Derek H. Burney, OC, LLD

Biography

Derek Burney assists clients in dealing with cross-border and domestic issues as well as trade and investment policy matters. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Burney played a central role in Canada's economic and political development during a career that involved senior positions in both the Canadian public and private sectors.

Mr. Burney entered the Canadian Foreign Service in 1963. He served for 7 years in Japan and for 3 years as Ambassador to Korea. At headquarters, initially as Assistant Deputy Minister for United States Affairs and then Associate Undersecretary, he helped launch the Free Trade initiative.

In 1987, Mr. Burney became Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, where he was directly involved in the negotiation and successful conclusion of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. Mr. Burney was appointed Canada's Ambassador to the United States in 1989. He served as the Prime Minister's personal representative in the preparations for the G-7 Summits in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and played a central role in the negotiations that led to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the conclusion of the Acid Rain Treaty.

Mr. Burney's career in the private sector began in 1993 upon his appointment as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Canada International (BCI). He oversaw successful investments by BCI in the United Kingdom, the United States, Asia and Latin America. From 1999 to 2004, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CAE Inc., enabling it to become a leading independent provider of commercial aviation training.

Mr. Burney headed the Conservative Transition Team following the federal election in early 2006 and in October 2007, Mr. Burney was appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to be on the Independent Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan which delivered its report in January 2008.

EDUCATION

• M.A., Queen's University, 1964
• B.A. (Hons.), Queen's University, 1962

Publications

• Getting It Done: A Memoir, McGill-Queen's University Press, 2005
• Twenty Years On, the Cassandras Are Still Wrong, article published in Policy Options, October 2007

Speaking Engagements

An Economic Check-up:  Complacency May Kill the Cat, Remarks to Association of Canadian General Counsel, Québec, May 31, 2007

Media Highlights

• National Post, Oct. 6, 2007
• Ottawa Citizen, Oct. 8, 2007

Rankings and Recognitions

• Public Service of Canada's Outstanding Achievement Award (1992)
• Officer of the Order of Canada (1993)
• Honorary doctorates of law from Lakehead, Queen's, Wilfrid Laurier and Carleton Universities

Memberships and Activities

• Senior Research Fellow, Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute
• Visiting Professor and Senior Distinguished Fellow, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University

Directorships

Current

• Chairman of the Board, CanWest Global Communications Corp.
• Director, TransCanada Pipelines Limited
• Chairman, International Advisory Board, GardaWorld
• Chairman, Confederation College Foundation

Past

• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bell Canada International (BCI)
• President and Chief Executive Officer, CAE Inc. (1999-2004)