Ontario Investment and Trade Advisory Council

The Ontario Investment and Trade Advisory Council (OITAC), chaired by Monte Kwinter, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade draws on the expertise and contacts of Ontario business leaders. The Council:

• Identifies prospective investment and trade opportunities for Ontario;
• Promotes Ontario as a premier location for business investment and for business immigration;
• Promotes Ontario's exporting messages and contributes to the building of an exporting culture within the business community;
• Identifies the potential for international linkages that could lead to new investment and export opportunities;
• Provides advice to the Minister on how the Ministry can increase the effectiveness of its investment and trade programs; and
  
  

Ontario Investment and Trade Advisory Council members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council at the recommendation of the Minister.

LIEVONEN, MARK

J. Mark Lievonen, of Markham, is President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited and a member of the company's North American Board of Directors. Mr. Lievonen is also Chair of the Board of the Ontario Genomics Institute, Vice-Chair of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and YORKbiotech and a member of the Board of Directors of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. In the past, he has also served as Chair of BIOTECanada (2000-2003) and the Steering Committee for BIO 2002 International Conference. Mr. Lievonen was a recipient of a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Business Administration in finance and marketing from the Schulich School of Business, York University.

ALLAN, MARY ELYSE

As President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Canada, Mary Elyse Allan works to advance the company's leadership in energy infrastructure, technology, media, and financial services. Ms. Allan contributes to Canadian public policy as a Board member of nationally recognized organizations such as the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, C.D. Howe Institute, and the Public Policy Forum. She was recently appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Finance. In addition, Ms. Allan is an active member of her community serving as a Director of the Royal Ontario Museum and as former Chair of Providence Healthcare.

VANDER LAAN, HENRY J (HANK)

Henry Vander Laan, of London, was Founder, President and Chair of Trojan Technologies. Prior to this, Mr. Vander Laan spent 15 years as Vice President of Operations at Canadian Cable Systems (now Rogers). His current community involvement includes serving as Vice Chair of the University of Western Ontario Board of Governors and member of the London Biotechnology Commercialization Center. Mr. Vander Laan was Founding Chair of Tech Alliance London, member of the University of Western Ontario Research Park and member of the Board of the Ontario Clean Water Legacy Trust.

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WALKER, DONALD

In 1987, Don Walker, of King City, joined Magna International Inc. where he held several progressively responsible positions advancing from Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer to his current position as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. He is a founding member of the Yves Landry Advisory Foundation, past Chair of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) and Co-Chair of the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC). Mr. Walker has been awarded with the Wall Street Transcript Gold Award, was named Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum, received the Professional Engineers of Ontario Gold Medal Award and the Top 40 under 40 Award in Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

DAS GUPTA, SANKAR

Dr. Sankar Das Gupta, of Mississauga, is Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Electrovaya Inc. Dr. Das Gupta is a well known inventor and holds approximately 40 US patents. He holds a PhD in Electrochemistry from the University of London's Imperial College.

JHA, ADITYA CHANDRA

After having a successful career as General Manager with Bell Canada and Bell Nexxia, Aditya Jha, of Mississauga, co-founded Isopia Inc., Osellus Inc., Canada, and Osellus Asia Pacific Company Limited, Thailand. Mr. Jha is a member of the Ryerson Faculty of Business Campaign Cabinet.

GOLDFARB, MARTIN

Martin Goldfarb, of Toronto, is an entrepreneur and a leading expert in the study of human behaviour. In 1966 Mr. Goldfarb established Goldfarb Consultants, a market research consulting firm. By 1998, Goldfarb Consultants was an international leader in market research with 26 offices around the world. Mr. Goldfarb is currently a Principal at Goldfarb Intelligence Marketing and Chair, President and CEO of the Goldfarb Corporation. He has been designated an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his pioneering work in the market research industry and philanthropic endeavours.

MACDONALD, JACK CARNELL

Jack MacDonald is Chief Executive Officer of Compass Group PLC. Mr. MacDonald has served as Chair of the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research, member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, and member of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative Foundation. Mr. MacDonald is a member of the Canadian Dietetic Association. He earned his Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science from Humber College.