The Canada West Foundation has named former provincial cabinet minister Gary Mar its new president and CEO, replacing Martha Hall Findlay, who left the organization in December.
Mar most recently served as president and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada. He previously served as a Progressive Conservative MLA representing Calgary from 1993 to 2007, during which time he held cabinet portfolios including community development, health, education and environment.
Mar also served as minister for international trade and Alberta’s representative in Asia and Washington, D.C.
“Canada is at an important crossroad for decision making,” Mar said in a statement. “The policies that are made at this time will determine the trajectory of Canada’s economic recovery. The natural resources of the West combined with right policy choices on human capital and trade and investment policies will support a recovery that places Canada in a leading position among G8 nations.”
Mar will take the helm of the organization April 15.
“It was critical to the board that our new President and CEO understand the major challenges facing the West at this particularly difficult time,” Ray Crossley, chair of the foundation’s board of directors, said in a statement.
“Mar’s national and international experience will serve the Canada West Foundation in its mission to advocate for policy that is good for the West and good for Canada.”
Hall Findlay stepped down
late last year
to take a position as senior vice-president and chief sustainability officer at Suncor. She served as Canada West’s president and CEO for three and a half years before her departure.
The Petroleum Services Association of Canada board of directors thanked Mar “for his leadership” after announcing his resignation, effective April 15.
“Gary has been a positive contributor to the association as it has demonstrated the value to Canadians across the country provided by the service, supply and manufacturing sector within Canada’s energy sector,” board chair and president Mark O’Byrne said.
Senior vice-president Elizabeth Aquin will assume the role of president and CEO in the interim until a permanent replacement is found.
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