Ian G. McKay

Ian Gerard McKay (born 1963) is a Canadian executive who has worked extensively in business and politics. On April 15, 2021, he was appointed as Canada's Ambassador to Japan by Global Affairs Canada [1][2] following his three-year tenure as CEO of Invest in Canada.[3][4] McKay is also recognized for assisting in the successful final negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Japan.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

Early life and education

McKay was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, and was raised in Penticton, British Columbia. He is the youngest of five boys. In July 1980, he was sent by his hometown to live in the town of Ikeda, on Japan’s island of Hokkaido. At the age of 16, he developed a lifelong appreciation for the country and for its language. Upon graduating from Penticton Secondary School in 1981, he returned to Japan as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. Following his studies, McKay worked and lived in Japan over the course of 14 years.

McKay studied Political Science and Asian Studies at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia; he received an MBA from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, in 2005.

Business background

Immediately following his studies at the University of British Columbia in 1987, McKay was recruited as a derivatives broker by EuroBrokers Investment Inc. in New York. Subsequently, he was seconded to EuroBrokers Tokyo office, becoming Managing Director in 1994. In 1998, McKay went to London and became joint Managing Director of EuroBrokers International in London. From 2006 - 2009, McKay was Director of Business Development for ICAP Capital Markets (Canada) Inc, working in the energy markets in Vancouver and Calgary.

Following 18 years in the financial markets, working in New York City, Tokyo, London and Vancouver, McKay served as a Senior Policy Advisor to three federal cabinet ministers in Ottawa. From March 2010 to May 2013 he served as the National Director for the Liberal Party of Canada.[11][12][13][14][15] Following his time in Ottawa, McKay returned to Vancouver where he served five years as the CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission, the City of Vancouver's economic development agency from 2013 until 2018.[16][17][18]

Political involvement

McKay entered federal politics as a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada in the 2000 general election, running as a candidate in the riding of West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast.[19] He also served as the treasurer for the British Columbia Liberal Party.

In 2001, McKay moved to Ottawa and served as senior policy advisor to three federal cabinet ministers; Minister of Industry, Allan Rock; Leader of the Government in the Senate, Jack Austin; and David Emerson, Minister of Industry. In 2010, McKay was appointed as the National Director of the Liberal Party of Canada.

References
  1. "Announcement of new diplomatic appointments". Government of Canada. Global Affairs Canada. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  2. "INVEST IN CANADA LOSES FIRST CEO AS IAN MCKAY TRANSITIONS TO AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN" as per BetaKit, April 15, 2021
  3. "Minister launches new agency, Invest in Canada, to pursue investors" as per The CBC, March 12, 2018
  4. "Vancouver Economic Commission CEO departs to lead new federal agency" as per Business Vancouver, March 12, 2018
  5. "The Liberal Party insider who saved the TPP trade deal" as per Macleans, February 14, 2018
  6. "In agreeing to TPP deal, Liberals hope to have secured a much-needed win on trade" as per The National Post, January 24, 2018
  7. "Federal government optimistic a Trans-Pacific trade deal within reach Tuesday" as per The National Post, January 22, 2018
  8. "Canada ‘hopeful’ a new Trans-Pacific trade deal is within reach Tuesday" as per The Toronto Star, January 22, 2018
  9. "Canada reaches deal on revised Trans-Pacific Partnership" as per The CBC, January 23, 2018
  10. "BIV on Roundhouse: How new TPP will help Canada make up lost ground in Japan trade" as per Business Vancouver, March 21, 2018
  11. "The Liberal Party of Canada Announces New National Director," Archived 2012-03-06 at the Wayback Machine from the Liberal Party of Canada Website, February 6, 2010
  12. "Liberals hire new national director, to focus on fundraising efforts," Archived 2012-07-13 at archive.today as published in the Hill Times, February 15, 2010
  13. "Ian McKay in Hill Climbers," Archived 2011-01-05 at the Wayback Machine as published in the Hill Times, April 19, 2010.
  14. "Ian McKay on Liberal Minute at Can150: Canada's first nation-wide interactive policy conference" the Liberal Minute, March, 2010.
  15. "National Director of the Liberal Party of Canada Speaks to Reporters - Prime Time," CPAC Digital Archives, April 3, 2013
  16. "The Vancouver Economic Commission Announces New CEO" as per the Vancouver Economic Commission's website, September 5, 2013
  17. ""Federal Liberal Party insider will head Vancouver Economic Commission: Mayor," as published in Business Vancouver, September 6, 2013". Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  18. "Largest Ever Vancouver-Led Business and Cultural Mission to China Set for November" Archived 2014-03-14 at the Wayback Machine as per PSF Studio, October 28, 2013
  19. "Pundit's Guide to Canadian Federal Elections, 2000", as published by punditsguide.ca
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