| Location |
| 55 John Street , 7th Floor |
| Contact |
| Phone: (416) 981 3888 |
| Fax: (416) 214 4660 |
| Web |
| http://www.investtoronto.ca/ |
| Mission Statement |
Invest Toronto was created in September 2009 to market and promote the city to investors after the Toronto Economic Development Corporation was shelved.
Michael Bryant was appointed CEO in May 2009 and resigned as a cabinet minister in Premier Dalton McGuinty's government.
Board of Directors
The inaugural Board of Directors for Invest Toronto Inc. was confirmed by Toronto City Council on February 24, 2009.
The Board of of Invest Toronto is comprised of 15 directors:
Mayor David Miller, Chair
Councillor Kyle Rae, Director
- Chair of Council's Economic Development Committee
Mike Williams, Director
- General Manager of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Citizen Members of the Board:
Ann Buller, Vice-Chair
- President and CEO, Centennial College
- Director, Toronto Board of Trade
- Director, Ontario College Application Services
- Director, Association of Canadian Community Colleges
- Member, DiverseCity Steering Committee Committee
- Member, Helping Youth Pursue
- Education Member, Advisory Council, Intelligent Community Initiatives, Waterfront Revitalization Corporation
Alan Broadbent, Director
- Chairman and CEO, Avana Capital Corporation
- Chairman and CEO, The Maytree Foundation
- Chairman, Ideas That Matter
- Chairman, Diaspora Dialogues Society
- Chairman and Co-Founder, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance Member, Governors' Council, Toronto Public Library Foundation
Craig Brown, Director
- Partner and Chair, Emerging Global Business Group (Private Equity), Fasken Martineau
- DuMoulin LLP Co-leader, Fasken Martineau's India team and Ontario Regional Representative on China Team
- Board Member, Outward Bound Canada 2002-2006
- Founding Member, Street Kids International, and Board member 1989-1994
Alexandra Dagg, Director
- Executive Vice-President and Canadian Co-Director on UNITE HERE
- Former Member, Advisory Committee, Scadding Court Community Centre Investing in Diversity Award
Nick Di Donato, Director
- President and CEO, Liberty Entertainment Group
- Member, Board of Champions, Toronto
- Museum Project Member, Mayor's Economic Competitiveness Advisory Committee
- Director, Children's Charity Board of Variety Village
- Director, Tourism Toronto
- Member, Development Council, Hospital for Sick Children Foundation
Aleem Kanji, Director
- Manager, Public Affairs, Greater Toronto Airports Authority
- Former Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Toronto Board of Trade
- Former Senior Economist, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Peggy Nash, Director
- Senior Negotiator and Assistant to the President, Canadian Auto Workers Union
- Member, Canadian Labour Congress Executive Committee and Council
- Former Member, United Way Campaign Cabinet
- Founding Board Member, Equal Voice
- Former Member of Parliament
- International Election Observer, South Africa (1994) and Ukraine (2004 and 2007)
C. David Naylor, Director
- President, University of Toronto
- Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Member, Commission on Education for Global Health Leadership
- Member, Mayor's Economic Advisory Committee
- Former Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Former Ex Officio Member, Expert Panel on Infectious Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Corrado Paina, Director
- Executive Director, Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto
- Vice-President, European Union Chamber of Commerce in Toronto
- Member, Steering Committee, Toronto Forum for Global Cities
- Member, Working Committee, Partnership to Advance Youth Employment
- Member, Working Committee, Toronto's EXPO 2015 Bid
Hari Panday, Director
- President, Wealth Management, North America, and President and CEO, ICICI Wealth Management Inc.
- Former President and CEO, ICICI Bank Canada
- Member, Board, Harbourfront Centre
- Trustee, Royal Ontario Museum
- Governor, Roy Thomson Hall/Massey Hall
Geoffrey Reeves, Director
- Vice Chair, Board Member, and Managing Director, Fixed Income and Currencies, CIBC World Markets
- Member, Investment Banking and Fixed Income and Currency Management Committees, CIBC World Markets
- Former Chair and Board Member, Canissue Inc.
- Former Head, Debt Capital Markets, CIBC
- Fundraising Co-Chair, Greenwood College School
Mark Surman, Director
- Executive Director, Mozilla Foundation
- Former Open Philanthropy Fellow, Shuttleworth Foundation
- Former Managing Director, telecentre.org
- Former President, The Commons Group
September 15, 2009
- David Miller to replace Michael Bryant at Invest Toronto - By Brodie Fenlon, The Globe and Mail
Mayor David Miller will lead Invest Toronto on an interim basis, board member confirmed.
News Releases
News Release — February 23, 2009
City Approves New Boards of Directors for Build Toronto and Invest Toronto
Toronto has taken the next step in its plans to enhance Toronto's economic competitiveness. The new Boards of Directors for Build Toronto and Invest Toronto, proposed by the Mayor's Nomination Panel, were confirmed today by Toronto City Council. This new model was recommended in both the Blueprint for Fiscal Stability and Economic Prosperity and the Agenda for Prosperity.
"I am pleased to welcome these highly qualified and dedicated citizens to the boards of Build Toronto and Invest Toronto," said Mayor David Miller. "Especially in these challenging economic times, it is imperative that we better utilize the City's extensive real estate holdings and more effectively promote our City both at home and abroad so that we can retain and attract high quality jobs."
"Build Toronto and Invest Toronto are set to thrive given the proven records of success, global connections and business acumen of the citizen board members," said Councillor Kyle Rae, Chair of the Economic Development Committee (Ward 27 Toronto Centre-Rosedale). "Increasing Toronto's economic competitiveness and improving quality of life for all residents is critical to Toronto's long-term sustainability."
Invest Toronto will engage the private sector in promoting Toronto as an investment opportunity through marketing, conducting trade missions and coordinating with other governments and business. Build Toronto will engage private and public sector partners in the development of underutilized City real estate to unlock the value of those properties, stimulate the creation of desirable jobs and regenerate neighbourhoods.
Through maximizing the development potential of real estate assets, it is estimated that Build Toronto can generate significant employment and new revenue for the City. Through enhanced foreign investment marketing efforts, it is anticipated that Invest Toronto will attract hundreds of new jobs and substantial new commercial development.
The majority of members of the boards of both Build Toronto and Invest Toronto are comprised of private citizens. To ensure that the City's public policy interests are achieved, the Mayor will chair the boards of both corporations and the Chair of the Economic Development Committee of City Council and the General Manager of the City's Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Division will also serve as members. In the case of Build Toronto, the City's Chief Corporate Officer will be a member as well.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years, Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.
Media contacts: Stuart Green, Office of Mayor Miller, 416-338-7119, Councillor Kyle Rae, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Telephone 416-392-7903
News Release — May 25, 2009
Michael Bryant appointed Invest Toronto CEO
Mayor David Miller today announced the appointment of Michael Bryant as chief executive officer of Invest Toronto.
"Michael Bryant is exactly the person Invest Toronto needs in this important leadership role at this time of challenge and opportunity," Mayor David Miller said of Ontario's former economic development minister and MPP for St. Paul's.
"Michael has incredible qualifications and a longstanding record of dedication to the residents of Toronto," the Mayor added. "He will be a tremendous asset in advancing our City's position in the global economy while attracting investment and high quality jobs."
Invest Toronto was created in response to recommendations in both the Blueprint for Fiscal Stability and Economic Prosperity and the Agenda for Prosperity. It will engage the private sector in promoting Toronto as an opportunity for investment through marketing, trade missions and by coordinating activities with other governments and business.
"It's a huge honour to receive this appointment from Invest Toronto's board of directors and its chair, my mayor, David Miller," Mr. Bryant said." I am ready for this exciting opportunity to lead Invest Toronto and to help steer Toronto's economy through the current recession in order to increase the City's economic competitiveness and ensure its future prosperity."
Invest Toronto's board of directors approved Mr. Bryant's appointment unanimously on May 22. He assumes his new responsibilities in early June.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years, Toronto has won more than 70 awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. 2009 marks the 175th anniversary of Toronto's incorporation as a city. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.
Media Contact: Don Wanagas, Offfice of the Mayor, 416.338.7134
Michael Bryant
Michael Bryant has a background in politics, law, industry, public policy and management of billion-dollar budgets and investment funds. He was educated at Harvard University as a Fulbright Fellow, Osgoode Hall Law School as Silver Medallist, and the University of British Columbia, holding an LL.M., J.D., B.A. and M.A.
As industry minister for Ontario, he commenced his duties at the cusp of an unprecedented recession. During that time, his Ministry secured over $1.5 Billion of investments in manufacturing, info tech, clean tech, life science, and aerospace. He worked closely with global business leaders, large and small investors, entrepreneurs, all levels of government, and industry experts.
Bryant was given the lead for Ontario during the management of the auto industry crisis, working closely with the federal government, U.S. officials, and senior global managers at Chrysler, GM, Ford, Toyota and Honda. As Minister of Economic Development, Bryant launched Ontario's "Open for Business" program to streamline and simplify regulation development and compliance.
Bryant served for 10 years as Member of Provincial Parliament for a mid-town Toronto constituency, winning elections in 1999, 2003 and 2007. He was awarded Now Magazine's Best Toronto MPP for 2008.
Previously, Bryant was Ontario's Attorney General, serving throughout the McGuinty Government's first four-year term as its Chief Legal Officer. During that time, Bryant legalized paralegals, fixed election dates, banned pit bulls, resurrected the Law Reform Commission, called three public inquiries, established Canada's first-ever Organized Justice prosecutor-police operations center; and overhauled the human rights system, civilian oversight of police, and the Justice of the Peace bench.
As Aboriginal Affair's Minister in 2007-08, Bryant personally negotiated a multi-billion dollar revenue sharing agreement with Ontario First Nations; he returned Ipperwash Provincial Park to its First Nation; and established the $25 Million New Relationship Fund. As House Leader in 2007-08, Bryant reformed the legislature rules to establish morning Question Periods and full-day legislative sessions.
He practiced law as a commercial litigator in Toronto at McCarthy Tetrault, clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada, and taught law and politics at the University of Toronto, Osgoode Hall, and King's College (London). Bryant has published articles and books on public affairs and law.
CEO Resignation — September 2, 2009
Michael Bryant Volunteers Resignation as CEO of Invest Toronto
TORONTO, Sept. 2 /CNW/ - Michael Bryant today volunteered his resignation as CEO of Invest Toronto. His letter to His Worship David Miller follows:
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
His Worship David Miller Mayor of the City of Toronto Toronto City Hall 2nd Floor 100 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Sent via facsimile: 416-696-3687
Dear Mayor Miller:
I write to resign as CEO of Invest Toronto with immediate effect.
It was a huge honour to serve the City of Toronto by helping to steer Toronto's economy through these remarkable economic times and to put together the framework for Invest Toronto.
I am deeply grateful for your confidence and the Invest Toronto Board of Directors' belief in my ability to take on such an important role. It is one that I loved and leave with considerable regret.
I do not believe, however, that I can continue in this position on account of the circumstances of the past two days.
Let me be clear: I am innocent of the very serious accusations made against me. It would, however, be unfair to you, the Board and above all to the residents of Toronto to allow this event to distract from the vital efforts of Invest Toronto.
The CEO of Invest Toronto is a position that demands the full attention and energy of its owner. Torontonians demand no less.
Yours sincerely, Michael Bryant
For further information: Dan Robertson, (416) 642-4736, [email protected]
Mayor's Statement — September 2, 2009
Mayor's statement on the resignation of Michael Bryant
"Today, I accepted the resignation of Michael Bryant as CEO of Invest Toronto.
I want to thank Mr. Bryant for his part in getting the work of establishing Invest Toronto off the ground. His vision for this organization was clear and his commitment obvious. He is a dedicated public servant with a unique gift that will be missed at Invest Toronto.
His contributions during his regrettably brief tenure will go a long way to helping Invest Toronto as we go about fulfilling our mandate to attract international business investment and economic development to this great city.
The events of Monday evening were tragic and sad on many levels.
My condolences remain with the family and friends of Darcy Allan Sheppard.
My thoughts are also with Mr. Bryant and his family at this difficult time."
Please note: Mayor Miller is not available for further comment.
Stuart Green, Deputy Director of Communications Office of Mayor David Miller
p: 416-338-7119 e: [email protected]
