The Honourable Barbara J. McDougall, P.C., O.C., C.F.A., L.L.D
Mrs. McDougall is an advisor at Aird & Berlis, counseling clients on matters of international business development, corporate governance and government relations.
Barbara McDougall was a Member of Parliament for nine years and held several cabinet posts, including: Finance (Minister of State), Privatization, Employment and Immigration, and finally External Affairs. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto, a Chartered Financial Analyst and has an honorary doctorate from St. Lawrence University. She is now a Senior Resident at Massey College, University of Toronto.
Mrs. McDougall is widely recognized for her expertise in international relations and is frequently invited by the media to comment on current events. Her extensive knowledge and interest in international policy have led her to sit as a Canadian representative to the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington and The International Crisis Group in Brussels, She recently completed a term as the Canadian representative on the International Advisory Board for the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. She is also a director of the Institute for Research on Public Policy in Montreal. Recently she completed a five year term as President of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs.
Barbara McDougall is a director of several Canadian corporations including Bank of Nova Scotia, The Independent Order of Foresters, Stelco Inc and Unique Solutions Design Ltd. She chairs the Canadian Retailers Advancing Responsible Trade. She was formerly chairperson of AT&T Canada Long Distance Services, and served on the boards of National Trust, Systemhouse Inc., Avenor Inc., Sun Media and Corel Corporation prior to their takeovers or mergers. She served a term as a public governor of The Toronto Stock Exchange, and frequently participates in educational seminars on corporate governance.
Mrs. McDougall is an honourary governor of York University, a director of the Canadian Opera House Corporation, and the founding Chairperson of the Patron's Council of the Toronto Association for Community Living.
Prior to entering politics, Mrs. McDougall worked in various sectors within the financial community, largely as a financial analyst, in Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto. She was also a columnist and television commentator.
She plays tennis and would like to play it better, and occasionally picks her way down the ski hill. She enjoys music of almost all kinds, but especially opera and jazz piano. She can often be found conducting the music emanating from her stereo.
Mrs. McDougall is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
