CALGARY, AB Jan. 6, 2014 – The Canada West Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Geoff Plant as Chair of its Board of Directors. Plant, Partner at the Vancouver office of Heenan Blaikie LLP, will succeed Jim Dinning, who acted as Chair from 2010-2013. Jim Dinning will continue his relationship at the Foundation as Chair Emeritus.
“While a flourishing private sector is essential to the West’s prosperity, another essential element is the quality of our public policy,” says Plant. “I’m delighted to provide leadership to the Canada West Foundation, which challenges and supports our governments to be innovative and courageous. I am honoured to take on this role from outgoing Chair Jim Dinning, a western Canadian of great distinction.”
Geoff Plant has been on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2009. His esteemed career in politics included serving as the BC Attorney General and Minister responsible for Treaty Negotiations prior to joining Heenan Blaikie LLP in 2005. Since then, he has advised the BC government and led negotiations with First Nations, led a consultative planning process for the future of post-secondary education in BC and served as the City of Vancouver’s Project Civil City Commissioner. Plant currently serves on a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards, including as Board Chair of both Providence Health Care and the British Columbia Land Title & Survey Authority. Plant is the Canada West Foundation’s first Chair from British Columbia.
“Geoff epitomizes the traditions of the Foundation – thoughtfulness, vision and a deep commitment to making the West a better place,” notes President & CEO, Dylan Jones. “With the quality we have recently added to our team and another excellent Chair, the Foundation will be an even stronger voice for the policy changes needed for the West to flourish in the far more global future ahead.”
The Canada West Foundation exclusively focuses on the policies that shape the West’s quality of life. Through our evidence-based research and commentary, we provide the objective, practical solutions that governments need. For over 40 years, we have been a passionate advocate for western Canada.