Michael Bryant appointed Invest Toronto CEO
News Release — May 25, 2009
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.
