Derek Burney

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Derek Hudson Burney (born 1939) is a Canadian businessman. He is also a former diplomat and political strategist for the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney.

Contents 1 Life and career 2 Honours 3 Other 4 References

[edit] Life and career

Burney was born in Fort William, Ontario to George William Burney (1886-1951), a native of Westville, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and Annie Mary MacKay (1906-1995).

Burney attended Fort William Collegiate Institute. He then went on to study at Queen's University, where he received his B.A. in 1962 and his M.A. in 1964. He then entered the federal public service and the Canadian diplomatic corps, subsequently serving in Korea and Japan as ambassador. From 1987 to 1989 he served as Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

After leaving the post of Chief of Staff in 1989, Burney became Canada's ambassador to the United States. He would serve in this position until 1993.

Burney was then hired by Bell Canada and worked as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company from 1993 to 1999. He then moved to CAE Inc., serving as president and Chief Executive Officer until 2004. Among other things, he now teaches at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University.

The board of directors that Burney now sits on include CanWest Global Communications, Quebecor World Inc., and Shell Canada. Burney was formerly a director of CAE Inc. as well.

He is currently the president of the board of New Brunswick Power.

On January 24, 2006, it was announced by then Prime Minister-designate Stephen Harper that Burney would play a key role in the transfer of power from the Liberals of Paul Martin to the newly elected Conservatives.

[edit] Honours

Burney has received many honours in recognition of his work. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993, and has been conferred honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Lakehead University, Queen's University, Carleton University, and Wilfrid Laurier University.

[edit] Other

Burney's son, also named Derek, was the president of Corel Corporation for several years.

[edit] References

• Burney, Derek. Getting It Done: A Memoir. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2005. ISBN 0-7735-2926-8.

Preceded by: Allan Gotlieb

Canadian Ambassador to the United States of America 1989-1993

Succeeded by: John de Chastelain