Pro-Wrestling, Trump & International Governance with Gary Mar, CEO of the Canada West Foundation

The Boardroom 180 Podcast

Munir Haque is joined by Gary Mar, President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation and former Member of the Legislative Assembly in Alberta from 1993 to 2007. Gary discusses the Canada West Foundation’s work and shares with Munir the differences between governmental governance and governance in industry. With his experience across different types of boards, Gary understands what makes a good one and what the purpose of a board truly is.

Governance is as good as the people holding board seats, much like the captain of any ship relies on a quality crew to know each of their jobs intimately. The stronger your hiring, the more your board can accomplish, and Gary’s experiences highlight this truth. In addition to his knowledge of governance, however, Gary understands the nuance of the natural resources sector as well as oil and gas interests, and the conversation Munir and Gary have is enlightening.

Gary Mar shares an intimate understanding of politics, policy-making, the needs of Western Canada, and trade agreements. His expertise extends into international corporations and he sheds light on how boards function in China and abroad. The needs of a well-functioning board come down to specific personality types and skill sets, and an understanding of the relationship between a CEO and the board is key. Munir avails himself of Gary Mar’s experience and knowledge to our benefit in this expansive interview.

About Gary Mar

Gary G. Mar is President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, an independent, non-partisan policy organization working to improve the lives of Canadians in the West and the country as a whole.

Gary’s background in government and business provided him with experience in the Canada West Foundation’s primary policy areas of trade and investment, natural resources and human capital. The foundation conducts evidence-based research and analysis to develop policy recommendations in areas such as international trade relationships, trade infrastructure, workforce development and the nexus of energy, environment and the economy.

Prior to joining the foundation, Gary served as President and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada where he represented the service, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. He also had a successful career in government serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Province of Alberta from 1993-2007 and holding several Cabinet portfolios. He then served as the Official Representative of the Province of Alberta at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. and as the Province of Alberta’s Representative in Asia.

Gary, who has a law degree from the University of Alberta, was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the institution’s School of Business in Marketing, Business Economics and Law and is also Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. In 2022 he was appointed as a member and chair of the Council of the Alberta Order of Excellence and was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for public service.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• “The Battle of the Billionaires” on YouTube

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Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development:

• Website: AEEDNow.com
• Linkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.
  
  

Contact Gary Mar:

• Website: CWF.ca
• LinkedIn
  
  

Podcast Production:

• Recording: PushySix Studios
• Production Assistance: Astronomic Audio
  
  

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Transcript

Gary Mar: [00:00:03] It’s a reciprocal obligation to provide to your board what you believe are the best strategies to move forward, but it’s also your board’s responsibility to bring in their body of experience to instruct the CEO so it really goes both ways. If you’ve got a good board, there should be no fear at all of the exchange of ideas and instruction.

Munir Haque: [00:00:27] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms where decisions shape the world around us. We'll hear the good, the bad and the ugly, but with a keen focus on where the gaps are, discover emerging best practices and real world tools to better evaluate, guide and grow you and your boards.

Munir Haque: [00:00:58] Welcome to The Boardroom 180 Podcast. Today we'll be speaking with Gary Mar. Gary is the president and CEO of Canada West Foundation, he's been that since 2020. He's an accomplished and respected leader with the deep knowledge of government and business and expertise in key policy areas of resources, environment and economy, skills, innovation and productivity, trade and trade infrastructure. Previously, Gary served as president and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada, the national trade association representing the service, supply and manufacturing sector within the upstream petroleum industry. Gary has broad expertise in government, having served as a member of the Legislative Assembly for the Province of Alberta from 1993 to 2007, so about 14 years. During this time, Gary held several cabinet portfolios including community development, health and wellness, education, environment, and international and intergovernmental relations. Gary has also served as the official representative or the Minister Counselor of Alberta at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, and as a Province of Alberta's representative in Asia from 2011 to 2015. After leaving government, Gary was an independent consultant, working with both Chinese and Canadian companies seeking assistance with trans pacific trade and investment. In 2016, he co-founded Canadian Advantage Petroleum Corporation, which successfully purchased heavy oil in Alberta and sold it directly to refineries in China. In 2022, Gary was appointed as a member of the chair of the Council of Alberta Order of Excellence, and was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for public service. Welcome to the podcast there, Gary. Thanks for making the time to be with us today.

Gary Mar: [00:02:47] It's my pleasure to be here, Munir. Thank you for having me.

Munir Haque: [00:02:50] We were challenged to find time with you. I think, when I first reached out to you, you were on a trip overseas, and so we had to wait for you to get back. But it sounds like you're a very popular guy. The mutual acquaintance that we have that had recommended you for this show, he said that anywhere he goes, you can't go to McDonald's with Gary and not have everybody stop and try to have a conversation with him. A couple weeks back, I ran into an old university colleague at the Global Energy Show here in Calgary, and I hadn't seen him for 14 years. I was mentioning people I was trying to get on the show, and I told him about you. And of course, he had a Gary Mar story...