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Peter Harder

Senior Policy Advisor at Dentons & President Canada China Business Council

Peter Harder is a prominent Canadian public servant and policy advisor, currently serving as the Senior Policy Advisor at Dentons Canada LLP. With over 30 years of experience in public policy, he has held several significant positions within the Government of Canada, including Deputy Minister in various departments such as Foreign Affairs, Industry, and Citizenship and Immigration.12

Education and Early Career

Harder earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Waterloo and later completed a Master's degree at Queen's University. He began his career in public service in 1977, eventually rising to the rank of Deputy Minister in 1991. Throughout his career, he was involved in critical government initiatives and represented Canada at international summits, including three G8 meetings as the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister.14

Achievements

His contributions to public service have been recognized through several prestigious awards:

  • Prime Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award (2000)
  • Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal (2002)
  • Order of San Carlos from Colombia (2007) for his role in international relations.12

In addition to his advisory role at Dentons, Harder has served on various boards, including Power Financial Corporation and Northland Power. He was also the President of the Canada China Business Council from 2008 to 2016.125

Senate Career

In 2016, Harder was appointed as an Independent Senator representing Ontario. He served as the Government Representative in the Senate until 2019, where he played a crucial role in legislative processes and advocated for reforms aimed at increasing the Senate's independence and accountability.34

Overall, Peter Harder is recognized for his extensive expertise in international trade, public policy, and government relations, making him a key figure in Canadian governance and policy development.

Related Questions

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Peter Harder
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Location

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada