People

The Honourable Perrin Beatty, PC, OC is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canada’s largest and most representative national business association. He held that position from 2007 to 2024, making him the longest serving of the Canadian Chamber’s Presidents.

Perrin held the same role at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, a member-based organization ensuring that the manufacturing sector is recognized by the public and by policy makers as an innovative and important part of Canada’s economy.

Perrin was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Progressive Conservative in 1972. He spent 21 years in Parliament and served as Minister in seven different portfolios, including Treasury Board, National Revenue, Solicitor General, Defence, National Health and Welfare, Communications and External Affairs.

From 1995 to 1999, Perrin served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He also served as Chancellor of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology from 2008 to 2015.

Perrin is currently a member of the board of directors of Mitsui Canada and in 2018, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his lifetime of public service and for his devotion to the development of our nation as a community leader and corporate visionary. In 2020, the Government of Japan awarded Perrin the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, in recognition of his many distinguished achievements in international relations and advancements in Canada-Japan business relations.