David J. Mitchell
Encyclopedia
David Joseph Mitchell is a Canadian writer
, former politician
, university administrator, businessman and political commentator. He is currently the President & CEO of the Public Policy Forum, an Ottawa-based NGO dedicated to improving the quality of government in Canada through enhanced dialogue among the public, private and voluntary sectors.
in Burnaby, British Columbia
. He served as Editor and Archivist
at the British Columbia Provincial Archives. He is a self-confessed 'political junkie', who is a frequent commentator on Canadian politics and public life on radio and television. He has won awards for his writing, and is a former newspaper columnist (Vancouver Sun 1996-98; Business in Vancouver 1995-98).
He has authored a number of books about politics and history in BC:
Mitchell has also worked as an executive in the forestry industry and in resource industries in western Canada (1984-1990).
and legislative processes as Deputy Clerk of the Saskatchewan Legislature (1981-84). He was elected in 1991 to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
, for the Liberal Party
, in the riding of West Vancouver-Garibaldi. He was the party's House Leader
, but resigned his position as a result of a rift over the Charlottetown constitutional accord. He sat the remainder of his term, until 1996, as an "Independent". During his term, he was a watchdog on a broad range of issues including resource management, labour relations, advanced education, and parliamentary reform.
from 1997 to 2002, where he was responsible for fundraising, alumni relations, media and public relations, and government affairs. SFU raised over $65 million under his direction and significally expanded its campus in downtown Vancouver.
He became Vice-President of University Relations at the University of Ottawa
in September 2002. He led the university through a major re-branding initiative, and helped launch the largest fundraising campaign in the university's history, which exceeded its $200 million objective a year ahead of schedule. While in Ottawa
, he served on the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
.
In September 2007, he moved to Queen's University
, assuming the post of Vice-Principal (Advancement). In January 2009, he returned to Ottawa to take a new position as president and CEO of the Public Policy Forum
, an independent, non-partisan NGO that specializes in convening Canadian leaders on issues of public service and governance.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, former politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, university administrator, businessman and political commentator. He is currently the President & CEO of the Public Policy Forum, an Ottawa-based NGO dedicated to improving the quality of government in Canada through enhanced dialogue among the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Education, writings
Mitchell holds a Master's degree in Canadian and American history from Simon Fraser UniversitySimon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
in Burnaby, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He served as Editor and Archivist
Archivist
An archivist is a professional who assesses, collects, organizes, preserves, maintains control over, and provides access to information determined to have long-term value. The information maintained by an archivist can be any form of media...
at the British Columbia Provincial Archives. He is a self-confessed 'political junkie', who is a frequent commentator on Canadian politics and public life on radio and television. He has won awards for his writing, and is a former newspaper columnist (Vancouver Sun 1996-98; Business in Vancouver 1995-98).
He has authored a number of books about politics and history in BC:
- W.A.C. Bennett and the rise of British Columbia, Vancouver 1983, Douglas & McIntyre, (ISBN 0-88894-395-4). A biography of W. A. C. Bennett.
- Succession: the political reshaping of British Columbia, 1986 (ISBN 0-88894-566-3). A synopsis of the Social Credit administrations since W.A.C. Bennett.
- All aboard!: the Canadian Rockies by train, 1995 (ISBN 1-55054-419-5)
- The Hongkong Bank of Canada Story -- Origin & Early Years, 1996
- British Columbia's business leaders of the century, 1999 (editor)
Family, business career
He is the father of two daughters, and is married to author and media critic, Shari Graydon.Mitchell has also worked as an executive in the forestry industry and in resource industries in western Canada (1984-1990).
Political career
He gained experience in parliamentary procedureParliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies...
and legislative processes as Deputy Clerk of the Saskatchewan Legislature (1981-84). He was elected in 1991 to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
, for the Liberal Party
British Columbia Liberal Party
The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election...
, in the riding of West Vancouver-Garibaldi. He was the party's House Leader
House Leader
In Canada, each political party with representation in the House of Commons has a House Leader who is a front bench Member of Parliament and an expert in parliamentary procedure...
, but resigned his position as a result of a rift over the Charlottetown constitutional accord. He sat the remainder of his term, until 1996, as an "Independent". During his term, he was a watchdog on a broad range of issues including resource management, labour relations, advanced education, and parliamentary reform.
University administrator
He served as Vice-President of External Relations at Simon Fraser UniversitySimon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
from 1997 to 2002, where he was responsible for fundraising, alumni relations, media and public relations, and government affairs. SFU raised over $65 million under his direction and significally expanded its campus in downtown Vancouver.
He became Vice-President of University Relations at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
in September 2002. He led the university through a major re-branding initiative, and helped launch the largest fundraising campaign in the university's history, which exceeded its $200 million objective a year ahead of schedule. While in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, he served on the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra is a full size orchestra in Ottawa including professional, student and amateur musicians. With around 100 musicians, the OSO is Ottawa's largest orchestra, which allows it to perform large symphonic repertoire of the 19th and 20th centuries, including works by...
.
In September 2007, he moved to Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, assuming the post of Vice-Principal (Advancement). In January 2009, he returned to Ottawa to take a new position as president and CEO of the Public Policy Forum
Public Policy Forum
The Public Policy Forum , is an independent, non-profit Canadian think-tank for public-private dialogue . The organization's stated aim is "to serve as a neutral, independent forum for open dialogue on public policy"...
, an independent, non-partisan NGO that specializes in convening Canadian leaders on issues of public service and governance.