Episode Details

Catherine Swift is a prominent Canadian economist, business leader, and advocate for entrepreneurship. She currently serves as President of the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers & Businesses of Canada (CCMBC), where she represents the interests of Canadian industry and small business.Swift has had a distinguished career spanning both the private and public sectors. She was President of Working Canadians from 2015 to 2021 and previously served as President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) from 1995 to 2014. Earlier in her career, she held the role of Chief Economist at CFIB (1987–1995) and worked as a Senior Economist with TD Bank (1983–1987). She also held several positions within the federal government between 1976 and 1983.A recognized voice in economic policy, Swift has written extensively on issues such as free trade, finance, entrepreneurship, and women in business. She has held leadership and board roles with numerous organizations, including the Empire Club of Canada, the C.D. Howe Institute, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages, and the International Small Business Congress. She currently serves as a Director of the Fraser Institute.Swift has been recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network and is a recipient of both the Queen’s Silver and Gold Jubilee Medals. She holds an Honours BA and an MA in Economics.