Catherine Swift

Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada

Catherine Swift has been with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) since 1987 and became Chairwoman in 1999 after being named Chief Executive Officer in 1997 and President in 1995. She first served CFIB as Vice-President of Research and Chief Economist, then as Senior Vice-President, Provincial Affairs; Senior Vice-President, Administration; Senior Vice-President, Legislative Affairs; and subsequently Executive Vice-President. Ms. Swift is a CFIB Board Governor and Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Board.

Ms. Swift worked with the federal government in Ottawa from 1976 to 1983, holding several positions with the Departments of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Industry and Communications. Her areas of specialization included corporate and industrial analysis, international trade, and computer communications. From 1983 to 1987, Ms. Swift was Senior Economist with the Toronto-Dominion Bank in the Department of Economic Research.

Ms. Swift is a Past President of the Empire Club, a Director of the C.D. Howe Institute, a board member of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, and a member of the Executive Committee of the International Small Business Congress. She was cited as one of the top 100 most powerful women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network in 2003.

She studied at the University of Toronto and Carleton University in Ottawa, obtaining a BA (honors) in economics in 1977 and an MA in economics in 1980. She has published numerous articles in journals, magazines, and other media.

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