Famous Canadian Economists

Mark Carney is a Canadian economist and banker who has held several prominent roles in the financial sector. He served as the governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013, followed by a term as the governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020. Carney has also worked at Goldman Sachs and the Department of Finance Canada. He currently chairs the Financial Stability Board and serves as the UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, in addition to his roles at Brookfield Asset Management and Bloomberg Inc.

Michel Chossudovsky is a Canadian economist and author, serving as professor emeritus of economics at the University of Ottawa. He is also the president and director of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG) and the website globalresearch.ca. Chossudovsky has been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories, particularly about 9/11. The CRG has been accused of spreading pro-Russian propaganda and being a proxy for Russian disinformation campaigns by NATO's Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence and the U.S. State Department, respectively.

Robert Mundell was a distinguished Canadian economist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to monetary dynamics, optimum currency areas, and supply-side economics. He was a professor at Columbia University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Mundell received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1999 for his pioneering research. He played a pivotal role in the development of the euro currency and was instrumental in the advancement of the Mundell-Fleming model and Mundell-Tobin effect, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in the field of economics.

Robert Bourassa was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 22nd premier of Quebec for a total of just under 15 years. A member of the Liberal Party of Quebec, he held office from 1970 to 1976 and from 1985 to 1994. Bourassa's tenure was characterized by significant events impacting Quebec, such as the October Crisis and his involvement in the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords. He played a prominent role in shaping Quebec's political landscape during his time in office.

Myron Samuel Scholes is a renowned Canadian-American financial economist, known for co-creating the influential Black–Scholes options pricing model. He has held various prominent positions in the financial industry, including as the Frank E. Buck Professor of Finance at Stanford Graduate School of Business, chairman of the Board of Economic Advisers at Stamos Capital Partners, and roles at Long-Term Capital Management and Salomon Brothers. Scholes, along with Robert C. Merton, received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1997 for their groundbreaking work on valuing derivatives.

Harold Adams Innis was a Canadian professor at the University of Toronto, known for his influential works on media, communication theory, and Canadian economic history. He developed the staples thesis, examining how Canada's culture and economy were shaped by the exploitation of key resources. Innis's writings highlighted the role of media in civilizations, emphasizing the balance between oral and written communication. He founded the Toronto School of communication theory and advocated for Canadian scholarly independence and resistance against American imperialism. His work continues to impact scholars and thinkers today.

Simon Newcomb was a prominent Canadian-American astronomer, mathematician, and polymath known for his extensive contributions to various fields. Serving as a Mathematics Professor in the United States Navy and at Johns Hopkins University, he achieved a B.S. degree from Harvard despite limited formal education. Newcomb's work in timekeeping, economics, statistics, and applied mathematics was highly influential. He was also multilingual and authored numerous popular science books, demonstrating his broad expertise and intellectual curiosity.

Jacques Parizeau was a prominent Québecois economist and Canadian politician known for his advocacy of Quebec sovereignty. He served as the 26th premier of Quebec from September 1994 to January 1996. Parizeau played a crucial role in shaping the province's economic policies and was dedicated to advancing the cause of independence for Quebec. His professional life was marked by his contributions to economic theory and his leadership in the political arena, particularly in relation to Quebec's pursuit of sovereignty.

Don Tapscott is a Canadian business executive, author, and consultant known for his expertise in business strategy, organizational transformation, and the impact of technology on business and society. As the CEO of the Tapscott Group and Executive Chairman of the Blockchain Research Institute, he has made significant contributions in exploring the potential of blockchain technology. Tapscott is a sought-after speaker and has authored several books on topics such as technology, innovation, and the digital age, establishing himself as a thought leader in the industry.

Jacob Viner was a prominent Canadian economist known for his significant contributions to the field of political economy. He was considered one of the leading figures of the early Chicago school of economics in the 1930s and a key mentor to influential economists such as Frank Knight and Henry Simons. Paul Samuelson recognized him as one of the "American saints in economics" born after 1860. Viner's work and teachings continue to have a lasting impact on the study of economics.

Harry Gordon Johnson was a prominent Canadian economist known for his contributions to the fields of international trade and finance. He was revered by Nobel laureate James Tobin and considered a leading figure in the economics profession during the mid-20th century. Johnson held prestigious professorships at institutions such as the University of Chicago, Manchester University, and the London School of Economics. He also served as Editor of the Journal of Political Economy and was recognized with honors from both the Canadian and American Economic Associations.

Yuen Pau Woo is a Canadian politician serving as a senator from British Columbia since 2016. Prior to his political career, he held the position of facilitator of the Independent Senators Group from September 2017 to January 2022. Woo also has experience as the president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, a prominent think-tank focusing on Canada–Asia relations. His professional journey showcases a commitment to public service, leadership roles, and a deep involvement in shaping Canada's relationships with the Asia-Pacific region.