Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. to Speak at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Hon. Michael H. Wilson, O.C., ambassador of Canada to the United States, will deliver a major address on Oct. 25 at the University at Buffalo.

Wilson -- who also has served as Canada's minister of finance, minister of industry, science and technology, and minister for international trade -- will discuss "Canada's Commitment to a Continental and Global Agenda."

He will speak at 3 p.m. in the Drama Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus. His address will be followed by a question-and-answer period and reception. His talk, sponsored by the Office of the President in conjunction with UB's Office of International Education, will be free and open to the public.

Wilson assumed his responsibilities as ambassador on March 13, 2006, becoming the 22nd representative of Canada to the United States.

He previously was chairman of UBS Canada, an operating division of UBS AG, one of the world's leading financial institutions. He oversaw all UBS operations in Canada, including the investment bank, pension fund management and wealth management businesses.

Prior to joining UBS in July 2001, he was responsible for RBC Financial Group's institutional asset management business. He also served as vice chairman of RBC Dominion Securities, responsible for senior client relationships and advice to both Canadian and international companies and governments.

In 1979, Wilson was elected to Canada's House of Commons. In September 1984, he was appointed Canada's minister of finance and remained in that role until May 1991. He then became minister of industry, science and technology, and minister for international trade.

Prior to his career in public life, Wilson was in investment banking with responsibilities in corporate, government and international finance. He was director of a number of companies, including BP P.L.C. and Manulife Financial.

He is active in a number of professional and community organizations, including NeuroScience

Canada Partnership, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Consul for Public-Private Partnerships and the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance.

An officer of the Order of Canada, Wilson holds honorary degrees from the University of Toronto and York University.