Who We Are
The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) came to life in March of 1987, as the Reagan administration was negotiating the original Free Trade Agreement with the government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. During this monumental moment in history, the Council emerged as a bilateral voice advocating for cross-border commerce in both capitals.
Three decades after its formation, the Council has evolved into the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors. The Council meets with presidents, prime ministers, governors, premiers, members of Parliament, and members of Congress. It is where legislators, media, and business figures turn for guidance on navigating—and defining—the exemplary relationship between the US and Canada.
What We Do
The Council's activities include high-level briefings on relevant issues of concern, assistance with practical trade and policy challenges, relationship-building opportunities, and informative seminars. We convene dialogues, advocate on key issues, and raise awareness about the unique relationship between the US and Canada.
Guiding Principles
Our guiding principles are four deeply held beliefs that inform and inspire our work.
Ensuring an open border between the US and Canada is critical to the livelihood of millions of Canadians and Americans, not to mention integral to the flow of goods and services for all of North America. The Council advocates that the border remains open to essential commerce and improves the efficiency of border-crossing for both goods and people.
The Council understands that the US and Canada are central to each other’s prosperity. Since its formation, the Council has fought against regulatory disharmony, encouraged both countries to align on bilateral principles of standardization, and supported decreased labor mobility barriers between countries. We stand up to protectionist policies and work to build cooperative approaches to economic recovery.
The military cooperation, intelligence- sharing, and security alliance between the US and Canada is unparalleled. The Council advocates for policies that advance security for both nations and the world.
The US and Canada are both dedicated to being world leaders in innovation, technology, data, and artificial intelligence. The Council champions policies that reduce barriers to cross-border data flows and advances innovation initiatives.
The Council has proudly authored papers and assembled task forces to advocate for the US and Canada, including the Innovation Paper, the USMCA Top 10 List, and the Digital Task Force.
Guiding Principles
Our guiding principles are four deeply held beliefs that inform and inspire our work.
Ensuring an open border between the US and Canada is critical to the livelihood of millions of Canadians and Americans, not to mention integral to the flow of goods and services for all of North America. The Council advocates that the border remains open to essential commerce and improves the efficiency of border-crossing for both goods and people.
The Council understands that the US and Canada are central to each other’s prosperity. Since its formation, the Council has fought against regulatory disharmony, encouraged both countries to align on bilateral principles of standardization, and supported decreased labor mobility barriers between countries. We stand up to protectionist policies and work to build cooperative approaches to economic recovery.
The military cooperation, intelligence- sharing, and security alliance between the US and Canada is unparalleled. The Council advocates for policies that advance security for both nations and the world.
The US and Canada are both dedicated to being world leaders in innovation, technology, data, and artificial intelligence. The Council champions policies that reduce barriers to cross-border data flows and advances innovation initiatives.
The Council has proudly authored papers and assembled task forces to advocate for the US and Canada, including the Innovation Paper, the USMCA Top 10 List, and the Digital Task Force.
Board of Directors
- Nancy Ziuzin SchlegelLockheed MartinCABC Chair
- Jennifer M SloanMastercardCABC Past Chair
- Hélène V GagnonCAECABC First Vice Chair
- Cathy WordenCisco CanadaCABC Second Vice Chair
- Kevin KolevarDowCABC Third Vice Chair
- Gabe BatstoneContextereCABC Treasurer
- Joanne ZimolzakDykemaGeneral Counsel
- Lesia BabiakJohnson & Johnson
- Megan BoyleRed Bull
- Kathryn BurtonSparks Street Capital
- Carolyn ChisholmRio Tinto
- Gary ClementTD
- Giselle CommissiongHatch
- Lindsay DoyleGoogle Canada
- Janet DrysdaleCN
- Paul DyckWalmart
- Christina ErlingBarrick Gold Corporation
- Marlene FloydMicrosoft
- Tom GannonH&R Block
- Tamon GeorgeCreative Theory Agency
- Steven HoguePfizer
- Craig KellyExxonMobil
- Robert KlagerShell Canada Ltd.
- Catherine LoubierExecutive / Advisor
- Arielle Meloul-WechslerAir Canada
- Mack MooreConocoPhillips
- A.J. NicholsVale
- Wendy NossMotion Picture Association - Canada
- Clint OdomT-Mobile
- Joanne PitkinAmazon
- Pierre PyunBombardier Inc.
- Edward RihnBerkshire Hathaway Energy Canada
- Alexander RussAssociation of Equipment Manufacturers
- Pete SheffieldEnbridge Inc.
- Lena TrudeauFu Associates, Ltd.
Our Members
Our members are business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border, ranging from entrepreneurs to the largest brands in the world. Collectively, the Council employs about two million people and has annual revenues of approximately $1.5 trillion USD.
Interested in becoming a member of the Council? Find out more.
- Airbnb
- Air Canada
- Alcoa
- Amazon
- American Petroleum Institute
- Association of Canadian Port Authorities
- Association of Equipment Manufacturers
- Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association
- Barrick Gold
- Beauty Revolution
- Becker & Poliakoff P.A.
- Berkshire Hathaway Energy Canada
- Bombardier
- BMO
- CAE
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
- Canada's Building Trades Unions
- Canadian Steel Producers Association
- Capital Power
- Chegg
- Cisco
- CN
- ConocoPhillips
- Contextere
- Council of the Great Lakes Region
- Creative Theory Agency
- DLA Piper
- DoorDash
- Dow
- EcoMundo
- Electricity Canada
- Elemental Clean Fuels
- Eli Lilly
- Enbridge
- Exxon Mobil
- Forest Products Association of Canada
- Fu Associates
- General Electric
- Glen Dimplex Americas
- Google Canada
- H&R Block
- Hatch
- InstarAGF
- Johnson & Johnson
- Keurig Dr Pepper
- Lockheed Martin
- Manulife Financial
- Maple Business Council
- Mastercard Canada
- Microsoft
- Motion Picture Association - Canada
- OpenText
- Parkland Corporation
- Pathways Alliance
- Pfizer
- Power Corporation of Canada
- Red Bull
- Rio Tinto
- SAP
- Sazerac
- SBA Communications
- Shell Canada
- Sparks Street Capital
- T-Mobile
- TD Bank Group
- Teck Resources
- UCS Forest Group of Companies
- UPS
- Vale Base Metals
- Walmart
- WestJet
Advisory Board
The CABC Advisory Board is composed of former ambassadors to Canada and the US and key political leaders with experience navigating bilateral issues as senior elected leaders.
- Rona AmbroseLeader of the Conservative Party of Canada2015-2017
- Navdeep BainsMinister of Innovation, Science, and Industry2015-2021
- John BairdMinister of Foreign Affairs2011-2015
- James BlanchardUS Ambassador to Canada1993–1996
- Scott BrisonPresident of the Treasury Board2015-2019
- Derek BurneyCanadian Ambassador to US1989-1993
- John de ChastelainCanadian Ambassador to US1993-1994
- Raymond ChrétienCanadian Ambassador to US1994-2000
- Christy ClarkPremier of British Columbia2011-2017
- Kelly CraftUS Ambassador to the United Nations2019-2021
- Kenneth CurtisUS Ambassador to Canada1979-1981
- Howard DeanGovernor of Vermont1991-2003
- Gary DoerCanadian Ambassador to US2009-2016
- Gordon D. GiffinUS Ambassador to Canada1997-2001
- Pamela Goldsmith-JonesParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade2015-2019
- David JacobsonUS Ambassador to Canada2009-2013
- Heidi HeitkampUnited States Senator for North Dakota2013-2019
- Michael KerginCanadian Ambassador to US2000-2006
- Ron KirkUnited States Trade Representative2009-2013
- John LaFalceMember of the US House of Representatives1975-2003
- Wilton LittlechildGrand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations2016-2019
- John ManleyDeputy Prime Minister2002-2003
- Sergio MarchiMinister of International Trade1997-1999
- Barbara McDougallMember of the Canadian House of Commons and Member of Cabinet1984-1993
- Frank McKennaCanadian Ambassador to US2005-2006
- James MooreMinister of Industry2013-2015
- Thomas M.T. NilesUS Ambassador to Canada1985-1989
- Bill OwensU.S. House of Representatives2009-2015
- Lisa RaittMinister of Transport2013-2015
- Edward G. RendellGovernor of Pennsylvania2003-2011
- Paul H. RobinsonUS Ambassador to Canada1981-1985
- Peter TeeleyUS Ambassador to Canada1992-1993
- Brad WallPremier of Saskatchewan2007-2018
- David WilkinsUS Ambassador to Canada2005-2009
Entrepreneur's Circle
The Entrepreneurs Circle (EC) is an invitation-only arm of the CABC formed in 2019 to give a voice to entrepreneurs in the Canada/US relationship. The EC provides an opportunity for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs to drive impact in the larger policy discussions at the heart of the Canada/US relationship and to enhance the environment for successful business creation and expansion in North America.
Passionate about US-Canada relations? Apply to join EC here.
- Jay TannonCo-Chair, DLA Piper
- Lena TrudeauCo-Chair, CABC
- Robert BartucciChief Executive, Glen Dimplex Americas
- Chris BerardiniBecker & Poliakoff P.A.
- Bill OwensU.S. House of Representatives (2009-2015)
- George SoManaging Partner, InstarAGF
- Warren SpitzPresident & CEO, UCS Forest Group
- Zachary SteeleCo-Head, Fusion Fuels
- Alexandra ZanellaBeauty Revolution
