Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a Crown corporation under the international trade portfolio supporting Canadian exporters in markets abroad. The minister of international trade is accountable to Parliament for the governance and performance of EDC.

The Export Development Act, which governs EDC, requires the government to appoint a chair, who holds office indefinitely. Conventionally, the chair’s term lasts four years.

The chairperson provides strategic and corporate planning and direction, implements modern corporate governance principles and best practices and serves as EDC’s interlocutor with senior government officials.

Heather Cuthbert, EDC’s vice-chair, has been acting as interim chair since July 2017.

The appointment of the EDC chair was a result of the Government of Canada’s new recruitment approach for Governor-in-Council appointments, which includes open, transparent and merit-based processes that attract high-quality candidates while reflecting gender parity and Canada’s diversity.