A new think tank funded by former BlackBerry co-CEO Jim Balsillie has appointed ex-Sonos CEO Patrick Spence as chair and policy expert Vass Bednar as managing director. The Canadian Shield Institute, launched with a $10-million donation through the Council for Canadian Innovators, will focus on shaping Canada’s economic and defence policies.
Though affiliated with CCI, Bednar says Shield has a distinct mandate, aiming to influence innovation, infrastructure, tax reform, and strategic sectors like mining and health. Board members include CCI leaders Benjamin Bergen and John Ruffolo. Shield aims to fill a policy vacuum for Canada’s digital economy.
Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.