Infrastructure and Communities Minister Catherine McKenna has announced the appointment of Tamara Vrooman as chairperson of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, effective January 27, 2021.
“Tamara is an excellent choice for chair of the Canada Infrastructure Bank,” said Catherine McKenna, minister of infrastructure and communities. “She brings a strong financial and infrastructure background, and important leadership skills to the role.”
“Tamara is the CEO of the Vancouver International Airport, led Canada’s largest community credit union through the 2008 financial crisis, and served as B.C.’s Deputy Minister of Finance where she steered the Ministry’s $36 billion fiscal plan, resulting in three AAA credit rating upgrades,” added McKenna. “She has the right background and experience, and she knows how to get things done.”
“I’ve had the privilege of working directly with Tamara when she was co-chair of the 2018 Panel on Climate, advising myself and the Finance Minister,” noted McKenna. “Tamara clearly understands the critical role of infrastructure in building our country, growing our economy, creating jobs, and attracting investment and tackling climate change.”
Vrooman brings to the CIB a wealth of experience in forming partnerships with domestic and global institutional investors on revenue-generating projects and engaging with public sector stakeholders.
“I’m honoured to be asked by Minister McKenna to serve as chair of the Canada Infrastructure Bank,” said Vrooman. “We have a vitally important job to do in fostering economic growth in Canada, at an especially critical time, through attracting and leveraging private investment for critical infrastructure projects.”
“I’m also delighted to work with Ehren Cory and the Board of Directors to ensure the CIB fulfills its mandate,” added Vrooman. “Because of my background in both the public and private sectors, I believe I can be useful in bridging between the two to help the CIB develop and finance public interest projects of national importance.”
The Board of Directors is responsible for governance and oversight of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Vrooman will work with Ehren Corey, the Bank’s CEO who was appointed in October 2020, as the CIB continues to deliver on the three-year, $10-billion Growth Plan. Vrooman replaces former CIB Chairperson Michael Sabia, who was appointed deputy minister of finance by the prime minister in December 2020.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we welcome the appointment of Tamara as chair,” said Stephen Smith, governance committee chair of the CIB Board of Directors. “We look forward to adding her leadership, skills, and impressive track record to our team as we continue making impactful infrastructure investments across the country.”
