An economist by training, Mike's interests relate to the intersection of societal issues, public policy and economic growth. He has provided expert testimony to both the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance and the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance. Before assuming his post as Interim Director of the Lawrence Centre, Mike served as Chief Economist for the Mowat Centre at the University of Toronto. Mike has worked with Canadian politicians and policy markers of all political stripes to craft more effective public policy, including his most recent role as an economic advisor to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.