Honourable Jacob (Jack) Austin, P.C., Q.C.
Senior Advisor - International
Mr. Austin has been active in both private and public life. He received his law degree from the University of British Columbia and Harvard Law School and practiced law in Vancouver for over 20 years in trade and commercial law, particularly in relation to China, South Korea and Japan.
In public life, Mr. Austin served as Deputy Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, Canada, and Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. After his elevation to the Senate, he served in the Canadian Cabinets of Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Paul Martin.
From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Austin served as President of the Canada China Business Council and from 2000 to 2003 as Deputy Chairman. He assisted in the building of a close relationship for Canada and China in commercial development.
After leaving the Senate in March 2007, Mr. Austin became a special advisor to Stern Partners Inc. He is also Honourary Professor in the Institute of Asian Research at the University of British Columbia.