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David
L. McAusland

Counsel

Montréal
Toronto

Contact by email at [email protected]

t. +1 514-397-7814
   +1 416-601-7814

2851

Law School

McGill University

Bar Admission

Québec, 1978

David combines executive experience and leading corporate legal expertise to make him an essential for organizations facing strategic change

David McAusland is a counsel in the firm of McCarthy Tétrault. He advises corporations, shareholders and entrepreneurs on strategic challenges and significant value-at-stake issues and opportunities, major transactions as well as governance matters. A graduate of McGill University (BCL '76, LLB '77), David is a respected member of the Canadian business community and recognized as a leading corporate lawyer, business advisor and director with broad international experience. He has been the architect of numerous large, innovative and precedent corporate transactions and development strategies.

David is a highly experienced senior executive and corporate director. He previously held the position of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer of Alcan Inc., a large global industrial company where he played a leading role in the design and execution of major strategic initiatives and transactions. Before that, David was the managing partner of a major law firm where he had a dynamic practice focused on innovative capital markets transactions and solutions.

David has been a strong advocate over many years on behalf of community and non-for-profit organizations and business causes.

He currently holds the following corporate director positions and other similar functions:

  • Chairman, ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (advanced industrial automation systems)
  • Chairman, Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. (institutional fund manager)
  • Chairman, Ovivo Inc. (water purification and treatment technologies)
  • Vice-Chairman, Hewitt Group (private investment corporation)
  • Chairman, Advisory Board, La Maison Simons Inc. (retail)
  • Advisory Board Member, Groupe Maurice (real estate development and seniors housing)

Past positions held by David include the following:

  • Director and Chair of Human Resources Commitee, Cogeco Inc. and Cogeco Cable inc. (media and telecommunications) (2001-2023)
  • Chairman, IPL Plastics Inc. (sustainable and specialty packaging) (2018-2020)
  • Director, Cascades Inc. (fiber and packaging) (2003-2019)
  • Director and Executive Committee Member, McInnis Cement (production and distribution of cement) (2014-2019)
  • Director, Montreal General Hospital Foundation (2008-2018) and Chairman (2011-2017)
  • Member, Accounting Standards Oversight Council of Canada (2014-2017)
  • Director, Khan Resources Inc. (natural resources – uranium) (2009-2017)
  • Chairman, National Circus School Foundation (2000-2017)
  • Director, Montréal International and Chairman of the Board of the Fonds d’investissement international de Montréal (2011-2014)
  • Director, Equinox Minerals Ltd. (natural resources – copper) (2008-2011)
  • Director, Worldcolor Press Inc. (printing and premedia services) (2009-2010)
  • Executive Vice-President, Alcan Inc. (energy, natural resources, aluminium production, packaging, engineered products) (1999-2008)
  • Chairman of the Reform Implementation Council for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (2008-2010)
  • Director, Centraide of Greater Montreal (2007-2011)
  • Director, Musée d’archéologie et d’histoire Pointe-à-Callière (2005-2007) and Co-Chair of the Major Fundraising Campaign (2014-2015)
  • Member of the Ministère des finances (Québec) Advisory Committee on the restructuring of stock exchanges in Canada (1999)
  • Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Technilab Pharma Inc. (generic pharmaceuticals) (1998-2000)
  • President of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal (1998-1999)
  • Director, Repap Entreprises Inc. (coated paper) (1997-1998)
  • Director, Aéroports de Montréal (1996-1998) and member of the Société de promotion des Aéroports de Montréal (1996-2000)
  • Member of the Picard Federal Cabinet Advisory Committee on the future of Montreal (1985-1986)

In 2002, David was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal as recognition of service to the community and public.

David was recognized by the Canadian General Counsel Awards with the Dealmaker Award (2005) and the Lifetime Achievement Award (2008).

In 2015, David was awarded the title Advocatus Emeritus by the Québec Bar in recognition of his professional excellence, outstanding contribution to the profession, and exceptional outreach.

In 2020, David was awarded the designation of Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors by the Institute of Corporate Directors in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contributions to boards of directors in Canada.

David is 69 years old, is married to Katherine Dallenbach and has three adult children.