CCI Expands Policy Team with New Policy and Advocacy Analyst

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is expanding its policy and advocacy capacity to support Canada’s fastest-growing technology companies. CCI is pleased to welcome Iain Sutcliffe to the team as Policy and Advocacy Analyst.

In his new role, Iain will conduct research, support policy development and help advance practical recommendations that enable Canadian technology companies to scale, compete globally and remain headquartered in Canada.

“Canada’s economic strength increasingly depends on our ability to turn homegrown ideas into globally competitive companies,” said Patrick Searle, CEO of CCI. “Iain has already shown a strong ability to translate complex policy questions into clear and practical recommendations. His work will strengthen our ability to represent Canadian innovators and advance policies that support their growth.”

Iain joined CCI as an intern, contributing to several of the organization’s policy priorities. His work included helping develop proposals to reform Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy and contributing to What Quebec Innovators Need to Scale, CCI’s policy blueprint developed with technology leaders across the province. Most recently, he helped author a policy paper focused on advancing mining innovation in British Columbia.

“Iain brings intellectual curiosity, strong research skills and a clear understanding of the challenges facing Canadian innovators,” said Laurent Carbonneau, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at CCI. “Throughout his internship, he made valuable contributions across several complex files. We are excited to have him continue that work as part of our policy and advocacy team.”

Iain is currently completing a Master of Arts in Global Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs at the University of Waterloo. He previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. His graduate research examines Canadian climate policy, with a focus on the political durability of the industrial Output-Based Pricing System compared with consumer fuel charges.

“I’m excited to continue working with the CCI team and the Canadian innovators building globally competitive companies across the country,” said Iain Sutcliffe, Policy and Advocacy Analyst at CCI. “My internship gave me the opportunity to contribute to policy work spanning defence procurement, regional economic growth and natural resources. I look forward to building on that experience and helping develop policy solutions that reflect the realities facing Canadian scale-ups.”

As CCI’s membership and policy agenda continue to grow, the organization remains committed to providing governments with practical recommendations grounded in the experiences of Canadian technology leaders. Iain’s appointment will strengthen CCI’s capacity to conduct research, engage policymakers and advocate for the conditions homegrown companies need to succeed.
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About the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is Canada’s business council for the 21st century economy. We are a collective of over 175 of Canada’s fastest-growing and most ambitious companies, and the founders, CEOs, and executives behind them, working together to improve the business conditions that help more homegrown companies scale, compete globally, and drive long-term prosperity. Learn more at canadianinnovators.org.