Peter Robinson

Peter Robinson is an influential leader and thinker whose work with progressive organizations has strengthened Canadian society. He is committed to working in fields and with organizations that consistently contribute to their communities.

An outdoor enthusiast, Robinson started his career as a park ranger and worked in B.C.’s wilderness for 12 years. During this time he was decorated for bravery by the Governor General, and awarded the RCMP Commissioners Commendation.

Robinson served as chief executive officer of B.C. Housing, a crown corporation that provides accommodation for the homeless, seniors, low income and disadvantaged people. As CEO, he oversaw the development of new social housing, and initiated new programs for the homeless and seniors. His career with B.C. Housing, which included the position of director of regional operations, spanned 17 years.

As chief executive officer of Mountain Equipment Co-op for seven years, Robinson was responsible for leading Canada’s largest retail consumer cooperative. Membership doubled under his leadership, and the cooperative, which is recognized for its commitment to sustainable and ethically sourced products, expanded to 11 Canadian cities.

Since 2008, Robinson has been chief executive officer of the David Suzuki Foundation. As leader of one of Canada’s most well-known environmental groups, Robinson restructured the foundation and oversaw the creation of its long-term plan.

Notably, Robinson was a member of the board of governors of Royal Roads University from 2004 to 2010, and for three of those years served as board chair and Chancellor of the university. He graduated with a Doctor of Social Sciences from Royal Roads in November 2014, after earning a Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management from the university in 2003.

Robinson’s humanitarian work is extensive, and includes serving as a governor of the Canadian Red Cross Society for two years. His experience with the Red Cross spanned two decades, during which time he monitored prison conditions in Canada for detained asylum seekers, and prisons in Rwanda in 1998.

His community involvement includes serving as director of Imagine Canada, a non-profit group that supports charitable organizations across Canada. Robinson was a member of the B.C. Climate Action Team and the Ontario Premier’s Climate Change Advisory Council.