Don Drummond

Don Drummond is a distinguished Canadian economist, former senior government official, and one of the country’s most trusted voices on fiscal policy, economic strategy and public service reform. He served for more than two decades in the federal Department of Finance Canada, holding successive senior roles including Assistant Deputy Minister of Fiscal Policy & Economic Analysis, Assistant Deputy Minister of Tax Policy & Legislation, and ultimately Associate Deputy Minister. In this last capacity he coordinated annual federal budgets and oversaw economic analysis, fiscal and tax policy, social policy and federal-provincial relations.

Following his decades of public service, Drummond joined the private sector as Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist at TD Bank Group (2000-2010), where he led the bank’s economic research and forecasting efforts across Canada and internationally. In 2011-12 he chaired the prestigious commission on public-service reform for the Government of Ontario, producing what became known as the “Drummond Report,” offering nearly 400 recommendations to reshape public service delivery and improve sustainability.

Today, Don serves as Stauffer-Dunning Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University, where he continues his work in economic policy, public service innovation and leadership in government and business. With a Master of Arts in economics from Queen’s University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria, he has also been honoured with multiple honorary doctorates and appointment to the Order of Ontario.

Known for his clarity, insight and ability to make complex economic issues accessible, Drummond is a highly sought-after keynote speaker for business, government, and not-for-profit audiences seeking actionable thinking on productivity, fiscal challenge, succession in economic leadership and the future of Canada’s economy.

The Canadian Economic Outlook: Risks, Opportunities & Strategy for Business and Government

In this presentation, Don Drummond outlines Canada’s economic trajectory, exploring long-term trends in debt, productivity, demographics and global competition. He equips leaders and policy-makers with frameworks to navigate uncertainty, invest wisely, and anticipate structural shifts.

Fixing Productivity and Growth: Why Canada Lags and What to Do About It

Drummond dives deep into Canada’s persistent productivity challenge. He identifies the barriers that have slowed growth, offers evidence-based reforms, and presents strategies for business and government leaders to accelerate performance in their industries.

Public-Service Reform and Sustainable Governance

Drawing directly on his experience leading the Ontario commission on public-service renewal, Drummond explores how governments and large institutions can redesign service delivery, improve efficiency, and maintain trust while facing constrained budgets and rising expectations.

Investing in a Low-Interest Rate World: Implications for Finance, Pension Funds and Business Strategy

With interest rates at historic lows and global indebtedness rising, this talk focuses on how businesses, pension funds and financial institutions should rethink investment, risk, and strategic growth. Drummond shows how to adapt portfolios and business models in a new economic era.

The Future of the Banking Sector & Finance in Canada

Leveraging his experience at TD Bank, Drummond explores the evolving banking landscape—regulation, technology, consumer behaviour, and global competition—and what Canadian businesses and financial institutions must do to remain competitive internationally.