Catherine Swift is President of the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada (CCMBC). She was previously President of Working Canadians from 2015-2021 and President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) from 1995-2014. She was Chief Economist of the CFIB from 1987-1995, Senior Economist with TD Bank from 1983-1987 and held several positions with the federal government from 1976-1983.

She has published numerous articles in journals, magazines and other media on issues such as free trade, finance, entrepreneurship and women business owners. Ms. Swift is a past President of the Empire Club of Canada, a former Director of the CD Howe Institute, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages, past President of the International Small Business Congress and current Director of the Fraser Institute. She is a regular columnist with the Niagara Independent and a regular guest on various radio shows including John Oakley, Alex Pierson and Roy Green. She was cited in 2003 and 2012 as one of the most powerful women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network and is a recipient of the Queen’s Silver and Gold Jubilee medals.

She has an Honours BA and MA in Economic