Jacques Demers, integrates over forty-five years of experience in business law and over thirty-five years of experience investing (institutional and private), both in Canada and globally.
Lawyer, since 1977, his practice and experience have been broad and deep in corporate and finance law including (i) acting as independent counsel on matters referred from lawyers and firms facing conflicts of interest, (ii) advice to financial institutions and governments on discreet corporate matters, policy and strategic planning and (iii) advice, representation and structuring in a number of “first of-a-kind” corporate and project financings and infrastructure-related investments (eg. Canada’s first airport, courthouse, hospital and toll highway PPPs; Canada’s first diamond projects and first environmental agreements with resource developers, First Nations and relevant governmental authorities; infrastructure related privatizations and PPPs both in Canada and in developing economies).
Investor, since 1987, (initial investor in Cashway, Porter Airlines, and others), he served, between 2008-15, as a member of OMERS Senior Executive Leadership and President & CEO of OMERS Strategic Investments where he managed $3.5B of investments (including infrastructure assets and related operating businesses) and led a number of innovative, strategic investment initiatives for OMERS, including the $12.6B Global Strategic Investment Alliance infrastructure fund (together with institutional investors from Japan and USA), OMERS Ventures program and Airports Worldwide (now Vinci Airports). In 2015, together with former OMERS colleague, James Donegan, he co-founded AGAWA Partners Inc. and AGAWA Fund Management Inc. where he serves as Chairman. He continues to invest and, in particular, to work on an initiative to originate and manage investments focused on sustainable investing focused on oceans, water and agri-food.
Board Experience: He serves as a member of corporate and other boards, including as a member of the World Ocean Council board of directors and a private family foundation. His prior board experience comprises two terms (2015-23) on York University’s Board of Governors (serving the final four years as Chair of the Investment Committee and the Pension Fund Board of Trustees) and previous ‘for profit’ board service in the aviation (both air carrier and airport), banking, energy, engineering and retail sectors as well as not-for-profit community, educational and recreational sectors.
Service: Between 1973-81, Jacques served in the Canadian Army primary reserve battalion, Montreal-based Canadian Grenadier Guards, and, although long retired from active service, remains connected to Canada’s Forces as a member, and as Honorary Solicitor, of the Royal Canadian Military Institute.
Scope: Jacques’ experience in law and in business has developed over many years both within and beyond Canada as has his network of relationships. His background, practice experience and training in both civil law and common law have enabled him to be effective in resolving issues and achieving success across different cultures, backgrounds and languages in matters involving multiple jurisdictions, legal regimes and commercial customs and practices.
Formal Education: economics, history and philosophy at McGill University followed by law at Université Laval (LL.B.’76).
Languages: English and French (fluent) and Japanese (elementary proficiency, ongoing study).
Member: Barreau du Québec (admitted 1977), Law Society of Ontario (admitted 1984), American Bar Association, International Bar Association.