Speaker

Gary Sands is Sr. Vice President Policy & Advocacy with CFIG and has been with the association for 25 years.   Gary has extensive experience in government at the political level as a Chief of Staff and helped oversee Government entities such as Ontario Place, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Ontario Lottery Corporation and the Niagara Parks Commission. He was also part of the team that negotiated bringing the Molson Indy to Toronto.  Gary also helped develop and pilot through the Legislature, landmark reforms to municipal governance, elections and financing ̶ changes that still stand today. During his tenure with CFIG he was elected the Chair of the Small Business Matters Coalition, composed of over 23 national trade associations which at the time of its existence, was the largest voice for business organizations in Canada. The Coalition helped spearhead reductions in Canada’s small business tax rate and credit card interchange fees. He is part of the Interim Board of Directors that brought to fruition the Grocery Code of Conduct. Gary is also a recipient of CFIG's Spirit of the Independent Award.