Announcement – Retirement of John Thomson – Director, Partnership and Governance

Colleagues,

John Thomson will be retiring after a successful 45-year career in both the private sector and the public service. His last day of work will be June 15, 2023.

John began his career in 1978 with the British Columbia Ministry of Economic Development as an Information Clerk. He rose to become the department’s Senior Communicator before being recruited by EXPO 86, where he conceived and implemented the highly successful “Invite the World” campaign.

In 1988, he took on new challenges in the private sector by joining the Jim Pattison Group where he was Publisher of five magazines and many books as well as Producer of documentary films, including the Emmy-winning Over Beautiful British Columbia. His leadership also led to major successes for Canadian Geographic Enterprises when he was recruited as its CEO and Publisher in 1999.

John then joined Parks Canada in 2008, as Special Advisor to the CEO. Over 15 years, he has had the privilege to lead many commemoration and celebration events: 125th of national parks, the centennial of Parks Canada, the War of 1812, Louisbourg 300, the World Wars, women’s suffrage, park and site anniversaries as well as Canada 150. Since 2019, John worked on the organization of the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5).

Finally, I would like to thank John for his dedication, his passion for Parks Canada's mandate, his many contributions, and the leadership he has shown in all aspects of his work.

Please join me in congratulating John and wishing him well in his retirement plans.

Ron Hallman

President and CEO