Mel Cappe is a Distinguished Fellow, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. He was a Munk School professor until 2022. From 2006 through 2011, he was president of the Institute for Research on Public Policy. Prior to that, he was High Commissioner for Canada to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and served as clerk of the Privy Council, secretary to the cabinet and head of the public service.

Earlier in his career Mr. Cappe held senior economic and policy positions in the Departments of Finance and Industry. He was deputy secretary to the Treasury Board, deputy minister of the environment, deputy minister of human resources development, deputy minister of labour and chairman of the Employment Insurance Commission.

Mr. Cappe was Chair of the Boards of the Health Research Foundation and of Canadian Blood Services. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Queen’s Diamond and Golden Jubilee Medals.