Peter MacKinnon

Expert Overview

Peter MacKinnon is a native of Charlottetown, PEI. He attended Prince of Wales College, Dalhousie University, Queen’s University, the University of Saskatchewan, and Osgoode Hall (Law Society of Upper Canada). He was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1975 and to the Law Society of Saskatchewan in 1979. MacKinnon served as a professor and dean of law, and as president of the University of Saskatchewan for 13 years. He also served for interim terms at Athabasca and Dalhousie Universities, and a one year term as director of the School of Public Policy, University of Calgary.

In 2012 MacKinnon was commissioned by Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall to investigate and report on sovereign wealth funds. His report titled A Futures Fund For Saskatchewan was published in 2013. MacKinnon has seven books to his credit: four as sole author, all published by University of Toronto Press, and three as a co-editor. He was shortlisted for the Donner Prize 2018 (best public policy book by a Canadian) for his book University Commons Divided. His latest book, Confronting Illiberalism, was published in 2024. He has served as president of the Canadian Association of Law Teachers, and the Council of Canadian Law Deans. From 2003-2005 he was chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, now Universities Canada.

He has also served on public service boards including the Saskatoon Airport Authority, the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, and Neutrons Canada. MacKinnon is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a King’s Counsel, and a recipient of six honorary degrees. He now resides in Canmore and writes on post-secondary education for the National Post.