The Department of Finance has appointed Harold MacKay, as the 2002-03 Clifford Clark Visiting Economist.

The advisory appointment will take effect on June 3. The Clifford Clark post was established in 1983 in honour of Dr. Clifford Clark, who served as Deputy Minister of Finance from 1932 until his death in 1952. Occupants of the position are recruited from the ranks of prominent Canadian professionals to advise the department on emerging issues and take part in senior policy discussions.

MacKay is chairman and senior partner in the Regina-based law firm of MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP and is an active participant in public policy analysis. In 1997-98 he chaired the Task Force on the Future of the Canadian Financial Services Sector. Its report became the foundation for the new financial services legislation in Canada.

MacKay has also provided advice to governments on small business financing and post-secondary education, and has a long-standing interest in First Nations issues. He has served on arbitration panels involving both intergovernmental and private commercial disputes, and is chair of the Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy.