Former securities regulator Kelley McKinnon is making another career shift with a move to the Competition Bureau.
McKinnon is taking a leave of absence from her position as partner and head of securities litigation at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, for a two-year appointment as senior deputy commissioner of the mergers branch at the Competition Bureau. The appointment takes effect August 7.
In her new role, McKinnon will be responsible for overseeing the work of the mergers branch and making recommendations to the commissioner on all merger reviews. She will also act as an interface between staff and the commissioner, and between the Bureau and its various stakeholders.
Before returning to private practice at Gowling, McKinnon was deputy director of enforcement and chief litigation counsel at the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Prior to that, she was a partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin.
“At the OSC, Kelley gained significant knowledge and insight into public regulation and compliance,” said Melanie Aitken, commissioner of competition. “Kelley brings with her the skills necessary to deal effectively with diverse stakeholders and regulators, both in Canada and abroad.”
The Bureau says that conflict of interest guidelines have been established for the duration of her appointment.