About
Laurel is currently CEO of Invest in Canada. Canada’s national investment attraction and promotion corporation. From 2015 to 2022, Laurel was the President and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), the agency responsible for investment attraction and export development for the Province of Nova Scotia. She is a seasoned executive, public policy expert, former senior Ontario Cabinet Minister, lawyer, legislator and advocate.
From 2013-2015, as President and CEO of Broten Public Policy International Inc., Laurel provided strategic advice on complex public policy challenges, change management and government transformation to clients in Canada and abroad, including conducting a comprehensive review of Nova Scotia’s taxes and regulations.
From 2003-2013, Laurel served in the Government of Ontario, including as Minister of Education, Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of the Environment, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, Vice-chair of Treasury Board/Management Board, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, to the Minister of Health and Long-term Care and to the Minister of Energy.
After graduating with distinction with her Juris Doctor from the University of Western Ontario, Laurel clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada for Madam Justice Claire L’Heureux-Dubé. Laurel then practiced as a commercial and civil litigation lawyer until her election to government in 2003.
Laurel is an award-winning CEO and a four time recipient of Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEO. She has also been recognized by numerous awards including as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: WXN Top 100 – CIBC Trailblazers and Trendsetters award in 2017; the Women in Communication and Technology 2015 Gamechanger Award; and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
Laurel lives in Halifax with her husband Paul Laberge, Vice President Corporate Development at Emera Inc., and her twin teenaged sons, Zachary and Ryan.
Articles by Laurel
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IWD: Investing in Women and Inspiring Inclusion
IWD: Investing in Women and Inspiring Inclusion
By Laurel Broten
Activity
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Really cool teaser of what I'm working on, building a moonshot to revolutionize the future of Smart Machinery. Thanks Hoopaugh Grading Company, LLC…
Really cool teaser of what I'm working on, building a moonshot to revolutionize the future of Smart Machinery. Thanks Hoopaugh Grading Company, LLC…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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Did you know Canada is home to strong, established industries which are leading the evolution in order to advance innovation? With a focus on…
Did you know Canada is home to strong, established industries which are leading the evolution in order to advance innovation? With a focus on…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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Coming home in style.🏅 We are thrilled to welcome our extraordinary athletes home from Paris. It was amazing to watch the golden moments at…
Coming home in style.🏅 We are thrilled to welcome our extraordinary athletes home from Paris. It was amazing to watch the golden moments at…
Liked by Laurel Broten
Experience
Education
Licenses & Certifications
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Rotman - Institute of Corporate Directors Director Education Program Graduate
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Languages
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French
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More activity by Laurel
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Finally made it to Moosomin, Sask. to see my farmer friend Kristjan Hebert — one of Canada’s most innovative growers and big thinker on all things…
Finally made it to Moosomin, Sask. to see my farmer friend Kristjan Hebert — one of Canada’s most innovative growers and big thinker on all things…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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Great visit with the Aecon Group Inc. team as part of the group building the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension tunnel!
Great visit with the Aecon Group Inc. team as part of the group building the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension tunnel!
Liked by Laurel Broten
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Despite years of extensive travel, I visited #Scotland for the first time last week! The landscape was stunning and inspiring, and there were many…
Despite years of extensive travel, I visited #Scotland for the first time last week! The landscape was stunning and inspiring, and there were many…
Shared by Laurel Broten
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I am both honoured and proud to be a 2024 recipient of the International Women's Forum of Canada's Luminary Award! This award recognizes…
I am both honoured and proud to be a 2024 recipient of the International Women's Forum of Canada's Luminary Award! This award recognizes…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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That’s me! #globeandmail #reportonbusiness Thank you for the opportunity @annasharratt to spread the word about teenage girls financial habits being…
That’s me! #globeandmail #reportonbusiness Thank you for the opportunity @annasharratt to spread the word about teenage girls financial habits being…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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I dreamed of this day for over a year. Spending the day with my best friend and inspiration, Captaine Greene and his beautiful family. His bravery…
I dreamed of this day for over a year. Spending the day with my best friend and inspiration, Captaine Greene and his beautiful family. His bravery…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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I was delighted to sign the first gender equity pledge for women-led FDI organizations this spring on behalf of Invest in Canada | Investir au…
I was delighted to sign the first gender equity pledge for women-led FDI organizations this spring on behalf of Invest in Canada | Investir au…
Shared by Laurel Broten
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#InvestInCanada is proud to be one of the inaugural signatories for the FDI Center and United Nations ESCAP gender equity pledge for women-led…
#InvestInCanada is proud to be one of the inaugural signatories for the FDI Center and United Nations ESCAP gender equity pledge for women-led…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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Ok. I generally avoid discussing politics on here. Well, truthfully anywhere these days. It just feels so divisive and polarizing. Anyway, this is…
Ok. I generally avoid discussing politics on here. Well, truthfully anywhere these days. It just feels so divisive and polarizing. Anyway, this is…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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#InvestinCanada’s CEO Laurel Broten recently sat down with Newsweek to discuss Canada’s competitive advantage in sustainable aviation and examples of…
#InvestinCanada’s CEO Laurel Broten recently sat down with Newsweek to discuss Canada’s competitive advantage in sustainable aviation and examples of…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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In what might be my most humbling photography achievement, I'm excited to announce that Canon has asked me to become a Canon Ambassador. I really…
In what might be my most humbling photography achievement, I'm excited to announce that Canon has asked me to become a Canon Ambassador. I really…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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🍁 Known as the land of living skies, Saskatchewan is one of three prairie provinces and is home to a dynamic geography from urbanscapes to forestry,…
🍁 Known as the land of living skies, Saskatchewan is one of three prairie provinces and is home to a dynamic geography from urbanscapes to forestry,…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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Three years, three letters: MBA. My journey at the DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University has come to an end! The past three years have…
Three years, three letters: MBA. My journey at the DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University has come to an end! The past three years have…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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I am thrilled to announce that I’ve been appointed as the Honorary Colonel for 12 Wing Shearwater within the Royal Canadian Air Force | Aviation…
I am thrilled to announce that I’ve been appointed as the Honorary Colonel for 12 Wing Shearwater within the Royal Canadian Air Force | Aviation…
Liked by Laurel Broten
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