Kent D. Howie

Senior Counsel

Toronto
KHowie@blg.com
403.232.9667
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Kent provides strategic business advice to senior management and boards of directors on mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure and energy projects, joint ventures and corporate finance transactions.

Kent spent 20+ years as a senior corporate commercial law partner at BLG. Between 2020-2023, he took on non-legal roles at the highest levels of the Department of Finance in Ottawa, initially as a Senior Adviser to the Deputy Minister of Finance during the COVID-19 pandemic and then as an Assistant Deputy Minister of a corporate finance-focused branch. During his time in Ottawa, Kent was a lead negotiator who provided public policy and investment advice to the Government of Canada, including the Minister of Finance, on major equity and debt investments in commercial entities and projects.

Experience

  • Senior role contributing to the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its vaccine procurement portfolio strategy and funding, and advising on the commercial design and implementation of various federal economic emergency measures put in place to support businesses during the pandemic.
  • Led the design (mandate, investment instruments, go-to-market approach, investment selection criteria and performance metrics) and rapid implementation of the Canada Growth Fund, a new $15 billion decarbonization investment fund created by Canada.
  • Advised on and helped to manage Canada’s ownership of the Trans Mountain Pipeline and construction of its expansion project, including the completion of a $13 billion+ construction financing with a syndicate of Canadian banks, and an array of issues related to the project’s cost overruns, in-service delays, Indigenous community impacts and contemplated divestiture.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Alberta, 2005
  • Ontario, 1995
  • LLB, University of Victoria, 1994
  • CPA, CA, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, 1990
  • B.Comm, Mount Allison University, 1986
  • Certificate in Engineering Science, Mount Allison University, 1986