People

The reputation and expertise of our people are the critical strengths we put to work for you.  At Counsel, there is no “bait and switch”; our Principals are intimately involved in all the aspects of client work.

• John Beaucage
• Charles Beer
• Helen Burstyn
• Don Cousens
• Philip Dewan
• Charles Harnick
• Malcolm Heins
• Bob Lopinski
• Dorenda McNeil
• Carol Mitchell
• Caroline Pinto
• Mary Ellen Richardson
• Stephanie Gawur
• Patrick Harris
• Craig Ruttan
• Taylor Scollon
• Marcus Staviss

Charles Beer
Principal

Minister, CEO, Chief of Staff, Commissioner, Executive Director – with over 30 years of leadership experience in government and not-for-profit organizations, Charles brings extraordinary skills and experience in public policy and issues advocacy to your service.

Charles frequently manages projects in healthcare, francophone affairs, not-for-profit, disability, post-graduate education and various other sectors. He has a proven ability to build trust among stakeholders and engage them in the consensus-building process.

Among many success stories, Charles led four projects for the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) involving extensive outreach, stakeholder management and policy development across health professions. At the national level, he worked with the National Cancer Leadership Forum and created a government strategy plan to gain support and funding for the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC). His client experience covers not just health care, but technology, francophone affairs, education and social services.

Charles has worked extensively in both the private and public sectors. He served as Chief of Staff to the Hon. George Smitherman at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; President and CEO of the Canadian Executive Service Organization; and founding Executive Director of the Canadian Educational Standards Institute. Before joining CESO, Charles spent 23 years in the Ontario government, in politics and public service. He was Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, MPP for York North for nine years, Executive Director of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and a senior public servant in the Intergovernmental Affairs, Finance and Citizenship portfolios.

Charles and his wife, Mary Anna, a retired teacher, live in Newmarket. He has been extremely active in volunteer and advisory roles, serving on a wide range of boards relating to health, education, social services and international development.