Private Power, Public Purpose Adventures in Business, Politics, and the Arts

A remarkable memoir by the man at the apex of Canadian power for over fifty years, Private Power, Public Purpose is the ultimate insider's history in the worlds of politics, business, and philanthropy.

Private Power, Public Purpose is an ambitious and sweeping first-hand account of the past 50 years of Canadian economic history, told from the front lines…. A highly rewarding read.
Stephen Poloz, former Governor of the Bank of Canada and author of The Next Age of Uncertainty

In this monumental memoir, Thomas d’Aquino offers personal insights on four decades of bold leadership at the apex of power. A transforming force in redefining the role of business and the shaping of responsible capitalism, Canada’s private sector leader in advancing the free trade agreement with the United States, valiant defender of national unity, and passionate environmentalist, he has been at the centre of every major policy debate that has influenced contemporary Canada.

Referred to by his peers as “Canada’s leading business ambassador,” Private Power, Public Purpose chronicles exploits on five continents and describes how he has championed Canada’s place as an economic player on the world stage. His insights on leadership are timeless, honed from relationships with six Canadian prime ministers, over 1000 chief executives, and dozens of global leaders. Beyond business and public policy, Thomas d’Aquino’s fascinating adventures in the world of voluntarism, the arts, and philanthropy reveal a great deal about the soul of this remarkable Canadian.

THOMAS D’AQUINO is an entrepreneur, corporate director, author, educator and philanthropist. His business career spans over four decades, most notably as the as the long-time head of the Business Council of Canada – the country’s most influential business organization, formerly the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. An Adjunct Professor of Law, he taught international business at the University of Ottawa law school and during his career worked with two of Canada’s leading law firms. As a corporate director, he served on the boards of two of Canada’s most successful global enterprises -Manulife Financial and CGI. He continues to serve as a director of a leading private family enterprise with world-wide operations. A contributor to various arts organizations across Canada, he is the chair emeritus of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation, an organization of which he is a founding director and which he chaired for 18 years. Educated at the universities of British Columbia, Queen’s and London, he is a member of the Order of Canada and recipient of honorary doctor of laws degrees from Queen’s, Wilfred Laurier and Western universities. He and his wife Susan live in Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa.