Cirtwill Departs AIMS for Northern Climes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

5 July 2013

HALIFAX, NS – AIMS is once again making a significant contribution to expanding the policy debate in Canada. After twelve years with AIMS, it’s President and CEO, Charles Cirtwill, is departing to be the founding President and CEO of the Northern Policy Institute.

“Since taking on the role of Acting President in 2006 and leaving the “acting” title behind in 2009, Charles has been the driving force behind expanding AIMS reputation and brand,” says AIMS Chair John Risley. “Charles leaves AIMS in a solid position to continue to grow as the most significant independent voice from Atlantic Canada on local, regional, national and international public policy issues. His balance, perspective and hard-earned reputation for independence will serve the people of Northern Ontario, and continue to serve all of Canada, well. ”

“This was a hard choice to make,” says Cirtwill. “AIMS is the leading independent voice on public policy from this region, and we have a lot of work left to do. But this opportunity to share the knowledge and experience I have gained here at home with the people of Northern Ontario is too unique to pass up. Atlantic Canada is a far better place for the presence of AIMS in our midst, and ten years from now I want to be able to say that with equal certainty about the NPI.”

The search for Cirtwill’s replacement is ongoing and the Board of AIMS has every confidence that a successor worthy of the AIMS tradition for frank, non-partisan, evidence driven policy advice will soon be in place. In the meantime Cirtwill will continue to serve on a part-time basis as AIMS Interim President while taking up his duties with the Northern Policy Institute, also on a part-time basis. This will allow both organizations to benefit from his years of experience and knowledge as each works to supply critically needed policy advice at a time of serious economic and demographic challenge and change.

Cirtwill holds three degrees from Dalhousie University in Halifax including a law degree and Masters of Public Administration. Cirtwill arrived at AIMS in 2001 to work on a paper on port governance. In the last twelve years he has built AIMS’ public education reform project including its annual high school report card. He has also authored numerous papers and Commentaries on such public policy issues as equalization, public finance, health care, Atlantica and energy. His op/eds appear regularly in regional and national newspapers and he is frequently sought out by reporters for informed comment on matters of public policy regionally, nationally and internationally.

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For more information please contact:

John Risley

Chair, AIMS

(902) 457-2350