Maxime Bernier has had a long-standing interest in business and worked for several financial and banking institutions. He become Executive Vice-President of the Montreal Economic Institute in 2005. Many people in the region encouraged him to enter politics. He took up the challenge and was elected a Member of Parliament on January 23, 2006. He was appointed to Cabinet on February 6, 2006, as Minister of Industry. Mr. Bernier also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2008. Re-elected on May 2, 2011, he was appointed Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism. On August 23, 2018, he left the Conservative Party of Canada to sit as an independent MP and announced the launch of a new party.
John Ede is a dedicated public policy professional originally from Nigeria and a proud father of three young children. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Global Affairs from the University of British Columbia, alongside a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering. With certifications in supply chain and project management, John brings a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex challenges. His passion lies in driving operational efficiency across business processes and championing transparency and accountability in democratic governance.
Peyman Askari‘s journey started in Iran, but Canada has been home since he was six years old. Growing up in West Vancouver, he later earned a degree in Computer Science from York University in 2006. He didn’t stop there—he went on to get a PhD in Computational Neuroscience from Southampton University in 2010. After that, he dived into the tech world, worked in sales and business development, and then took the plunge to start his own company in 2014.
Timothy Knight is the founder and CEO of Rubicon Free Press, a media venture dedicated to open debate and free expression in digital spaces. With a diploma in business management and additional studies in marketing, behavioral psychology, computer programming and e-commerce, Knight applies a multidisciplinary background to his work in business consultancy and start-up development, including a tenure as general manager of a niche chemical manufacturer in Vancouver. He has also played a hands-on role in political campaigns—school board, provincial and federal elections—and leads the Greater Vancouver Regional Associations of the People’s Party of Canada, while actively engaging in grassroots initiatives such as not-for-profit societies for healthcare professionals and legal advocacy. His guiding business maxim: “Be as innocent as doves, and as cunning as serpents.”
This speech was given at the Capitalism & Morality seminar in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday, 23 August 2025.
