Gerard is an economist, author, and lecturer. Gerard has lectured on microeconomics, macroeconomics, globalization, and engineering economics for nearly two decades at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. Gerard has a varied educational background and an even richer life experience, both professionally and personally. He holds college diplomas in Masonry and Paralegal Studies (specializing in litigation and commercial law). He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics from the University of Winnipeg and a Masters in Economics from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario.
Over the past 30 years Gerard has worked in business and economic consulting, litigation, public policy research, and academia. He has also served in a number of capacities for various committees and boards in western Canada.
Gerard has extensive involvement in municipal, provincial, and federal politics within Alberta, and has earned the respect of those who he has worked with on a number of constituency associations and electoral districts associations. Gerard has also volunteered for a number of community-based organizations including Prospect Human Services, Boy Scouts Canada, Rotary Club of Chestermere, and Langdon Chamber of Commerce
As an author, Gerard has published numerous papers, commentaries, infographics, and videos regarding various municipal, provincial, economics and policy issues in Canada. He has also consulted regularly on these topics and media interviews. Gerard has been involved in the publication of a number of books as either a co-author, author, researcher, or publisher.
Gerard is passionate about education and believes in life-long learning. He believes in the necessity of educating the next generation of policy makers in Canada. Gerard made several contributions to think tanks in Canada and internationally. His most recent engagement is as President/Executive Director of The Regulatory Research Institute of Canada, where he is developing and implementing a research program focusing on regulatory impact and efficiencies, as well as, offering a comprehensive training program that prepares the next generation of public policy thinkers.
When he is not engaged on a project, Gerard enjoys spending time with family and traveling across Canada with his wife, Sheila, by motorcycle or camper van, searching out the next adventure.