McMillan Alumnus William (Bill) Macdonald Named to the Prestigious Order of Canada

McMillan Alumnus William (Bill) Macdonald Named to the Prestigious Order of Canada

The members of McMillan LLP congratulate our friend and colleague William (Bill) Macdonald, newly appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of “his distinguished career as a law practitioner and for his expert counsel on national public policy issues.”

Bill’s exceptional leadership and commitment as a partner with McMillan Binch (now McMillan) resulted in numerous remarkable successes for business clients and government. In addition to providing strategic counsel on high-stakes matters in the banking, steel and automotive sectors, Bill was instrumental in shaping Canada’s tax and competition law reform, and various other policy initiatives.

From the 1970s through the mid-1980s, Bill advised the Ontario government on major public matters, including the Province’s response to the 1969 federal tax reform white paper, the seizure of five loan and trust companies, and Ontario’s investment in the Syncrude tar sands.

On leaving McMillan Binch in 1993, Bill established W. A. Macdonald and Associates Inc., a strategic advisory firm through which he continues to provide insight and guidance on pressing issues in the business and public realms.

Author of numerous publications and a frequent contributor to The Globe and Mail, Bill explores the role of mutual accommodation in today’s global economic order in Might Nature be Canadian?, his most recent book. Bill’s unique ability to synthesize the innovative, forward-looking analysis of domestic and global challenges continues to stimulate prodigious thought commentary.

More than 7,000 people from a wide variety of backgrounds have been invested into the Order of Canada since it was created in 1967. The Order is one of the country’s highest civilian honours, celebrating “outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.” The governor general makes appointments on the recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.

McMillan’s legal professionals and staff continue to follow Bill’s distinguished career and ongoing contributions to the country with pride and gratitude.