Ian Hamilton
About Ian Hamilton
Ian Hamilton serves as the Chief Negotiator for the Government of Canada, with a career spanning over 28 years. He has extensive experience in negotiation and conflict resolution, supported by a strong educational background in public administration and military training.
Work at Government of Canada
Ian Hamilton has served as Chief Negotiator at the Government of Canada since 1996. His role involves leading negotiations related to self-government agreements with Indigenous groups. He has been actively involved in various significant negotiations, including agreements with the Norman Wells Land Corporation and the Government of the Northwest Territories. His extensive experience in this position spans over 28 years, contributing to the development of policies and frameworks that support Indigenous governance.
Education and Expertise
Ian Hamilton has a diverse educational background. He earned a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from the University of Victoria, focusing on resource and environmental economics, treaty implementation planning, and policy analysis. He also holds a Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the Justice Institute of British Columbia. His military training includes a Certificate of Competency Level 1 from the Canadian Forces Naval Officer Training Centre and completion of the Naval Operations Course at Canadian Forces Fleet School Halifax.
Background
Ian Hamilton began his career in the Royal Canadian Navy, serving as a Naval Officer from 1990 to 1993 in Esquimalt, British Columbia. His military training laid the foundation for his later work in negotiations and public administration. He transitioned to a role in the Government of Canada, where he has focused on Indigenous relations and self-government agreements, drawing on his military and academic experiences.
Achievements
Ian Hamilton has led several significant negotiations during his tenure as Chief Negotiator. Notable achievements include the drafting of the Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle with the Norman Wells Land Corporation in January 2017 and the signing of a Self-Government Framework Agreement with Fort Good Hope in July 2016. He also served as the lead legislative drafting instructor for Bill C-63, which was enacted by the Parliament of Canada in June 2015. In recognition of his collaborative efforts, he received the 2014 Deputy Ministers' Recognition Award for Collaboration/Partnerships.