Hon. Peter Van Loan P.C., K.C.
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Toronto
- Bio
- Awards & Recognition
- Professional Involvement
- Insights
- Education
With over 30 years' experience spanning politics, law and academia, the Honourable Peter Van Loan brings a wealth of expertise to his municipal and land use planning practice. His long-standing involvement in the political sphere has included leadership positions with various federal ministries and volunteer roles at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Prior to his election as a Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe in 2004, Peter was Practice Group Leader for the Municipal & Planning Group at a national law firm. He also served as Adjunct Professor of Land Use Planning at the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies for more than 10 years. Peter is a strong, tactical communicator with a track record of delivering results and achieving approvals for clients in complex regulatory and procedural environments.
A partner in the firm’s Municipal & Land Use Planning Group, Peter represents landowners, developers and municipalities with respect to land use planning, development approvals, heritage and general municipal law matters. Since returning to private practice, Peter has acted on successful policy matters, major settlement area expansions, conversions and other Municipal Comprehensive Review matters within the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario as a whole. He has acted on Minister’s Zoning Orders, including for a hospital, a police station, a subdivision, as well as for a transit-oriented community. Peter's previous experience includes advising on high profile development projects such as Vaughan Mills mall, Greenwood Racetrack and a large subdivision in the Oak Ridges Moraine. Peter also provides strategic and policy advice to clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Other Languages
French
Awards & Recognition
- Appointed King's Counsel, 2023
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada for his expertise in Municipal Law and Real Estate Law
Professional Involvement
Professional Activities
- Member of Parliament York-Simcoe, 2004-2018
- Shadow Minister for Canadian Heritage & National Historic Sites, 2015-2018
- Director of Candidate Training and Recruitment, Ontario PC Party, 2015-2018
- Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, 2011-2015
- Minister of International Trade, 2010-2011
- Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 2008-2010
- Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Democratic Reform, 2006-2008
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2006
- Conservative Party Caucus Election Campaign Chair, 2005-2006
- Conservative Critic for Human Resources and Social Development Canada, 2004-2006
- Campaign Manager, Campaign for PC Party to Ratify New Conservative Party, 2003
- Founder and Organizer of "Forward Thinking," PC Group promoting establishment of a single Conservative Party, 2001-2003
- President, Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, 1999-2000
- Member, Ontario Brownfields Advisory Panel, 2000
- Chair, Land Use Planning Sub-Committee, Brownfields Panel, 2000
- President, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, 1994-1998
- Metro Toronto Region Vice-President, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, 1992-1994
Teaching Engagements
- Adjunct Professor, "Land Use Planning," University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies, 1993-2004
Insights
Education
- M.Sc, Planning, University of Toronto, 1993
- MA, International Relations, University of Toronto, 1989
- LLB, Osgoode Hall Law School (R.W. Macaulay Scholarship in Land Use Planning), 1987
- BA, (Hons., with distinction), Political Science and Geography, University of Toronto, 1987