Shahir Guindi, Ad. E.
Oct 20, 2020
Osler is pleased to congratulate National Co-Chair Shahir Guindi on being re-elected for a second term as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (the Chamber) for 2020-2021. The Chamber made the announcement in a press release on October 15, 2020, following its virtual annual meeting of members. In this capacity, Shahir will sit on the Chamber’s Executive Committee and continue to play a strategic role with the Chamber’s senior leadership, while participating in key Chamber activities. Shahir’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the Montréal business community.
“It is with a great sense of responsibility and pride that I renew my mandate at the head of the Chamber’s board of directors for the next year,” Shahir said in the press release. “The past few months were particularly difficult for all Montréalers, including the city’s business community. In addition to the health and wellbeing of our fellow citizens, we are very concerned by the job losses and wealth deterioration suffered by many as a result of the pandemic, including the city’s least fortunate residents. The situation we are experiencing right now is unprecedented. Montréal is mired in its worst economic crisis in decades. We must catalyze and prepare for the major economic recovery that will follow. In the next year, I will continue to do everything within my abilities to respond to the needs, expectations and concerns of the city’s businesses.”
“Also, I would like to congratulate the entire Chamber team, which worked tirelessly to give the business community a voice in this period of crisis and which innovated and demonstrated agility to quickly offer members the support and services they very much needed.”
Shahir, a member of Osler’s Partnership Board, has deep connections to the business community in Montréal and elsewhere. He was Managing Partner of the firm’s Montréal office for seven years before being named National Co-Chair. He has over 25 years of experience as a distinguished and trusted advisor in M&A, private equity and corporate finance, as well as cross-border and international transactions, growth strategies and private and public financing. He sits on the boards of directors of Business Development Bank of Canada and GFL Environmental Inc., as well as other companies, and in 2017, the Québec Bar conferred on him the Advocate Emeritus distinction.
The Chamber is involved in key areas of economic development in the city, and its mission is to advocate for Montréal’s business community and promote the prosperity of the city and its businesses, according to the organization’s website. Read more on the Chamber’s website.