Deputy Minister, David Wai

Ministry of Colleges and Universities, Research Excellence and Security

David Wai became Deputy Minister of Colleges and Universities in June 2023.

He was previously the Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, a role he began in October 2021.

David has held a number of executive positions in the OPS, including the Assistant Deputy Minister of Health, Social, Education and Children’s Policy at Cabinet Office where he supported the Health and Social Policy Cabinet Committee as well as the Central Coordination Table. As the Assistant Deputy Minister of Financial Services Policy at the Ministry of Finance (MOF), he led the creation and launch of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario and led regulatory policy in financial services sectors such as capital markets and insurance.

He has also held senior positions in economic development, trade and pensions. He is passionate about building a more diverse and inclusive workplace and led the MOF Inclusion Committee during his time at MOF.

Prior to joining the OPS, David worked in the capital markets industry with Fiera Capital and RBC and in management consulting with Deloitte. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and holds degrees in Engineering Physics and Economics.

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