Doctor of Letters
(honoris causa) DLitt
Patrick Dion is a leading government relations professional, recognized for helping clients solve strategic issues and enhancing their reputation and brand with federal, provincial and municipal governments.
Mr. Dion was appointed as Ontario’s representative as an inaugural director of the board of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, serving the board for nine years and four years as vice-chair, and chaired the Human Resources Committee, Audit and Finance Committee, Investment Committee, and Governance and Nominating Committee.
Mr. Dion has become a recognized voice for mental health and wellness, frequently invited to speak on the reform of Canada’s mental health system. He was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee for his service to Canada, received The Royal Ottawa Leader in Mental Health Award, Ontario Medical Association Community Service Award, and was invested into the Order of Ottawa.
Mr. Dion was recruited by Ontario’s Minister of Health to serve on the advisory group guiding the Government of Ontario’s review of its mental health and addictions system and has chaired the Champlain LHIN's Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Committee on Improving Consumer Flow. Mr. Dion is chair of the board of Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association, a member of Carleton University board of governors, and a director of the board of the Canadian Film Institute.
Mr. Dion’s journey to being recognized as a well-respected and active member of Ottawa’s business community led to him receiving the Ottawa Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award, its annual list of top young business leaders in Ottawa.
Mr. Dion graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Electrical Engineering Science and also completed the Directors Education Program (DEP) at University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.