Air Canada has named Derek Vanstone as vice president, corporate strategy, industry and government affairs effective Sept. 10. Vanstone, currently deputy chief of staff to the prime minister of Canada, was chief of staff to Canada’s minister of finance from 2007 to 2010. He previously practiced law in Toronto with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP.

In addition to his role in helping shape corporate strategy and direction, Vanstone will have overall responsibility for federal, provincial, municipal and community relations as well as industry affairs. This appointment is subject to the approval of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, which has been

Vanstone will report directly to Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO of Air Canada. He will assume the strategy, government and industry affairs portfolio held by Duncan Dee, executive vice president and chief operating officer who is taking early retirement. An announcement on a successor for the chief operating officer post will be made in the near future.