Michael Van Pelt

President & CEO

 

Michael Van Pelt, President and CEO of Cardus, is a 30 year veteran of Canadian public life and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Since co-founding Cardus in 2000, Michael has helped build the organization into a leading public policy think tank and one of the most profiled and respected faith-based organizations in Canada. 

Prior to Cardus, Michael served with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Chamber of Commerce Network and as a municipal councillor. He remains active in the family construction and development company.

A graduate of McMaster University and the London School of Economics, Michael has authored and co-authored numerous articles ranging from religion and public life to economics and government policy. He consults widely and advises numerous civil society organizations and business leaders helping them strategically connect their beliefs, their behaviours, and their institutional vision.

Michael is a vibrant ideas generator and sought after collaborator and is deeply involved in the research aspects of Cardus. He publishes numerous articles and reports, including: Leadership, Forgiveness, and Our Loves, Cardus at Twenty and Beyond, and Redefining Chaplaincy.

Michael is Chair of the Board of Directors of Fair Havens Ministries, a Christian camp and retreat centre. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Kinvest Impact Foundation and Bezulu International, two organizations that work to bring lasting sustainable change through investing in rural Africa and working alongside local communities.

He lives in Ancaster, Ontario with his wife Deani.

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Writings

Press Releases

Media Coverage

Cardus president appears on special report about Ottawa tragedy
Oct 22, 2014
'Fight for freedom goes beyond the courtroom,' says Cardus president
Apr 9, 2014
Cardus president quoted in National Post coverage of Loyola case
Mar 24, 2014
Cardus cited in CD Howe Institute research paper
May 6, 2013
For All Mankind
Feb 22, 2013
Van Pelt quoted in Embassy News
Feb 20, 2013
Charities have a political problem, says Cardus president
Jun 20, 2012
Van Pelt quoted in B.C. Catholic on religious freedom
Apr 8, 2012
Having faith in our city core
Oct 11, 2011
Cardus' Budget Analysis covered in the B.C. Catholic: "Proposed federal budget leaves much to be desired, says critics"
Jun 17, 2011
Protestant, Catholic graduates differ
May 29, 2011
Daily Commercial News on Cardus trades review
May 12, 2011
Cardus releases 2011 Canadian federal budget analysis
Mar 22, 2011
Increase the incentive to give
Mar 16, 2011
Cardus' MVP on Religion in National Post
Jul 7, 2010
After the Throne Speech: Cardus Staff Respond
Mar 3, 2010
President Michael Van Pelt interviewed on CBC As it Happens
Mar 2, 2010
We must leave room for the city's soul
May 15, 2009
New Downtown Needs Churches, Cardus Says
Apr 4, 2009
Van Pelt on Virtue and Financial Stability
Mar 11, 2009
Cardus: Stimulus Package Requires More Than Money
Jan 27, 2009
Charities want Harper to Increase Tax Credit, Toronto Star covers Cardus Budget Proposal
Jan 20, 2009
News Release: Cardus Recommends Increasing Charitable Credit as part of Stimulus Package
Jan 15, 2009
Cardus Releases Backgrounder on Increasing Charitable Tax Credits
Jan 15, 2009
Where did the Work Research Foundation go?
Oct 16, 2008
Renewing Canada's Social Architecture
Oct 1, 2008
The Urban Paradox
Oct 1, 2007
Time for the Church and State to Reconnect
May 28, 2007
Replacing the Pan-Canadian Consensus
Mar 1, 2006
Education as a Seedbed of Sound Social Change
Jul 22, 2005
Build the future by building trade corridors
Apr 20, 2005
Why Secularism Rules in a Christian Majority Society
Jul 6, 2004
Conservative Chaos
Nov 18, 2002
Support for Unions Up, Study Finds
Jan 23, 2002