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Rob Dowler

Contract Lecturer
EducationBA, MSc
OfficeSBB-446, South Bond Building
Areas of ExpertiseGovernance and planning decision-making boards; Planning administration and implementation; Housing policy; Transit-supportive development; Smart cities and smart regulation; Project management and conflict resolution.

I was an assistant deputy minister (ADM) in Cabinet Office Policy and various other ministries prior to retiring in the fall of 2015. After over 30 years of public service, I now devote my time to teaching in the urban and regional planning programs at the University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University. I also serve as chair and interim president of the Ring of Fire Infrastructure Development Corporation. I am a keen supporter of a number of local charities.

Prior to joining the Cabinet Office in 2010, I was the corporate chief strategist for Enterprise IT in the Government of Ontario. Before that, I served as policy and operations ADMs in the former Ministries of Government Services and Consumer and Business Services.

  • PLG810: Planning Implementation and Administration

  • Ontario Amethyst Award for Innovation

  • IPAC Award for Innovative Management

  • U.S. National Consumer Agency Achievement Award

  • Two U.S. Achievement in Consumer Education Awards

  • The Ontario Environmental Commissioner’s Award and the Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence