I was born and raised in Margaree Forks, Cape Breton. I did university studies, with a focus on political science and economics, at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., Oxford (on a Rhodes Scholarship), and Queen?s University, Kingston, Ont. In my late 20s, I spent a further three years studying theology in Montreal and Toronto to be a diocesan Catholic priest, but decided against that option in the end and made my career in the public service in Ottawa.

Most of my professional career has been in various executive roles with the Government of Canada, based in Ottawa. My areas of work and expertise with the Government of Canada included federal-provincial relations and major transfers, innovation, science policy and national unity.

I was married to Jean Scott from Scotland in 1995. We have two daughters, both graduating in 2024; the oldest from medical school at McGill University and the youngest from veterinary medicine, at the University of Edinburgh. We also have two West Highland terriers — Hamish and Fergus.

In addition to photography, my interests include travel, reading and cooking. I have kept active over the years by running, biking, cross country skiing and rowing.