Brian Topp is one of Canada’s most successful New Democrat strategists. “A key figure in the NDP’s rise over the past decade,” according to Maclean’s magazine. Brian is a Partner in Kook Topp & Guy Public Affairs. He previously was Executive Director and CEO of ACTRA Toronto, a professional union in the film and television industry. Before that he was Senior Vice President at Credit Union Central of Canada (CUCC), the national office of Canada’s credit union system. He also served as Vice President (Government Relations) for CUCC, representing the credit union system during a successful round of discussions over reform of banking legislation. Under the leadership of Premier Roy Romanow, he served as deputy chief of staff in the Premier’s office of the Government of Saskatchewan.
Brian served as national campaign director for the New Democratic Party of Canada in two federal elections under the leadership of NDP Leader Jack Layton. He played a senior national campaign role in four other federal campaigns as well as in five provincial ones. He has served in numerous other roles in his party, including a stint as its national president. He was a candidate to succeed Jack Layton as Leader of the New Democratic Party, coming second in that race with 43% of the vote on the final ballot.
He is chair of the board of Creative Arts Savings and Credit Union; a director at ROI Fund, part of a $1.4 billion venture capital fund family; and a director at Pinewood Toronto, a major film and television studio.
Married with two teenaged children, Brian was born and raised in Montreal; graduated from McGill University in history and political science; lives in Toronto; and is fluently bilingual.
