Edward Safarian

Edward Safarian was born in Hamilton, Ontario. He received his B.A. in Economics from University of Toronto and his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1950. He has served as President of the Canadian Economics Association (1977-78) and has been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada since 1973. He was a Professor of Economics at the University of Saskatchewan from 1956 to 1966. He has been an Economics professor at the University of Toronto since 1966 and of Business Economics since 1989. He served as Dean of the University’s School of Graduate Studies from 1972 to 1976.

"Safarian, an internationally renowned economist, teacher and researcher, has been making major contributions to the understanding of foreign direct investment and international trade for more than 50 years. He has also had a significant impact on public policy in Canada through his writings on free trade and competition policy and as a consultant to the federal government on the economic aspects of the Canadian Constitution. Numerous organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Foundation, have benefited from his leadership and experience." (University of Toronto News, Sept.12/05).

Professor Safarian appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 2005. The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour. It is Canada’s highest honour for lifetime achievement.