Ian E. Bennett (8 June 1948 – 22 January 2018) was a Master of the Royal Canadian Mint (President and CEO). He held this position from June 12, 2006, and his mandate was extended to 2014.[1] Prior to his appointment, Bennett held several positions within the Department of Finance including Deputy Minister from November 2004 to June 2006. He also served as Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund representing Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean countries from September 2001 to October 2004.
Bennett has also held other senior positions within the federal government including Associate Deputy Minister of Finance and G7 Deputy for Canada from 1998 to 2001, Associate Deputy Minister of Revenue Canada and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations). Born in Nelson, British Columbia, he held a Bachelor of Arts degree (First Class Honours Economics/Commerce) from Simon Fraser University and a Masters of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Toronto.[2]
As President of the Royal Canadian Mint, Bennett's notable accomplishments included the introduction of the new Mint Mark on all Canadian Circulation Coins and the partnership with the Vancouver Organizing Committee to produce coins for the 2010 Winter Olympic and 2010 Winter Paralympics. He died on January 22, 2018, after a brief illness.[3]