Riaz Kara - Public Policy Forum

Riaz Kara

Vice-President, Policy

Riaz Kara’s career in federal and provincial government has spanned areas of strategic policy, regulatory management, business transformation, organizational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, issues management, data analytics and change leadership.

Before joining PPF, Riaz was Director General, Housing Policy & Partnerships at Housing, Infrastructure & Communities Canada where he led housing policy integration across the federal government, including linkages with immigration, health and industrial strategy as well as the department’s work with provinces and territories. In this role, he also held stewardship of Solving the Housing Crisis: Canada’s Housing Plan, which launched in April 2024. Riaz was formerly Vice-President, Social Policy & Equity at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as well as Executive Director, Employment Equity Act Review Secretariat at Employment & Social Development Canada. Through his nearly two decades in public service, he has received awards in areas of leadership, innovation and service delivery.

Riaz holds a master’s degree in economic history from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Trent University. In 2019, he completed the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Certificate in Public Sector Leadership.

Riaz joined PPF in 2024.