Allan Cantor, Q.C.

CJNU Director

I was born in Saskatoon, grew up in Regina and came to Winnipeg to go to University in 1947, graduating in Commerce in 1950 and then went on to take law, graduating in 1954. I then practiced law in Winnipeg, initially with the firm of Cantor, Matas and Simkin, which latterly grew into Simkin Gallagher, a firm of about 30 lawyers with support staff of about 45, of which firm I was senior partner and chairman of its executive committee until 1993, when the firm dissolved. Although I practiced in most areas of law at one time or another, in latter years I concentrated on commercial and corporate law, estate planning and tax work. I was awarded a Queen’s Counsel in 1978.

In 1993 I became Senior Vice President and General Counsel to a group of private companies in the field of electronic data interchange, processing debit and credit card transactions for several large financial institutions and banks, EDI for the transportation industry, mainly air lines, and electronic processing of dental and prescription drug claims for seven of the largest life insurance companies in Canada. The companies had offices in Winnipeg, Toronto, San Diego, London, Zurich, Milan and Verona, and until I retired from those companies in 2000, I was mostly living outside of Winnipeg.

I returned to Winnipeg in 2000, and was associated as counsel with Pitblado LLP, a large Winnipeg law firm, until March, 2011, when I retired from the active practice of law.

I have been an active volunteer in a large number of organizations. I was President of my federal riding association. As a member of the Manitoba Bar Association, I was President in 1983-84, and on the national executive of the Canadian Bar Association in 1984-85.

As a member of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, I was the first chairman of the Environment-Sustainable Development Committee of the Chamber. I became the owner of a cottage in Loni Beach, in Gimli and when the residents needed representation I helped organize and became the first President of the Loni Beach Residents Association. I became a Mason and was Master of my Masonic Lodge on two occasions and District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba in 1992-93. I am a member of the Shrine and was President of my Unit for two years. I joined the Winnipeg North Rotary Club and served as President, as Editor of its bulletin for five years and currently am chairman of its high school scholarships committee which annually awards three university entrance scholarships to high school students attending 9 high schools in north Winnipeg. I served as a director of the Canadian Condominium Institute-Manitoba Chapter during the period October, 2010 to October, 2011.

Currently, besides serving as a director of Nostalgia Broadcasting Cooperative Inc., I am President of my Condominium Corporation.

I am married and have four children and four grandchildren.