Senator Marty Klyne was declared an Independent Senator in the Senate of Canada (Saskatchewan) on September 27, 2018. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of FHQ Development Ltd. Prior to his appointment to the Senate, Marty was Chief Executive Officer of the RCMP Heritage Centre which followed a very productive and rewarding undertaking as Chief Operating Officer of the Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group (Operating as the Regina Pats Hockey Club, a major Junior Hockey Team in the WHL).
Marty was also a sessional lecturer at the First Nations University of Canada and from 2008 to 2013 he was the Publisher / CEO of Saskatchewan’s two major daily newspapers, the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post, both divisions of Postmedia Network Inc.
Previous to Postmedia, he was President and CEO of Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, a Crown Corporation operating Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw. Before joining the Gaming Corporation he served as: President and CEO of the Regina Regional Economic Development Authority; Executive Vice President of MAACO Systems Canada; and, President and CEO of SaskNative Economic Development Corporation following management positions with Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and the Mercantile Bank of Canada.
After finishing high school and before deciding to attend university, Marty held supervisory and project management positions with Genstar Ready-Mix, W.F. Botkin Ready-Mix, Canada Caisson and Cindercrete Products.
Throughout the course of his career, Marty has acquired over ten years’ banking experience including corporate and commercial lending, retail banking and fiduciary services. He also has complementary financial and investment analysis experience including: eight years’ experience as member, Vice-Chair and Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, a Governor in Council appointed board mandated to provide strategic policy advice to the government on matters related to Indigenous economic development including recommendations to the Minister responsible for developmental lending / contributions $250k+ to Indigenous communities; ten years’ (to present) experience as a member of the Board of Directors of FHQ Developments Ltd., presiding over investments in limited partnerships, joint ventures and other forms of sustainable investments / business ventures and economic development and business opportunities that provide equity ownership in key economic sectors for its eleven First Nation community members; eight years’ experience serving on the Clarence Campeau Development Fund Board of Directors presiding over commercial lending and equity investment arrangements to / with SK Métis entrepreneurs; and, six-plus years on the Access to Capital Board presiding over federal interests in support of Canada’s fifty-six (56) Aboriginal Financial Institutions.
His banking, finance, and investment work provides him with valuable and transferable experience in pulling together and tearing apart financing proposals, strategic plans, business plans, and recovery/turnaround plans. He has experience in formulating, developing, implementing, critiquing and analyzing the plans and proposals of some two hundred businesses, large and small, across a wide range of business sectors (commercial real estate, manufacturing, processing, transportation, agriculture, oil and gas servicing, forestry, retail and tourism and hospitality).
Marty is a lateral thinker able to connect his wide variety of experience, acquired knowledge and lessons learned from different industries allowing him to look at situations from a fresh perspective and think resourcefully when approaching challenges and opportunities.
He has a strong desire to create value no matter where he works or volunteers, combining his motivation to: succeed professionally and make a valued contribution toward the achievement of desired results; help others achieve their goals; find ways of simplifying complex situations for others; and, make a positive contribution toward social impact.
Marty’s past commitments to the community include serving on a number of boards and committees including: Interim Reconciliation Regina Council; Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Labour Market Council; Economic Development Regina Board of Directors; Globe Theatre, Regina; Regina Palliative Care Inc.; Mackenzie Art Gallery; Ignite Adult Learning Corporation; University of Regina Alumni Association; National Aboriginal Economic Development Board (Chairperson); SaskPower Board of Directors (Vice Chair); Champions | Aboriginal Human Resource Council; Access to Capital Board; and, the Clarence Campeau Development Fund Board of Directors. He also served on the Lieutenant Governor’s Centennial Gala Board and was President of Grey Cup 2003.
Marty has spent much of his time advancing Aboriginal economic development and speaking up for Indigenous interests to accelerate Indigenous participation in the mainstream economy.
For his contributions to the business sector and his community, Marty has received: the Alumni Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement from the University of Regina; a First Nations Blanket from the ‘Assembly of First Nations’ National Chief, Perry Bellegarde; a white eagle feather (the highest honour one can receive in Indigenous culture) from Elmer Eashappie, a Sun Dancer from the Carry the Kettle Nakoda First Nation; the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal; and, the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.
Mr. Klyne was born, raised and educated in Regina. He has achieved a Pro.Dir™ Designation and graduated With Distinction from the University of Regina holding a degree in Business Administration, Finance Major.
