Navdeep Bains, pictured in the House of Commons in 2021, is leaving his post at Rogers Communications, according to a company memo.PATRICK DOYLE/The Canadian Press
Former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains is leaving his position as chief corporate affairs officer of Rogers Communications Inc. RCI-B-T, according to an internal memo viewed by The Globe and Mail.
Mr. Bains is departing the telecom and media company as he is gaining support from Liberal politicians to potentially run for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. Earlier in the week, several federal and provincial Liberals told The Globe that they are encouraging Mr. Bains to seek the leadership and that he is seriously considering it.
The Ontario Liberals, currently in third place in the legislature, will select their new leader on Nov. 21.
Mr. Bains left politics in 2021, after 13 years in elected office. He held senior roles in former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s government, including as minister of innovation, science and industry, as well as in key organizing roles for the federal Liberal Party.
Mr. Bains joined Rogers in May, 2023, after spending 18 months as vice-chair of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce’s investment banking arm. His job included overseeing environmental, social and governance issues, including Rogers’s expansion of high-speed internet and 5G mobile service to rural and Indigenous communities.
“I am writing to share that Navdeep Bains has decided to leave Rogers effective May 8,” Rogers chief executive officer Tony Staffieri said in a message to employees Friday.
“I’d like to thank Nav for his contributions to advance the strategic importance of our sector to key stakeholders across the country. During his three years with the company, he has helped advance our sustainability efforts, drive policy reform, and advance our network build,” Mr. Staffieri said.
Mr. Bains could not immediately be reached for comment.
With reports from Laura Stone and Stephanie Levitz