Mr. Sparkes is an accomplished business executive with over 20 years experience in the public and private sectors.

For the past decade he was a leader in the broadcast and new media industry for Canada's premier media company where he most recently served as CTVglobemedia's Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs. Mr. Sparkes also held senior positions in the public service, including with the Government of Canada as Director of Operations to then Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as a senior aide to two Premiers; Clyde Wells and Brian Tobin. Mr. Sparkes serves on a number of boards including the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the National Arts Center Foundation, and is the Chair and founding member of the Smiling Land Foundation.