Intellectual property (IP) advisors act as a source of information about IP for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, intermediaries in the innovation system, post-secondary institutions, and government stakeholders.
Find us at events
IP advisors support innovation activities by delivering IP seminars and attending events held across the country. Search our calendar for upcoming events in your area!
Contact an Intellectual Property Advisor (IPA)
IP advisors help SMEs and entrepreneurs understand the strategic value of their IP, and provide information and guidance in developing an IP strategy aligned with their business objectives.
Select your regional IP advisor from the list below and email them to book a meeting.
Atlantic Region - for residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador
IP advisor: André Gallant
André Gallant, Juris Doctor (2002), diploma in health sciences, diploma in tourism, is Atlantic Canada's IP advisor. In addition to working in IP law, André has also worked as a tax lawyer for more than 10 years with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), with 2 large firms and with judges from 2 federal courts. Over the years, he's also acquired experience in event planning.
To top it off, André is a published author, a frequent speaker and an amateur piano composer. Some of his publications were cited by other authors, including by judges in 3 different published speeches.
He was also formally recognized in publications as having assisted other authors on their articles for publication, including a Tax Court of Canada judge, a CRA assistant commissioner, an Emeritus law professor and 2 senior private sector tax lawyers.
André was a guest on episode 30 of CIPO's Canadian IP Voices podcast.
Quebec Region – for residents of Quebec
IP advisor: Nicolas Déziel
Nicolas Déziel holds a bachelor's degree in education (B.Ed) and a certificate in public communication from Université Laval. He has been working at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) since 2015, starting as a Training Officer in the Patent Branch. In 2018, he became a Business Services Design and Development Officer, where he created digital products and resources for the CIPO website on a variety of IP related topics that directly supported the Government of Canada's National IP Strategy . Since then, he has gained extensive knowledge of the IP ecosystem in Canada, and has been active in learning design, outreach and training to Canadian innovators, creators and business owners, to support IP awareness and education on a broad scale.
Nicolas is now working as an Intellectual Property Advisor (IPA) for the Quebec Region. He works closely with Canadian innovators and small and medium-sized businesses to help them increase their IP knowledge base. This includes helping them consider how to strategically leverage their IP assets in support of their business objectives.
Ontario Region – for residents of Ontario
IP advisor: Dumitru Olariu
Dumitru Olariu has a Master of Science in electrical engineering and a Master of Business Administration. He has worked with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) as a patent examiner, then as an IP advisor based first in Montreal, then in Vancouver and now in Toronto. Before joining CIPO, he worked for six years in the electronics industry.
Northern and Eastern Ontario Region – for residents of Northern and Eastern Ontario
IP advisor: Elizabeth Collinson
Elizabeth Collinson has worked with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for more than 20 years in a variety of roles, including trademark examiner and business development officer. She is now working as an IP advisor for the Northern and Eastern Ontario Region, and has a passion for helping entrepreneurs understand the importance and value of IP. Elizabeth is also an inactive trademark agent, listed on the College of Patent Agents & Trademark Agents' register.
Manitoba Region – for residents of Manitoba
IP advisor: Elizabeth Collinson
Elizabeth Collinson has worked with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for more than 20 years in a variety of roles, including trademark examiner and business development officer. She is now working as an IP advisor for the Manitoba Region, and has a passion for helping entrepreneurs understand the importance and value of IP. Elizabeth is also an inactive trademark agent, listed on the College of Patent Agents & Trademark Agents' register.
Prairie and Northern Region – for residents of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Yukon, and Northwest Territories
IP advisor: Marnie Fyten
Marnie Fyten has a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Alberta and a Master of Business Administration. She has done internships in technology transfer and marketing with the University of Saskatchewan and with Sony in Japan. Marnie has worked with several federal, provincial and territorial organizations, in policy development and program delivery across the Prairie and Northern Region and in Ottawa.
British Columbia Region – for residents of British Columbia
IP advisor: Dumitru Olariu
Dumitru Olariu has a Master of Science in electrical engineering and a Master of Business Administration. He has worked with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) as a patent examiner, then as an IP advisor based first in Montreal, then in Vancouver and now in Toronto. Before joining CIPO, he worked for six years in the electronics industry.
Book a free IP guest speaker
The IP Bank of Speakers is a collaborative effort of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC). CIPO and IPIC deliver three free IP presentations annually to public and private organizations across Canada.