Jim Tanner’s business experience started with the management of a food cooperative and restaurant in Edmonton. He then entered the oil and gas business as an accountant and economic consultant assessing gas supply and regulatory reporting.

With a partner, he started an oil and gas company in 1984, which was listed on the Alberta Stock Exchange and sold to an international company in 1996. In 1999 he was hired to assess reserve estimation methodology, marginal fields and royalty systems in Colombia, South America.

In 1995, Mr. Tanner was elected to the Council of the Municipal District of Foothills. During this time he participated in the forest harvest management plan for Kananaskis Country. He was a member of the Board of the Cross Conservation Area and participated in land use and environmental hearings both as a Panel Member and intervener. He also assisted in the negotiation of inter-municipal agreements between the City of Calgary and the Municipality of Foothills.

Since 2000, he has been working with Aboriginal groups in Alberta and the Northwest Territories assessing traditional livelihoods and traditional land use studies.

He attended the University of Alberta where he obtained both a BA and MA in Economics. After receiving the Sloan Fellowship in 1983, he studied management and international law at M.I.T. and Harvard. He is finishing his PhD at the University of Calgary.

He is married to Cathi with two daughters, Caroline and April.