Hugh Paton is President of Paton Consulting Inc. a Human Resources firm specializing in drug benefit plan solutions. He is working to empower and give control to those who pay for public and private drug benefit plans. Hugh is the Executive Director of the new Health Plan Payers of Canada organization, created to give voice, purchasing power and influence to those who pay for drug benefits in Canada. In 2010, Paton Consulting formed a strategic alliance with Connolly Financial Group to provide additional services and experience to clients.

A Dalhousie University Commerce and Law graduate, Hugh began his human resources career in 1992 as a pension legal consultant, and later moved to Toronto to pursue group benefits consulting experience. In 1998 he relocated to Prince Edward Island as a senior group benefits consultant and regional manager, and in 2001 moved ‘in-house’ to consult for Bell Aliant where, as Senior Benefits and Compensation Consultant, his responsibilities included compensation design, group benefits design, administration, communication, financial management and union negotiation, as well as pandemic planning. Hugh has led the implementation of a new flexible benefits program for Bell Aliant’s 9,000 employees, replacing a complex platform of previous plans. As a lawyer, Hugh has a strong knowledge of legal and tax issues affecting benefits plans. He is also a member of the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute and World at Work Society of Certified Professionals.

Hugh lives in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island with his wife Jill and four young children. He is a member of the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce Labour Market Committee, a Cub Scout leader, and fundraiser for the Red Cross. He enjoys sailing (ask him about aborted ocean crossings!) and downhill skiing in his spare time.