Michael Pearson is a senior official with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He previously worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade where he was Senior Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Coordinator for Foreign Policy in the department.

He is the son of former diplomat Geoffrey Pearson

Geoffrey Pearson

Geoffrey Arthur Holland Pearson, OC was a Canadian diplomat and author. Born in Toronto, Ontario, he was the son of former Prime Minister of Canada Lester B. Pearson and Maryon Pearson....

 and grandson of the former Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson

Lester B. Pearson

Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson, PC, OM, CC, OBE was a Canadian professor, historian, civil servant, statesman, diplomat, and politician, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for organizing the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis...

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Pearson is a graduate of international affairs from the Norman Paterson School at Carleton University

Carleton University

Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...

 in Ottawa, Ontario and has been with the DFAIT for over 20 years.

Pearson [is a member of the North-South Institute -this does not seem to be true] and has his own policy consulting business.