Growing up in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and later on a remote island with no electricity, Ikka Delamer’s path to becoming senior counsel at Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) was anything but conventional. Those early experiences shaped her worldview and instilled a deep appreciation for the government services that supported her family. “I was really aware of the services we were relying on – subsidized housing, unemployment insurance – and the public services I was getting in schooling and health care,” she tells Lexpert. By the time she reached high school, Delamer knew she wanted a career in government, driven by a desire to contribute to a system that provides opportunities for others.
Today, Delamer leads high-stakes negotiations and drafts agreements that have brought historic investments to Ontario. Her work includes landmark deals like Volkswagen’s $7 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing plant in St. Thomas, a project to create 3,000 jobs and cement Ontario’s role in the global EV supply chain. Reflecting on the deal, Delamer says, “I did feel an incredible pride that I was working on this transaction... It’s exciting to work on a deal intended to create high-quality jobs and take a step toward a cleaner environment for future generations.”
The road to public service
Despite her ambition to join the public sector straight out of law school, Delamer’s path wasn’t linear. Financial constraints led her to a private law firm for three years before she transitioned to policy advisory roles in various ministries. “I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to do law,” she recalled. A project with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness reignited her passion for legal work. “A lawyer said, ‘You’re a lawyer; do you want to come back into the law?’ And I thought, yes, I would.”
Since 2007, Delamer has worked as a lawyer in Ontario’s government, enthusiastically tackling complex legal challenges. “I don’t think a single day goes by where I don’t think, ‘I’m so lucky to be here,’” she says. The breadth of her role excites her. “Government legal work touches on so many aspects of life. You’re not just thinking about contract law but also statutes, policies, and public accountability.”
Transforming Ontario through investment deals
Delamer’s work often centers on automotive investments, a sector that contributes $16 billion to Canada’s GDP. She describes her role as a blend of structuring deals, drafting agreements, and providing strategic policy advice. “Our work goes beyond legal considerations to include public policy and business considerations and public accountability,” she says. These multidimensional challenges require what she calls “creativity and nimbleness of thought.”
One of her proudest achievements is securing Volkswagen’s investment. “We helped our clients structure the deal, drafted the agreements, and advised on contract management. It’s a mix of legal and strategic policy advice that makes the work so interesting,” she says.
Her expertise also played a critical role during the pandemic. For example, Delamer helped finalize a $23.3 million deal with 3M Canada to expand N95 mask production in Ontario. “It felt good to make a small contribution to protecting healthcare and frontline workers,” she says.
The rewards and challenges of government legal work
For Delamer, the camaraderie within the government legal team stands out. “You’re not competing for clients; you’re working together, trusting each other,” she notes. This collaboration extends to her work with colleagues like Claudia Xiao and Luka Petrusevski, who serve as counsel with MEDJCT. “One of the best parts of my day is meeting with them. They’re brilliant, creative, and just really fun people.”
However, the job and the work entailed are often complex and multifaceted. “As a lawyer, you think you have the most logical path forward, but government decisions involve risks beyond legal ones – policy and business considerations. You have to respect that your advice is one piece of a larger puzzle,” Delamer says.
Guiding the next generation
As a mentor and regular speaker at the Ministry of the Attorney General, Delamer emphasizes the importance of teamwork and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. “You need to see the success of the team as your success.” Her guidance for aspiring public-sector lawyers includes reaching out to current government lawyers. “We’re happy to share what it’s like to work in the government,” she says, stressing the unique challenges and rewards of the role.
Delamer also believes in staying informed about technological advances like artificial intelligence. She recently organized a presentation on AI’s potential for legal work. “While the private sector can easily adopt new tech, the government needs to ensure it’s making prudent, value-for-money investments,” she says.
Looking ahead
Delamer’s work continues to help shape Ontario’s economy. Whether it’s fostering international investment, supporting local innovation, or mentoring the next generation of lawyers, she remains driven by a passion for meaningful impact. Her journey from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to a leadership role in providing legal services to the government is a powerful example of resilience and dedication. She says, “Supporting a ministry that’s all about a thriving economy in Ontario is meaningful to me – and valuable.”