Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) Honours Simon Reisman

March 11, 2008

Thomas d’Aquino, Chief Executive and President of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), today issued this statement on the passing of Simon Reisman:

“The Canadian Council of Chief Executives pays tribute to Simon Reisman, a proud and passionate Canadian whose many accomplishments as a career public servant helped to build a stronger and more prosperous Canada.  In the early 1960s he negotiated the Auto Pact, a seminal agreement that laid the foundation for today’s integrated North American automotive industry.  He was Canada’s first deputy minister of Industry and played a key role in modernizing the policy framework that guides economic development in this country.  His crowning achievement, the 1988 Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA), has contributed immeasurably to Canada’s economic growth and confidence on the world stage.  As the chief negotiator in talks that led to the FTA, Simon displayed wisdom, courage and tenacity in equal measure. Without his efforts, Canada would not be the economic success it is today.

“Canadians owe much to Simon Reisman. As business leaders, we salute his memory and express our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Reisman’s family.”