Congratulations to Canada’s 21st Prime Minister

December 12, 2003

Dear Prime Minister,

Together with my colleagues, the members of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, I extend to you our warmest congratulations on the occasion of your swearing in as Canada’s 21st Prime Minister at Government House in Ottawa this morning.

It gives us special pleasure to salute your achievement as the most distinguished Council alumnus in the public life of Canada. Having so successfully combined a career in both business and politics, you are a model to all Canadians who aspire to serve their community and their country.

This morning, you have assembled within your new Cabinet a strong team of dedicated Canadians eager to advance Canada’s social and economic progress. My Council colleagues and I look forward to working with you and with them as together we pursue the goal of making Canada the best place in the world in which to live, to work, to invest and to grow.

This morning, you have signaled an extremely important reordering of Canada’s priorities which the Council strongly applauds. You also have launched profound changes to the manner in which our country will be governed. This bold move towards greater transparency, accountability and parliamentary engagement has our strong support.

As you and your team pursue this ambitious agenda, the Council looks forward to contributing with our ideas. As a non-partisan organization, dedicated to helping shape responsible public policies in the pursuit of Canada’s domestic, North American and global objectives, we will continue to take pride in offering the best possible independent advice.

Ahead of you and all of us in Canada lie tough challenges that will be affected by growing uncertainty and threats to public security. Also ahead lie extraordinary opportunities where Canadian leadership can make a difference. We are committed to doing everything in our power to enhance our collective leadership potential.

Prime Minister, as you begin the exciting journey before you, we wish you every success.

Sincerely,

Thomas d’Aquino