Canadian Council of Chief Executives Elects Gordon M. Nixon as new Chair, Sets Ambitious Policy Agenda for 2007

January 16, 2007

The Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) has elected Gordon M. Nixon as its new Chair. Mr. Nixon is President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Bank of Canada, and has served as a member of the CCCE’s Executive Committee since 2003.

At its New Year Members’ Meeting in Toronto, the Council also approved an ambitious agenda for the coming year.  The central focus of this agenda will be to enhance the ability of Canadian companies to compete effectively in the global marketplace and to help shape a domestic policy environment that gives primacy to sound economics and good governance.

The CCCE is Canada’s premier business association, with an outstanding record of achievement in matching entrepreneurial initiative with sound public policy choices nationally and globally.  It is composed of 150 chief executives of major enterprises and leading entrepreneurs.  Member CEOs lead companies that collectively administer $3.2 trillion in assets, have annual revenues of more than $750 billion, and are responsible for the vast majority of Canada’s exports, investment, research and development, and training.

Mr. Nixon succeeds former Chair Richard L. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Suncor Energy Inc.  Mr. George remains on the CCCE’s Executive Committee as Honorary Chair.  Newly elected to the Executive Committee is Vice Chair Annette Verschuren, President of The Home Depot Canada.  Also on the Executive Committee are: CCCE Chief Executive and President Thomas d’Aquino; and Vice Chairs Dominic D’Alessandro, Paul Desmarais, Jr., Jacques Lamarre and Hartley T. Richardson, the chief executives respectively of Manulife Financial, Power Corporation of Canada, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., and James Richardson & Sons, Limited.

Mr. Nixon saluted the excellent contribution of Richard George during his four-year tenure as Council Chair.  During this period, the CCCE launched two groundbreaking initiatives: the North American Security and Prosperity Initiative, which became a powerful catalyst for closer continental cooperation; and From Bronze to Gold: A Blueprint for Canadian Leadership in a Transforming World, which helped re-order national priorities in support of stronger growth and improved governance.

Looking ahead, Mr. Nixon noted that Canada is entering a year of economic challenges and political uncertainties, with elections expected nationally and in both Quebec and Ontario.  Against that background, the competitive pressures on Canadian-based companies continue to grow. “Canada’s industries and workforces are facing profoundly transformative changes, and the impact of Asia’s astounding economic growth will continue to reshape the lives of all Canadians,” he said.  “We must leave no stone unturned in the search for ways to make progress toward our broad strategic goal of a more competitive and prosperous country.”

In laying out the strategic priorities for Council members, Mr. d’Aquino said, “We must put fresh ideas and solutions before Canadians in the fiscal, taxation, environmental, regulatory and international trade and investment policy domains.  Our emphasis in 2007 will be to help translate good policy into action. Electoral uncertainties will not stand in the way of our efforts.  In accordance with the Council’s longstanding non-partisan traditions, we will work with elected representatives in both government and opposition, as well as others who share our passion for building a better Canada.”