Committee’s rejection of Gwyn Morgan ‘deplorable’, Thomas d’Aquino says

May 16, 2006

Comments by Thomas d’Aquino, Chief Executive and President of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, on today’s decision by a Committee of the House of Commons to reject the appointment of Gwyn Morgan, former President and CEO of EnCana Corporation, as Chair of the Public Appointments Commission:

“The vote in Committee today rejecting the Prime Minister’s appointment of Gwyn Morgan as Chair of the Public Appointments Commission is both sad and deplorable.”

“I have worked with some 1,000 CEOs during the past 25 years and Gwyn Morgan ranks among the highest in competence, integrity and commitment to his country.”

“Gwyn Morgan offered his services to Canada at ‘a dollar a year’, hoping to bring independence and the highest ethical standards to the appointments process. In the Committee hearing this morning, I had the misfortune to witness a highly partisan exercise aimed at discrediting a decent and generous citizen who offered to give his best to the country. This decision is certain to have a chilling effect on other exceptional individuals who would be more than pleased to volunteer their services for Canada.”