Founding CEO Business Council of Canada; Chairman Emeritus, National Gallery of Canada Foundation; Honorary Professor, Ivey School of Business, Western University; CEO Intercounsel Ltd.
#NorthAmerica stronger when we work together. I attended the meeting of the #NorthAmericanForum in #Ottawa these past two days led by #Canada Co-chair Goldy Hyder, #US Co-chair #ThomasShannon and #Mexico Co-chair #JaimeZabludovsky. Attended by leaders from all three countries, the substantive and frank discussions covering #trade #investment #energy #environment #security #defence and #foreignpolicy made it amply clear that continental cooperation with the #USMCA at its heart is by far the most effective way of enhancing #NorthAmericanCompetitiveness. As one of the founders and Canada Co-chair Emeritus of the Forum, I have witnessed first-hand over the past two decades how relationship-building among Americans, Canadians and Mexicans has contributed to #growth #innovation and #jobcreation. While there have been highly significant political changes recently in the leadership of both Mexico and the United States, and a national election is in the offing in Canada, no one should underestimate the resilience of trilateral cooperation. Admittedly, elements of this cooperation can and should be improved, for example, in addressing trade irritants, protectionism, economic inequality, more inclusive job creation, accelerating innovation and fighting continental crime. As I attest in my recent book #PrivatePowerPublicPurpose, the role of business in advancing the trilateral agenda is seminal. This we must do harnessing the power of our ideas and the massive body of talent residing in our three countries. As former Co-chair of the Forum, I had the privilege of working closely with my U.S. Co-chair and friend Secretary George Shultz, one of America’s greatest statesmen and a powerful advocate of North American cooperation. As he often and wisely reminded us at our Forum meetings, our continental neighbourhood is akin to a garden - it should be top of mind and looked after with great care. #BusinessCouncilofCanada #CanadianChamberofCommerce #CoalitionforaBetterFuture
As co-chair of the North American Forum along with Ambassador Thomas Shannon and Jaime Zabludovsky, I was pleased to participate in an important and timely meeting in Ottawa this week. Read our joint statement: