June 9, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of Mr. Peter C. Godsoe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ScotiaBank, and Mr. Jacques Bougie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcan Aluminium, as the co-chairs of the corporate sponsorship campaign for the 2001 Summit of the Americas to be held in Québec City from April 20-22.

"I am very pleased that Mr. Godsoe and Mr. Bougie have accepted my invitation to lend their leadership and enthusiasm to the corporate sponsorship campaign, " said the Prime Minister. "I join them in inviting Canadian organizations of all sizes and from all regions to become involved in the campaign as Canada takes centre stage in the Hemisphere."

The corporate sponsorship campaign will provide Canadian organizations with an unparalleled opportunity to showcase to the Americas their achievements and innovations. The funds raised will go toward enhancing Summit events and will help to ensure that a strong legacy is created for Canada in the Americas.

The 2001 Summit of the Americas will bring together 34 Heads of Government to forge a common course for the Americas in the new millennium. It will be the culmination of a series of major inter-American events hosted by Canada, beginning in the summer of 1999 when Canada hosted the Pan American Games in Winnipeg. This was followed by the Conference of Spouses of Heads of State and Government of the Americas in Ottawa in September, and the Americas Business Forum and the FTAA Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto in November. From June 4-6, 2000, Canada hosted the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in Windsor.

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