Prime Minister appoints Council on Asia Pacific
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of 20 prominent Canadians to serve on the Prime Minister's Council on Asia Pacific.
"Canada is increasingly aware of its identity as a Pacific nation," said the Prime Minister. "This group of prominent Canadians from the private sector will advise the government on how Canada can make the most of the exciting opportunities in this dynamic region."
The Prime Minister's Council on Asia Pacific will fulfill a number of functions. It will advise the Prime Minister and the government on Canada's business strategies in the Asia Pacific region, including trade and investment liberalization. It will serve as a consultative body to Canada's representatives to the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Business Advisory Council as Canada prepares to host the APEC Leaders Meeting in Vancouver in November 1997. It will help to raise awareness among Canadians of the many opportunities offered to Canada as a Pacific nation, in particular by serving as an advisory body to the government on Canada's Year of Asia Pacific, in 1997.
The Chair of the Council will be International Trade Minister Art Eggleton. Council members will serve on a volunteer basis for a two-year period.
Council members include Paul Gobeil, Terry Hui, Dorothy Riddle, Laurent Beaudoin, Jacques Bougie, Tamako Yagai Copithorne, Dominic D'Alessandro, D. Ross Fitzpatrick, Robert A. Fung, Marsha P. Hanen, C.K. Jespersen, Geraldine Kenney-Wallace, Peter Kruyt, Kenneth L. Matchett, Ken McCready, E.F. Anthony Merchant, Robert Peterson, John Risley, Jean-Claude Villiard, and Steven S.C. Wu.
Biographical information is attached.
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Paul H. Gobeil of Quebec is the Vice-Chair of Métro-Richelieu Inc. and Co-Chair of Aeorospatiale (Canada) Inc. He is also the Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council.
Terry Hui of British Columbia is President and CEO of Concord Pacific Developments Corp. He is also a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council.
Dr. Dorothy Riddle of Ontario and British Columbia is President and CEO of Service-Growth Consultants. She is also a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council.
Laurent Beaudoin of Quebec is Chairman and CEO of Bombardier Inc.
Jacques Bougie of Quebec is President and CEO of Alcan Aluminum Ltd.
Tamako Yagai Copithorne of British Columbia is Director of Japanese Culture and Communication at the David Lam Centre for International Communication, Simon Fraser University.
Dominic D'Alessandro of Ontario is President and CEO of Manufacturers Life Insurance Company.
D. Ross Fitzpatrick of British Columbia is a well-known businessman.
Robert A. Fung of Ontario is Vice-Chairman of Gordon Capital Corporation.
Dr. Marsha P. Hanen of Manitoba is President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg.
C.K. (Kent) Jespersen of Alberta is Senior Vice President of NOVA Corporation, and President of NOVA Gas International Ltd.
Dr. Geraldine Kenney-Wallace of Ontario is former President of McMaster University, and former President of the Science Council of Canada.
Peter Kruyt of Quebec is Vice-President of Power Corporation of Canada, President of Power Broadcasting Inc., and Vice-Chairman of the Canada China Business Council.
Kenneth L. Matchett of Manitoba is Chief Executive Officer of XCAN Grain Pool Ltd., and Co-Chairman of the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters Canada.
Ken McCready of Alberta is the former President and CEO of TransAlta Corporation.
E.F. Anthony Merchant of Saskatchewan is a Partner in the Merchant Law Group.
Robert Peterson of Saskatchewan is President and Chief Operating Officer of Denro Holdings Ltd.
John Risley of Nova Scotia is President of Clearwater Fine Foods Inc.
Jean-Claude Villiard of Quebec is President of SNC-Lavalin Capital Inc.
Steven S.C. Wu of British Columbia is President and CEO
of Interlink Investments Group Ltd.
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