Prime Minister announces appointments to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy


October 22, 1998
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointments of Irene So, Douglas B. Deacon and Emery P. LeBlanc as members of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy.

The Round Table was established in 1994 as an independent agency of the federal government committed to providing decision makers and opinion leaders with reliable information and objective views on the debate on the relationship between the environment and the economy.

It is a multi-sectoral body which acts as a catalyst in identifying, explaining and promoting the principles and practices of sustainable development throughout Canada. It brings together distinguished Canadians from all sectors of society -- government, industry, labour, academia, environmental organizations and aboriginal groups -- dedicated to the promotion of sustainable development.

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Biographies attached.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW MEMBERS

Irene So, from Toronto, is Vice-President and Associate Portfolio manager of RBC Dominion Securities, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. Ms. So is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Toronto. She is currently Chair of the Chinese Advisory Council of RBC Dominion Securities. Ms. So is also involved in various professional organizations, including the Federation of Canadian Chinese Professionals.

Douglas B. Deacon, from Charlottetown, owns Trailside Café and Adventures, an eco- tourism company. He is also past Vice-President of the Island Nature Trust of Prince Edward Island, the first non-profit private nature trust in Canada. The Trust's objectives are to manage lands as an example of appropriate and sustained use as well as to educate the public to recognize the value of and the need for protecting habitat and wildlife. Mr. Deacon has a degree in Economics from the University of Prince Edward Island.

Emery P. LeBlanc, from Montreal, is Executive Vice-President of Alumina and Primary Metal for Alcan Aluminium Limited. He is the past Vice-President, Research, Technology and Environment. The Alcan Group operates in over 30 countries and has implemented an integrated environmental management strategy which makes environmental issues equal among other business objectives. Mr. LeBlanc holds an engineering degree from the University of New Brunswick.


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