February 11, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is pleased to announce that Mr. Hugh MacDiarmid has accepted his invitation to chair the External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation. Mr. MacDiarmid is the President of Killin Management Corporation and he also serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Policy Forum.

The External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation (EACSR) will provide an external perspective and expert advice to the Government of Canada on regulatory issues spanning economic and social policy objectives, as outlined in the September 2002 Speech from the Throne.

"I am delighted that Mr. MacDiarmid has accepted this important role, working on behalf of all Canadians" said the Prime Minister. "We need a modern regulatory system designed for the 21st century that will protect the health and safety of Canadians, preserve the environment and create an environment of innovation and growth." Mr. MacDiarmid has broad experience, including in the development of public policy, and has had a longstanding interest in regulatory matters. He will work with industry, regulatory experts and other stakeholders to develop concrete, practical and forward-looking advice for the government.

EACSR members will soon be appointed from various sectors, including the business, non-governmental and academic communities. The Committee is expected to fulfill its mandate within 12 to 15 months.

The establishment of an advisory body on regulatory issues was a key recommendation of the November 2002 Report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Canada ’s regulatory performance, entitled Canada: Maintaining Leadership Through Innovation. 
 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
EXTERNAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON SMART REGULATION

Canada has a strong system of regulatory governance that has proven to be a solid foundation for effective regulation. However, as the policy environment continues to evolve, the Government of Canada, working with stakeholders, needs to anticipate how change affects our approach to regulation. Issues that must be considered include, for example: an increase in scientific and technological advances; greater mobility of people and skills; growing empowerment of citizens through enhanced access to information; global cooperation on economic, political and security matters; and, cross boundary health and environmental risks.

In the Speech from the Throne in September 2002, the Government of Canada made a commitment to move forward with a smart regulation strategy "...to accelerate reforms in key areas to promote health and sustainability, to contribute to innovation and economic growth, and to reduce the administrative burden on business."

To ensure that the regulatory system continues to provide Canada with a strategic competitive advantage, there is a need to rethink conventional assumptions. Regulations need to be looked at from the perspective of the contribution they can make to spur innovation for the social and economic interests of Canadians.

In a 12-15 month time-frame, the External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation will recommend where and how the government needs to redesign its regulatory approach to create and maintain a Canadian advantage. It will provide an external perspective and expert advice on current regulatory issues as well as on a Canadian regulatory strategy for the 21st century.

Hugh MacDiarmid is President of Killin Management Corporation, a private management company based in Ottawa engaged in technology equity investments.

Prior to founding Killin Management, Mr. MacDiarmid held various senior executive positions, including Executive Vice-President, Commercial of Canadian Pacfic Railway, President of SC Stormont Corporation, President of DVS Communications, and President & CEO of Lumonics, Inc. He also was a Principal of McKinsey & Company, a leading international management consulting firm.

Mr. MacDiarmid obtained his Honours Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1974 and his Masters of Business Administration degree from Stanford University in 1979, where he graduated as a Miller Scholar. Mr. MacDiarmid was born and raised in Toronto. He has recently returned from Calgary to reside in Ottawa.

Mr. MacDiarmid currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Public Policy Forum. He is also a director and Vice-Chairman of MetroPhotonics Inc. and a director of IEC Holden Limited. Previously, Mr. MacDiarmid served on several private sector boards and various voluntary boards including serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ottawa General Hospital and as a Governor of Ortech International.

PMO Press Office:  (613) 957-5555.