PRIME MINISTER APPOINTS GAÉTAN LUSSIER AS NEW CHAIR OF THE EXTERNAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SMART REGULATION

July 23, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of Mr. Gaétan Lussier as the new chair of the External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation (EACSR).

"I am delighted that Mr. Lussier has accepted this integral role," said the Prime Minister. "He will continue the work of his predecessor in helping to shape the agenda and lead the work of the Committee, drawing on his wide range of experience and deep understanding of the issues."

A highly respected former senior executive with leading food processing companies and a former senior executive with both the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec, Mr. Lussier currently serves as a member of a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards. He brings broad experience in the development of public policy and has had a longstanding interest in regulatory matters.

The Prime Minister thanked the former Chair, Mr. Hugh MacDiarmid who has resigned from the committee to take on new opportunities outside of the country. "Mr. MacDiarmid has provided valuable leadership in the work of the committee since its inception and I wish him the best in his new endeavours," said the Prime Minister.

The EACSR has been established by the Prime Minister to provide an external perspective and expert advice to the Government of Canada on regulatory issues spanning economic and social policy objectives. EACSR members, drawn from the business, non-governmental and academic communities, will deliver a final report to the Government within 12-15 months.

Biographical notes on Mr. Gaétan Lussier and background information on the EACSR are attached.

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GAÉTAN LUSSIER

Gaétan Lussier serves as a Director or member of a number of corporate boards and not-for-profit associations. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Lussier was President and Chief Executive Officer of Culinar Inc., and was President of Weston Bakeries Quebec from 1988 to 1994. In addition to his executive level experience in the private sector, Mr. Lussier enjoyed a long and influential career as a senior public servant with both the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec. Mr. Lussier was appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture for the Government of Quebec in 1971. Mr. Lussier was Deputy Minister of Agriculture Canada and of Employment and Immigration Canada, as well as President of the Unemployment Insurance Commission. A recipient of the Order of Canada (1981), Mr. Lussier has received numerous other honours, including an honourary doctorate in agricultural sciences from McGill University (1979), and the Ordre de Mérite Agronomique de l'Ordre des Agronomes du Québec (1977).

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.