Canadian new Secretary General of OECD

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today offered his warm congratulations to Donald Johnston, P.C., Q.C., as he assumes his new duties tomorrow as Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) based in Paris.

"Of course, we are deeply proud that the first non-European chosen to head the OECD is a Canadian," said the Prime Minister. "But even more important, Mr. Johnston has the vision and leadership abilities to forge a new and dynamic agenda to carry the OECD into the twenty first century. Mr. Johnston's extensive political and policy experience as President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Science and Technology and other ministerial portfolios will serve him well as he takes the helm of the OECD."

Bringing together the most advanced economies, the OECD is the world's foremost public policy think tank. "Today more than ever, we need the impartial judgements of the OECD to help find the best solutions to the complex social and economic problems all governments face today," the Prime Minister added.

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