OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff today unveiled the names of more than forty leading thinkers who will bring their ideas and expertise to Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge, a conference of non-partisan contributors to be held in Montreal and webcast live from March 26-28, 2010.
“This is a national dialogue about the future,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “That’s why we’re gathering Canada’s leading thinkers and doers to take part in a serious discussion about the major issues that will shape Canada’s future.”
Conference participants are being asked what Canada can and should be in 2017 when we mark the country’s 150th birthday, and what needs to be done today to get there.
Speaking from Vancouver, Mr. Ignatieff was pleased to announce the following individuals as Co-Chairs for the conference:
• Strategic business consultant and community leader Dominique Anglade;
• MP for Ottawa-Vanier and Vice-Chair of the Liberal Party’s National Policy and Platform Committee, Hon. Mauril Bélanger; and
• Past President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia, Dr. Martha Piper.
“Canada at 150 exemplifies a desire to listen and an openness of mind rarely seen in today’s political debates,” said Dr. Piper. “I am honoured to play a role in what I believe is a serious effort to encourage dialogue and to invite Canadians to stake their claim in Canada’s future.”
Canada at 150 is designed to ensure public policy is open to the public. The conference itself is part of a series of discussions and dialogue that began last fall, and includes, to date, more than 28 working sessions on important issues facing Canadians, which will continue after Montreal.
The conference will feature panel discussions and moderated conversations that will tackle some of the major challenges facing Canada today. Leading these discussions and presenting their ideas will be some of Canada’s top public policy experts and internationally-renowned thinkers. The conference will also feature keynote presentations from three distinguished speakers on topics important to Canada’s future:
• Dominic Barton, Worldwide Managing Director of McKinsey & Co., on Asia’s Role in the World of 2017;
• Sheila Watt-Cloutier, past International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, on The Future of Canada’s Arctic and Its People;
• Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Sheryl WuDunn on The Challenge of our Century– creating opportunity for women worldwide.
“To thrive in an increasingly complex world and adapt to the changing economy, Canada needs leadership that transcends partisanship and short-term politics,” said Ms. Anglade. “Canada at 150 provides a unique opportunity to discuss the fresh ideas that will become the innovative policies Canada needs to achieve its full potential.”
In Montreal and smaller satellite events across the country, Canadians will have a chance to grapple with major long-term issues that will determine our future well-being and prosperity. Through live streaming and interactive tools, Canadians from all walks of life are being encouraged to take part in the discussion as it unfolds in Montreal.
“Montreal is an important step in engaging with Canadians on the challenges and opportunities we face as a country,” said Mr. Bélanger, “We want this to be an open, inclusive and truly national conversation that will begin shaping our country for the years to come.”
For the conference program and list of speakers and bios, click here.
For further information, please visit www.can150.ca
