'Collision of ideas' will help generate creative solutions

Collingwood Conference wraps up, but conversation continues

COLLINGWOOD, ON, May 16 /CNW/ - The Collingwood Conference (CC2010) concluded tonight, after an inspiring weekend featuring addresses from Premier Dalton McGuinty, Malcolm Gladwell, and Jeff Rubin. The conference brought together experts, academics, and average people from across the province to discuss the important issues facing our province: how to strengthen the Ontario economy while preserving our vital public services.

"We heard from speakers who challenged and unsettled us, and forced us to think about issues like trade, resources, and productivity in new ways," said Charles Sousa, MPP (Mississauga South), one of the conference co-chairs. "The Premier challenged us to a 'collision of ideas'--and we definitely got one. The ideas and insights from this weekend will help us as we move Ontario forward."

"This conference was about openness and dialogue," added conference co-chair Julie Dzerowicz, Vice-President (Policy) for the Ontario Liberal Party. "That's why we made all the plenary speeches and seminars available online, to anyone, for free. This helped us generate an online conversation that continued throughout the entire weekend."

Participants were able to ask questions and post comments directly on the conference website, www.cc2010.ca, or via Twitter. Literally thousands of comments were received. And thanks to the online buzz, No.cc2010 was one of the top trending topics in Canada on Twitter throughout the weekend.

Conference content, including all plenary addresses and seminars, will be archived at www.cc2010.ca for free public viewing.

"The conversation doesn't end with the conference," concluded Sousa. "We encourage people to check out the online archives, and let that collision of ideas continue."

For further information: Christine McMillan, Vice-President, Communications - Ontario Liberal Party, [phone]