Media Advisory - Ontario 2020: Visionary speakers kick off conference on the
future

TORONTO, March 3 /CNW/ - Day One of a groundbreaking conference on the future of Ontario will feature thought-provoking speeches by three noted visionaries at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto this Thursday, March 4.

"This conference is a great opportunity to rise above the latest crises, visualize some of our possible futures, and imagine what we can do today to build the Ontario we want tomorrow," said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, who initiated the conference. "The amazing speakers we have on Day One will provoke incredible discussions among all participants, whether they are from business, labour, government, or the community."

Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, will speak on: "Who killed Canada's education advantage?"

    
    -   Address: Thursday, March 4 at 10:20 a.m. in the Dominion Ballroom,
        Sheraton Centre
    -   Media availability: 11:00 a.m. outside the Dominion Ballroom
    

Thomas Homer-Dixon, Chair of Global Systems at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, University of Waterloo, will discuss "Building resilience" and strategies for coping with an uncertain future.

    
    -   Address: Thursday, March 4 at 12:20 p.m. in the Civic Ballroom,
        Sheraton Centre
    -   Media availability: 1:00 p.m. in the Civic Ballroom
    

Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and current Chair of The Ethical Globalization Initiative, will speak on "prosperity and compassion."

    
    -   Address: Thursday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom West,
        Sheraton Centre
    -   Media availability: 8:45 p.m. inside the Grand Ballroom West
    

Conference participants will work hard over the course of the two-day conference to build and discuss possible scenarios of the future in four key areas: the economy, community, health care and education. Ontario 2020 will be chaired by noted Canadian journalist Wendy Mesley. For more information, visit www.ontario2020conference.ca.

For further information: Randy Robinson, [phone] (cell); Emily Visser, [phone] (cell)