Michael McMullen elected Chair of the Board of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI, Sept. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Michael McMullen, President, MCM Consulting Ltd., Winnipeg, Manitoba, was elected the 2014-2015 Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce at its Annual General Meeting in Charlottetown today. Also at the meeting, more than 300 representatives of member chambers of commerce and boards of trade from all across the country set the Canadian Chamber's advocacy agenda for the upcoming year. In particular, members agreed that the removal of internal trade barriers within Canada and the development of our natural resources are key to our nation's competitiveness.

"The Canadian Chamber's greatest strength has always been the power of the chamber network and the ability of businesses of all sizes and from all sectors of the economy and all regions of Canada to speak with one voice," said Michael McMullen, Chair of the Board of Directors. "Over the years, we have demonstrated a clear impact on public policy and decision-making to the benefit of business and all Canadians."

At the meeting, member chambers of commerce and boards of trade agreed to continue the network's focus on removing internal trade barriers within Canada. "The federal and provincial/territorial governments need to show concrete actions and significant improvement when it comes to removing barriers to interprovincial trade," said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. "We want to see real changes in the months ahead. Canadian business cannot continue to be held hostage to an archaic system."

The chamber network also reiterated its support for the Partnership for Resource Trade. The group, of which the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is a founding member, seeks to engage and mobilize Canadians on the key role the development of our natural resources play in the economic success of our nation. "All of us benefit when our natural resources are developed responsibly and brought to market successfully," stressed Beatty.

Michael McMullen is joined on the Canadian Chamber's leadership team by:
Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Ottawa, Ontario
David Paterson, First Vice Chair; Toronto, Ontario
Duncan Wilson, Second Vice Chair; Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Port Metro Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia
Christiane Bergevin, Third Vice Chair; Executive Vice President, Strategic Partnership, Mouvement des caisses Desjardins, Montréal, Québec
Andrea Bolger, Treasurer; Executive Vice President, Business Financial Services, Canadian Banking RBC, Toronto, Ontario
Richard Payette, Immediate Past-Chair of the Board; CEO Americas, BDO Canada LLP, Montréal, Québec

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the federal government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 200,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. News and information are available at www.chamber.ca or follow us on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom.

SOURCE: Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Émilie S. Potvin, Office: 613.238.4000 (231), Cell.: 613.797.1860, [email protected]