Ministers Day and Prentice bring leading Albertans together to discuss
Canada's economic recovery

CALGARY, July 16 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, today continued a series of roundtables on Canada's economic future. They met with Calgary municipal officials, business leaders and academics to discuss deficit reduction and keeping Canada on the path to strong economic recovery.

"This was a very productive roundtable meeting with some of Calgary's leading citizens and experts," said Minister Day. "The global recovery remains fragile and hearing from these bright minds on how we can keep those jobs coming, tackle the deficit, and rein in government spending was very useful."

"Canadians in Alberta are seeing first-hand the evidence of Canada's strong economic recovery spurred on by our Economic Action Plan. We want to have their insight as we look at the best and most efficient ways to ensure our continued prosperity and take steps to reduce the deficit," added Minister Prentice.

Tomorrow in Calgary, Minister Day will also speak about Canada's long-term prosperity when he addresses a gathering of more than 500 government officials and business leaders from western Canadian provinces and territories, and the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon at the annual summit of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER).

Minister Day will talk about Canada's economic leadership at the recent G-8 and G-20 summits. He will also discuss how the strong partnership that exists between Canada and the United States is key to continued prosperity for both our countries.

The PNWER is a regional and non-partisan network of government officials, business leaders, academics and non-government organizations from 10 jurisdictions in Canada and the United States. It is estimated that the region represented by the PNWER comprises an economy of more than $700 billion and over 20 million people.

A list of today's roundtable participants is attached.

    
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                                 Backgrounder
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                       Calgary Roundtable Participants
    

George Brookman, Chairman, Tourism Calgary

In addition to being the Chair of Tourism Calgary, Mr. Brookman is the President and Chief Executive Officer of West Canadian Industries Group Inc. Mr. Brookman is also past President and Chairman of the Board for the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.

Linda Bruce, Mayor, City of Airdrie

Mayor Linda Bruce was elected to the Airdrie City Council in 1995 and served as Deputy Mayor from 2003 to 2004. In 2004, she was elected as Mayor. Mayor Bruce also serves as Chair of the Calgary Regional Partnership.

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, President, University of Calgary

Prior to being named President, Dr. Cannon was the Dean of the Schulich School of Engineering and a professor in the Department of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Calgary. She has a long history of serving on the boards of public, private and community organizations.

Brian Duclos, Vice-President, Canadian Club of Calgary

The Canadian Club of Calgary is a not-for-profit organization that has promoted discussion on issues of the day for over 100 years. In addition to his work at the Canadian Club, Mr. Duclos is the Senior Manager of government relations at the Calgary Zoo.

Dr. Roger Gibbins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada West Foundation

Dr. Roger Gibbins has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada West Foundation since 1998. Prior to heading up that organization, Dr. Gibbins was a professor of political science at the University of Calgary. He has authored numerous books and articles.

Bruce Graham, President and Chief Executive Officer, Calgary Economic Development

With more than 20 years experience in economic development, Bruce Graham joined Calgary Economic Development in 2003 as President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously Mr. Graham served as Director of Business Development and Retention with Toronto Economic Development.

Gary Leach, Executive Director, Small Explorers and Producers Association of Canada

Mr. Leach has more than 25 years of Canadian petroleum experience. Prior to joining the Small Explorers and Producers Association, Mr. Leach served as energy sector development manager for Calgary Economic Development.

Dr. Jack Mintz, Director, University of Calgary's School of Public Policy

Jack Mintz is a Fellow-in-Residence at the C.D. Howe Institute and also holds the Palmer Chair in Public Policy, University of Calgary. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the C.D. Howe Institute from 1999 to 2006. Dr. Mintz has published widely in the field of public economics.

Marlo Raynolds, Executive Director, Pembina Institute

Mr. Raynolds has worked for the Pembina Institute since 1995 and has been Executive Director since 2004. He is also an adjunct assistant professor of sustainable development at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary.

Diane Scott, President, Calgary Real Estate Board

The Calgary Real Estate Board is a professional body of 5,500 licensed brokers and registered associates, representing more than 250 member offices. In addition to heading the Calgary Real Estate Board, Ms. Scott is the owner of Royal Lepage Solutions in Calgary.

Richard Truscott, Director of Provincial Affairs for Alberta, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

As Director of Provincial Affairs in Alberta for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Mr. Truscott represents the interests of the Federation's 10,000 members in Alberta by leading legislative, research, and communication activities on issues affecting small- and medium-sized businesses.

Simon Vincent, President and Chief Executive Officer, Calgary Chamber of Commerce

Simon Vincent is and has been active in community leadership roles in Calgary. Along with being the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, he is also a member of the Board of Directors for Calgary Technologies Inc. and co-chair for the marketing advisory committee to the Chamber Board.

For further information: Mélisa Leclerc, Director of Communications, Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, 613-952-5051; Media Relations, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat, 613-957-2640