Sustainable Development the focus of 2nd Annual Institute of Corporate Directors National Conference

500 Canadian Corporate and Non-Corporate Directors Attended the Conference in Edmonton

EDMONTON, May 31, 2012 /CNW/ - The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) hosted its second annual ICD National Conference in Edmonton, Alberta yesterday. During the one-day conference, ICD members and non-members, along with distinguished speakers and moderators, examined critical topics relating to sustainable development and embracing environmental, social, and geopolitical challenges responsibly.

Premier Allison Redford also provided remarks at the Conference on the need for a unified approach to Canadian energy.

"We are very pleased to see so many of Canada's leading corporate directors convene today in Edmonton for a frank and open discussion on sustainable development," said Stan Magidson, President and CEO of the ICD. "This is a very important and timely subject given the leading role Canadian companies play in global resource development. We encourage our members to continue these discussions in boardrooms across Canada."

Delegates explored the theme of the 2012 National Conference, "Sustainable Development: Embracing Environmental, Social and Geopolitical Challenges Responsibly", in three sessions led by a faculty of distinguished directors, executives, experts and journalists, including:

• A discussion on the role of the board in environmental risk and social responsibility led by moderator John Ferguson, Chairman of the Board of Suncor Energy Inc., and panelists Dr. Martha C. Piper, Director of TransAlta Corporation; Don Lowry, Chair of Canadian Oil Sands Limited and President and CEO of EPCOR Utilities Inc.; and Charles W. Fischer, a corporate director.
• A discussion on the oil sands and their treatment in the media presented by the Honourable Anne McLellan and panelists Jeffrey Simpson, National Affairs Columnist at The Globe and Mail; Ezra Levant, TV news anchor and best-selling author; and Deborah Yedlin, Business Columnist at the Calgary Herald.
• A discussion on the role of the board in geopolitical risk and non-Canadian investment in Canada moderated by Hugh Bolton, Chair of EPCOR Utilities Inc., and panelists Richard F. Haskayne, Board Chair Emeritus of the University of Calgary; Leo de Bever, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Alberta Investment Management Corp.; Donald R. Lindsay, President and CEO of Teck Resources; Claude Mongeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of CN.

In concluding remarks for the conference, Donna Soble Kaufman, Chair of the ICD Board of Directors, said, "It is clear from the conference attendance that there is great interest in this issue, and that Canada's director community is willing to engage on this topic, which has such broad implications for the future of our country."

About The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)
The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) is a not-for-profit, member-based association representing Canadian directors and boards across the for-profit, not-for-profit, and government sectors. With more than 6,000 members and a network of nine chapters and two regional affiliates, the ICD promotes the effectiveness of directors by providing quality director education and professional certification; opportunities for continuous learning and networking through local chapter events; board matching and referral service; and access to timely information on current and emerging governance issues and best practices. For more information, please visit: www.icd.ca.

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