The Public Policy Forum was honoured to have Allan Gregg, one of Canada's most respected senior research professionals and social commentators, deliver the 6th annual Gordon Obsaldeston Lecture.

His lecture "On Authenticity: How the Truth can Restore Faith in Politics and Government" was an inspiring perspective on the relationship between authenticity and trust. Gregg posited that if our political leaders were to act authentically and speak truthfully, Canadians would be more inclined to trust them regardless of whether or not they agreed with their politics.

Documents:

Lecture - Allan Gregg -November 18th, 2011:
On Authenticity – How the Truth Can Restore
Faith in Politics and Government

Article - Ottawa Citizen - January 5th, 2011:
Authenticity is in the eye of the beholder

Article - Globe and Mail - December 19th, 2011:
Telling the naked truth is good politics

Article - Globe and Mail - November 22nd, 2011:
Fibs destined to fail

Article - iPolitics - November 19th, 2011:
Authenticity key to restoring faith in politics

Press Release - October 16th, 2011:
Allan Gregg to deliver Ottawa lecture on Authenticity

About Allan Gregg

From 1979 through 1993 Gregg was known as the official pollster of the Progressive Conservative Party and participated in over 50 central election campaigns on three continents. In 1995, he co-founded The Strategic Counsel, a research partnership he left in 2007. That year, he set out on his own to form Allan Gregg Strategies, offering high-end, value added, research-based consulting and communications advice to private and public sector clients. At the same time, he returned to roots and assumed the position of Chairman of Harris/Decima, a company he founded almost 30 years earlier that has recently merged with the fastest growing research firm in the world. Allan is a pioneer in the integration of consulting, public-opinion research, public affairs and communications. He not only has an intimate knowledge of the dynamics of policy-making but also a deep understanding of cultural change and the communications processes necessary to forge a public consensus around government and business initiatives. Much sought after for his analysis and as a public speaker, he is widely published and quoted. He is the host of the popular and respected TVO talk show - Allan Gregg In Conversation With - as well as a frequent contributor to newspapers and magazines. He has also served as a regular participant on CBC's "At Issue" panel on Thursday nights.

Allan is also an entrepreneur with diverse interests. He was one of the founding shareholders of Canada's children's network, YTV, the Chairman of Toronto Film Festival, the current Chair of the Walrus Foundation (publisher of 2007 Magazine of the Year, "The Walrus") and has executive produced documentary television as well as recordings by Canadian artists such as The Tragically Hip, The Watchmen and Big Wreck. Corporately, he serves on General Motors of Canada's Advisory Board and the Bank of Montreal's Advisory Council on Retirement.

About Gordon Osbaldeston

Since 2006, the Public Policy Forum has hosted the annual Gordon Osbaldeston Lecture to help examine and understand the vital role the public service plays in preserving a democratic and vibrant Canadian society. Named after one of Canada's most revered public service leaders, this prestigious lecture honours Gordon F. Osbaldeston's distinguished career by raising awareness about the challenges, issues, and opportunities facing Canada's public service. With over 35 years of service, including three years as the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet and many years in senior positions in the Canadian government, Mr. Osbaldeston's name and wisdom have helped make this series not just a success but a central piece in the Forum's programming on public service. Over the years, he has been recognized for his work winning the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service, he was named Officer of the Order of Canada, he was sworn into the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and he also received The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal.

Read Gordon Osbaldeston's full biography.

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