5th Annual Gordon Osbaldeston Lecture

When: Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 18:30 – 21:15

Where: National Arts Centre, Ottawa

This prestigious lecture honours Mr. Osbaldeston's distinguished 35-year career as a public servant by raising awereness about the challenges, issues and opportunities facing Canada's public Service.

In a passionate speech that had the audience on their feet at the end, John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games delivered the 2010 Gordon Osbaldeston Lecture, . “A Vision Too Far? Lessons From the Games That Changed Canada," in Ottawa on November 18, 2010.

Furlong is the leader behind the team that the successfully organized the entire 2010 Games. From the very beginning of the project, he envisioned that the Games could be a true nation builder, helping to improve the fabric of Canadian society. “There has been euphoria here, a change. Something has happened, not just in Vancouver but all over the country.” said Furlong.

“The country did this together and it looked very good on us and I think it’s a great lesson to us about what we can do. New confidence in the country – there’s a smile on Canada’s face,” said Furlong. 

He also stressed that everyone in the public service can make a contribution. Furlong told a story about when he first arrived to Canada and the impact the immigration officer had on him. “[It was] a wonderful example of a public servant rising to the occasion, coming to work every day inspired and doing the most good that he could and it is very impressive and it is something that I will take with me for my whole life.”

	Click to watch an interview with John Furlong.
	Click to listen to John Furlong's speech.

Click here to read the article from the Ottawa Citizen about John Furlong's speech.

Click here to view media release.

Click here to view John Furlong's biography.

Twitter hashtag for the event: #GFO

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