Rebooting the Economy: What is the role of government in this transforming economy?

When: Monday, June 1, 2009 - 18:00 – Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - 16:45

Where: Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa

Participants at this event probed the various dimensions of the recession including: Canada’s financial institutions, the future of the manufacturing sector, Canada’s advantage on natural resources, and the EI system and skills development for tomorrow’s jobs.

The discussion about the econonomy needs to broaden in order to gain a sense of the its overall state, as well as to provide a better understanding of the changing nature of government and how public policy can facilitate recovery and growth.  Therefore, the conference focused on the critical question:

What is the role of government in this transforming economy?

Speakers included:

• Pat Daniel, CEO, Enbridge
• Alain Dubuc, Columnist, La Presse
• Hon. Pierre Pettigrew, Executive Advisor, Deloitte
• Serge Coulombe, Professor, University of Ottawa
• Elyse Allan, President and CEO, General Electric Canada
• Rob Wright, Deputy Minister, Finance Canada
• Avrim Lazar, President and CEO, FPAC
• Derek Holt, Vice President, Scotia Capital
• Claire Morris, former President, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
• Jim Stanford, Chief Economist, CAW

• Michael D. Chong, MP & Chair, Standing Committee on Industry, Science, and Technology

 The key objectives of the conference included:

• discuss challenges and opportunities for Canada during this recession;
• generate ideas and approaches on how public policy can help facilitate economic recovery; and
• gain a sense of the changing role of government in the new economic reality.

 Thank you to the following organizations for their generous support: