MEDIA ADVISORY: March 1, 2016

CANADA’S SMART PROSPERITY LEADERS' INITIATIVE

WHAT:

Media conference to introduce the Smart Prosperity Leaders' Initiative, a new initiative to address Canada’s economic and environmental challenges, and the release of Smart Prosperity’s first report.

WHEN:

March 1, 2016
8.00am PST - breakfast and refreshments
9:00am PST – event starts promptly
9.45am PST - media scrum

WHERE:

 (Telus Garden)

WHO:

• Smart Prosperity co-chairs, Lorraine Mitchelmore, Former President & Canada Country Chair, Shell Canada, Annette Vershuren, CEO,NRStor, Former President, Home Depot Canada and Stewart Elgie, Professor, University of Ottawa, Chair, Sustainable Prosperity.
• Smart Prosperity leaders including: Arlene Dickinson, CEO, Venture Communication, Darren Entwhistle, President and CEO, Telus, Phil Fontaine, Special Advisor, Royal Bank of Canada, Former National Chief, Assembly of First Nations Kali Taylor, Founding Executive Director, Student Energy, Ed Whittingham, Executive Director, Pembina Institute.

WHY IT MATTERS:

In the days before the Prime Minister gathers with First Ministers in a meeting that will define Canada’s transition to a clean economy, a group of influential Canadians are launching a new initiative — the Smart Prosperity Leaders' Initiative — to help accelerate this critical economic shift. The Smart Prosperity Leaders' Initiative includes 25 of Canada’s most respected leaders from diverse business sectors (including resources and clean tech), labour organizations, think tanks, Indigenous peoples, youth, and environmental groups. 

The diverse group is calling for swift action to build a stronger, cleaner, and more innovative economy, lest Canada lose economic opportunities that are rising in a rapidly changing global environment. The Smart Prosperity Leaders' Initiative will also release their first report.