The Globe and Mail reports that John Manley has signed on as “the new head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE). In taking this job, he becomes the new voice of Corporate Canada, a role that has been filled for 28 years by retiring president and chief executive officer Thomas d’Aquino.”
“He will join the CCCE in October, and said issues at the top of the agenda will include regulation of financial services, the U.S.-Canada relationship, energy and the environment (he speaks of the two issues in one breath), and climate change.”
The Canwest News Service specifies that, “He will begin work on Oct. 19 as president-designate to ensure a smooth transition, and take over in full Jan. 1.”
The Globe and Mail adds, “In his new role, he should enjoy access to the corridors of power, as the head of the CCCE or its staff have met with the Prime Minster’s Office or federal Finance officials a total of 15 times in the past 18 months, according to the federal lobbyist registry. Those talks ranged from tax policy to energy and small business. On at least three occasions, Mr. d’Aquino had face-to-face meetings with Mr. Harper.”
In a Council of Canadians media release issued yesterday afternoon, trade campaigner Stuart Trew says, “This is a match made in heaven for the Canadian and American business lobbies that could always count on Manley to endorse their priorities inside and outside of Parliament. Perhaps no politician has done more to further the CCCE’s case for a Fortress North America where business and investment can roam free while citizens in Canada and Mexico endure new U.S. security practices across the continent.” Trew adds, “There’s a long list of occasions where Manley and the Liberal government almost literally photocopied CCCE reports, slapped a Government of Canada logo at the top and called it public policy.”
The Globe and Mail report is at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/manley-the-new-voice-of-corporate-canada/article1197581/.
The Canwest report is at http://www.canada.com/business/fp/Manley+takes+helm+Canadian+Council+Chief+Executives/1731767/story.html.
The Council of Canadians’ media release is at http://canadians.org/media/DI/2009/25-June-09.html.
