In-Conversation with Former Premiers: Clark, Charest and Lord

Join the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 3rd from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm for an exciting in-conversation about political leadership in the time of crisis with three former Premiers: the Honourable Christy Clark, the Honourable Jean Charest and the Honourable Bernard Lord.

The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented human tragedy, affecting people across the globe, including at home in Canada. However, amidst the challenges during this unprecedented time, the Canadian spirit has risen. Businesses across the country have diverted resources to support COVID-19 efforts and collaboration between all levels of government and with the business community have never been higher.

• How do we build on this to position Ontario and Canada to be even stronger to compete in the post-COVID world?

• What lessons from the past can support efforts for today and tomorrow?

What? Townhall with the Honourable Christy Clark, Jean Charest and Bernard Lord

When? Wednesday, June 3 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Where? Join us virtually while at home! A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants 24 hours before the webinar.

Speaker Biographies:

The Honourable Christy Clark led Canada’s third largest province for over six years. Throughout her tenure, Clark demonstrated the strongest performance of any Canadian Premier for economic growth, fiscal management and job creation. Clark retired from political life in 2017 as the longest serving female Premier in Canadian history and the only woman Premier in Canada ever to be re-elected. 

Today she is a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP. She serves as Chairperson of the governing board for Roots of Empathy, an international non-profit, as well as the CN Vancouver Community Board. She also co-chairs the Advisory Board for the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill. She serves as a Director on a number of corporate boards, including Shaw Communications, Recipe Unlimited Corp. and Constellation Brands. She is an Associate Member of the InterAction Council, an international organization where former heads of state collaborate to find solutions to various global challenges.

In November 2018, the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) recognized her as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. She has also been inducted into the WXN Hall of Fame.

The Honourable Jean Charest - Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Premier of Québec (2003-2012)

Member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada

As Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of Québec, and with a public service career spanning almost 30 years, Jean Charest is one of Canada’s best known political figures.

Jean Charest was first elected to the House of Commons in 1984 and, at age 28, became Canada’s youngest cabinet minister as Minister of State for Youth. In 1991, he was named Minister of the Environment and Minister of Industry and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada in 1993.

In 1994, Jean Charest was chosen Leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party. He held that post until 1998 when he became Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party. Mr. Charest then broke a 50-year provincial record by winning three consecutive election campaigns in 2003, 2007 and 2008.

Furthermore, the Charest government initiated an unprecedented labour mobility agreement between France and Québec and was best known for a major initiative for the sustainable development of Northern Québec called “Plan Nord”. Jean Charest is notably the initiator of the negotiation for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). He is today a Partner at Canadian law firm McCarthy Tétrault, where he provides invaluable expertise to the firm’s clients with his in-depth knowledge and experience with public policy, corporate Canada and international matters. As a strategic advisor with a unique perspective, he supports clients on complex transactions, projects and international mandates, as they navigate the global business environment.

The Honourable Bernard Lord - Chief Executive Officer, Medavie

Bernard Lord became Chief Executive Officer of Medavie in September 2016 where he provides strategic leadership to further the company’s mission of improving the wellbeing of Canadians. Prior to this role, he spent eight years on the Board of Medavie and was President and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunication Association of Canada. He sits on boards of several organizations, and is Past Chair of the Board of the Ontario Power Generation.

Mr. Lord served as Premier of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006.