PPF conference in Fredericton focuses on immigration; Atlantic Dinner features first Frank McKenna Awards
Date: Monday March 19, 2018
On March 21, summit to discuss solutions to region’s population challenges, dinner to honour four Atlantic Canadian leaders
March 19, 2018
Atlantic Canadian and national leaders, including former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna and ACOA President Francis McGuire, will gather in Fredericton on March 21 to confront the challenges of immigration and immigrant retention at the Public Policy Forum’s Atlantic Summit. The conference kicks off PPF’s three-year project to support the Atlantic Growth Strategy and will feature the release of a new PPF research report, including grassroots strategies drawn from communities and employers across the region. Diverse stakeholders will discuss how to develop policy that helps municipalities and businesses succeed as the region’s population ages and shrinks.
“We’ve got lots of issues facing our region, from identifying immigrants to keeping them once they arrive,” said Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair of TD Bank Group, a three-term Premier of New Brunswick and former Ambassador to the United States, who will be in attendance at the event. “The only way to solve these issues is to work together.”
“We’re honoured to being playing a role in this full-court press to reverse the region’s population decline and ensure its future vibrancy through the contributions of long-time residents and newcomers,” said PPF President and CEO Edward Greenspon. “What Atlantic Canada is grappling with today is what the rest of Canada will need to confront tomorrow.”
Speakers also include Marta Morgan, Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Kelly Toughill of the University of King’s College. See the full agenda and list of speakers.
Four Honourees to Receive Frank McKenna Awards
At the Atlantic Dinner in the evening, four leaders will be honoured with the Frank McKenna Award for Leadership in Public Policy for their substantial contributions to public policy in Atlantic Canada:
- George Cooper: A highly regarded lawyer, Dr. Cooper represented Halifax as an MP and served as a parliamentary secretary to the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice. He was managing partner and chair of law firm McInnes Cooper and was President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of King’s College.
- Doug House: A celebrated academic in socio-economics, Dr. House is Honorary Research Professor in sociology at Memorial University and previously led commissions on employment and economic recovery. He is the author of seven books and his next looks at premiers and development policies in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1949.
- Adrienne O’Pray: O’Pray is President and CEO of the New Brunswick Business Council and was previously Director of Economic Development with 3+ Corporation, Vice-President of Ambir Solutions, and COO of Atlantic Lottery. Ms. O’Pray is a champion of entrepreneurship and an expert in leading cultural change.
- Chief Terrance Paul: First elected Chief in 1984, Terrance Paul is a proud member of the Membertou First Nation in Unama’ki, Cape Breton Island. Under his guidance, Membertou has become one of Canada’s most progressive, efficient and sustainable First Nations, doubled its land base, and increased employment.
Since 2013, PPF has presented awards to distinguished Atlantic Canadians who have built bridges between sectors, contributed to public policy and shown exceptional leadership. The award was named in honour of Mr. McKenna in 2017 to recognize one of the region’s most accomplished leaders.
Mr. McKenna, the honourees and many summit speakers will be available for interviews on the day of the event.
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