Canada has crossed the free-trade Rubicon, embraced globalization, and is now climbing onto the shores of a New World. We have weathered the crossing but many feel we have lost our sense of direction. Free trade is bringing prosperity for many but at the cost of potentially narrowing our options at home for the programs we value and have traditionally thought of as distinctly Canadian. The decade-long decline in our standard of living relative to that of the United States is adding to the sense of unease. Abroad, our voice is uncertain and we no longer play a world role greater than our size would warrant. The challenge is to define our goals and make choices to achieve them, recognizing that the choices we make at home will both shape and be shaped by the leadership role we choose to exercise in North America and abroad.
The Conference Board of Canada is the foremost independent, not-for-profit applied research organization in Canada. Anne Golden became President and CEO in October 2001. She is recognized for her proven leadership, proficiency in the public policy arena, strong academic credentials and range of experience in the business, not-for-profit, government and academic sectors. Dr. Golden has received national recognition from a broad range of organizations for her role in the public policy arena, especially for her work on cities and homelessness.
