NEWS RELEASES
MARCHI ANNOUNCES NEW EDC CHAIR
December 17, 1997 No. 212
MARCHI ANNOUNCES NEW EDC CHAIR
International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today announced the appointment of
Mr. Patrick J. Lavelle as Chairman and Director of the Export Development
Corporation (EDC).
Through his many years in business and government, Mr. Lavelle has acquired a
thorough understanding of the needs of the business community and how the
government can provide the tools for business to prosper. He has served as the
Chair of the Business Development Bank of Canada since 1994.
As Canada's official export credit agency, EDC is a unique financial
institution that strengthens the global competitiveness of Canadian exporters
and investors in more than 200 countries by offering some of the most
sophisticated trade finance skills available in Canada today. In 1997, EDC's
business volume is expected to surpass $27 billion -- exceeding last year's
record level of $22 billion.
The appointment is effective January 1, 1998.
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A biographical note is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Leslie Swartman
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Biographical Note
As Chair of the Business Development Bank of Canada (formerly the Federal
Business Development Bank) since September 1994, Patrick J. Lavelle has
overseen the mandate change of the bank -- a change that has made the
organization more responsive to the knowledge-based community and to all small
and medium-sized businesses throughout Canada.
As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal
Business from 1991 to 1995, Mr. Lavelle oversaw the reorganization of the
Council. He served as Vice-President, Corporate Development, at Magna
International Inc. from 1988 to 1991, where he focussed his attention on
international trade issues, particularly in the Pacific Rim. Prior to 1988, he
served as Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology for the Province of
Ontario. He was also the first Secretary of the Premier's Council as well as
Advisor to the Planning and Priorities Board of Cabinet. Mr. Lavelle served for
10 years as President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association of
Canada and as Ontario's Agent General in Paris from 1980 to 1981.
Mr. Lavelle serves on a number of corporate boards in Canada and the United
States and is a member of the Advisory Committee of the International MBA
program at York University.
Mr. Lavelle was born in Toronto in 1939 and was educated at St. Michael's
College in Toronto and at the University of Western Ontario in London. He is
married and has two children.
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