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Ottawa, January 24, 2003
2003-005

Minister of Finance Announces Appointment of the 2003 National Campaign Chair for New Canada Savings Bonds Payroll Program

Related document:

• Biographical Note.

John Manley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced today the appointment of Annette Verschuren, President, Home Depot Canada, as the 2003 National Campaign Chair for the New Canada Savings Bonds Payroll Program. Ms. Verschuren becomes the sixth National Campaign Chair and follows Paul M. Tellier, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian National Railway Company, and now President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier Inc.

The New Canada Savings Bonds Payroll Program is one of the largest automatic savings plans in Canada, enabling Canadians to purchase Canada Savings Bonds through their workplaces. About 12,000 employers and almost 1 million Canadians participate in the program each year. The program is an important component of the Government’s strategy to provide Canadians with greater access to Government of Canada securities, including New Canada Savings Bonds.

"I am pleased that Ms. Verschuren has agreed to take on the role of promoting the Payroll Savings Program," said Mr. Manley. "She is one of Canada’s foremost business leaders, and her strong sense of entrepreneurship will be valuable in continuing to build the profile of the program."

"Millions of Canadians have taken the vital first step of putting money aside on a regular basis as a result of their participation in the Payroll Savings Program," said Ms. Verschuren. "I look forward to working with the business community to ensure more Canadians have access to this valuable savings program in their workplace."

Ms. Verschuren will work with Jacqueline Orange, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Investment and Savings, the special operating agency of the Department of Finance that is responsible for New Canada Savings Bonds and the Payroll Savings Program. The voluntary position of 2003 National Campaign Chair runs until the end of the calendar year.

A biographical note is attached.

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For further information:

Canada Investment and Savings
Media Relations
(613) 992-9033

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Biographical Note

Annette Verschuren

Annette Verschuren joined Home Depot Canada as President in February 1996. She came to Home Depot from Michael’s of Canada, where she had been President since 1993.

Before becoming President of Michael’s of Canada, Ms. Verschuren ran her own business, Verschuren Ventures, for one year, and held other executive positions such as VP, Corporate Development of Imasco Ltd., and Executive VP of Canada Development Investment Corporation.

Born and raised in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Ms. Verschuren holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Francis Xavier University. She is currently a board member of Sobeys Inc., the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and Habitat for Humanity.

She has been honoured with the Women on the Move Award in 1994, a Canada 125 Medal, a Doctorate from Mount Saint Vincent University, and a Doctor of Laws degree from St. Francis Xavier University.