Government of Canada appoints three members to the Board of the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee
OTTAWA, September 26, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced the names of the three Government of Canada nominees who will serve in volunteer positions on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.Peter Dhillon, of Richmond, British Columbia; Anthony Tennessy, of Burnaby, British Columbia; and France Chrétien-Desmarais, of Montréal, Quebec, will join the 19-member organizing committee composed of representatives from the Government of Canada, Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, local First Nations, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Canadian Olympic Committee. They will serve in a volunteer capacity.
"The Government of Canada has been a strong supporter of Vancouver-Whistler's successful 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games bid since the very beginning," said Minister Copps. "I am delighted that our three nominees have agreed to volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors. They bring with them vast experience that will be critical in making the 2010 Games the best ever."
The three nominees were members of the Board of Directors of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation which led Canada's successful bid for the 2010 Games.
Mr. Dhillon is active in several business enterprises, including serving as CEO of Richberry Group of Companies and Vice-Chairman of Ocean Spray and Cranberries Inc. He is also Past Director of the British Columbia Ferry Corporation. Mr. Dhillon is deeply involved in the local community, having served in numerous volunteer positions, including trustee for the Richmond Hospital Foundation, member of the steering committee for the 1999 Grey Cup, and, in 2003, the Honorary Chairman of Canadian Olympic Committee Annual Conference and Honorary Chairman of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Dinner.
Mr. Tennessy is a Director with Concert Properties Ltd. where he serves as Chair of the Audit Committee and Member of the Compensation Committee. He was the Realty Investment Manager for the Operating Engineers Pension Plan and the Director of the Canadian Council of Public-Private Partnerships. Mr. Tennessy has also served as President, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 115.
Ms. Chrétien-Desmarais is the President of Maxi-Crisp Canada Inc. and the President of the board of the Montréal Heart Institute Foundation. She is a member of the board of the Montréal Heart Institute, the Selwyn House School, the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, and the Canadian Unity Council. Ms. Chrétien-Desmarais is also a member of the executive committee of I Musici de Montréal Chamber Orchestra.
The members of the Board of Directors will be responsible for planning, organizing, project management, fundraising, and community relations activities related to hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Minister Copps also announced the creation of the Minister's Advisory Board on Diversity Ñ Vancouver 2010, which will provide advice on ways to build and enhance policies, programs, and services related to the 2010 Winter Games that reflect the needs of socially, culturally, and ethnically diverse communities. The five members of the advisory board are: Neel Kanwal Gill, Joseph Frimpong, Fenella Sung, Devinder Garcha and Andy Paul. Minister Copps will name an additional two to three members to the advisory board at a later date.
Information:
Naline Rampersad
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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