New Initiative to Build Leadership for Canada's Future
OTTAWA, November 13, 2002 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced a partnership with Action Canada to build future leaders for our country by annually selecting twenty of the brightest and best young people from across Canada for a year-long program of leadership development and public policy study. Action Canada is a new Canadian organization established through the vision of Vancouver businessman, Mr. Samuel Belzberg.Action Canada represents a direct link to many Government of Canada priorities including youth, diversity, and skills and innovation. The Government of Canada, committed to the development of Canadian youth, will contribute $4.6 million dollars to Action Canada over 6 years. This represents 50% of the budget for the initiative. The remaining 50% will be provided through private sector funding.
"This is an exciting new initiative that will involve young Canadians in the building of our country. Action Canada will provide young leaders with the opportunity to learn more about the key issues facing Canada and as a group they will take on the challenge of developing innovative policy ideas," said Minister Copps. "It will also help them discover both the diversity and the shared values among Canadians."
Action Canada, a national initiative based in British Columbia, is affiliated with the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University. It brings together the public, private and NGO sectors to create and maintain a network of outstanding young Canadians, building their skills and experience for leadership in the public and private sector.
"Action Canada is a valuable investment in the young men and women who aspire to lead our country," stated Mr. Belzberg. "This is a model initiative by the private sector and federal government, working in partnership, for the future good of Canada."
Candidates must demonstrate a record of leadership and extraordinary achievement, have a passion for Canada, and have the potential to become a Canadian leader and the commitment to make a positive contribution to Canada. The Fellows will reflect Canada's linguistic and cultural diversity.
The leadership development program will include three annual forums: one in Vancouver, another in Ottawa and a third in a Canadian location to be selected each year. Policy issues for study by the Fellows will be selected in consultation with members of an Advisory Council with representatives from the public, private and NGO sectors. The first group of Action Canada Fellows will begin their fellowship year in September, 2003.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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