Leadership Special Post

Leaders en Route in North

It’s 15 days of “brain forming” by 15 members of the Governor General’s Leadership Conference.

The first stop in their northern exploratory tour was in Thunder Bay, en route to Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury and North Bay, Ontario later this week.

The Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference brings together 230 of Canada's future leaders from business, labour, government, NGOs, education and the cultural sector for a unique two-week experience aimed at broadening their perspectives on work, leadership, their communities, and their country.


Members of the Conference are Canadian citizens from different regions of Canada, different perspectives and different careers. All members share one thing in common: they are high potential individuals expected to achieve senior leadership positions in their organizations and communities.

Margaret Wanlin, Thunder Bay Facilitator arranged a unique collaborative meeting between Leadership Thunder Bay and the Governor General’s group at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery on Tuesday June 10, 2008.

In a fast paced and often humorous dialogue, the two groups compared perceptions and realities about the demographics of the city, commenting on economic, social and cultural issues.

Recognizing the geographic challenges (a spread out fusion of two former municipalities over vast stretches of land, as well as isolation from other larger centres), the visitors remarked about obvious developmental challenges.

A participant from British Columbia, for example, questioned the Art Gallery about its awkward location on the fringes of Confederation College property, which in itself is isolated from other attractions. “How can you build critical mass in your economy, when everything is so far apart in this city?”

An outspoken entrepreneur from Quebec commented about his perceptions of a “culture of entitlement”, where big business and government fuel the economy. He spoke about a perceived lack of entrepreneurship, specifically of businesses with 10 to 24 employees.

“This gap is crucial to growth in the economy. Here, it seems to be missing entirely. But, the new knowledge-based economy that is starting up, particularly the molecular medicine research operation, will fuel businesses which supply new industries, so there’s hope.”

A municipal employee noted that entrepreneurship is indeed, flourishing, with some global initiatives in the works.

A participant from Newfoundland was most curious about the influx of First Nations families from reserves in the north. She was pleased to hear that the City’s strategic plan includes an Aboriginal Liaison Office to work inclusively with aboriginal peoples.

The Conference concludes in Ottawa, Ontario, where reports from each of the study groups will be presented to the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean. The Conference celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year.

To read participant blogs, and for more information about the program, see www.leadershipcanada.ca

Maggie Chicoine is passionate about facilitating the Leadership Thunder Bay Class of 2008-2009. For more information, go to www.leadershiptb.com.