True Colours: Manley takes helm of Canadian Council of Chief Executives

By Paul Vieira, Financial Post
June 25, 2009

OTTAWA — Former deputy prime minister John Manley will take over as the chief lobbyist for Canada's blue-chip chief executives, starting in January of next year.

Manley was named Thursday as the incoming CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, succeeding long-time head Thomas d'Aquino who is leaving after nearly two decades on the job.

Manley will officially join CCCE on Oct. 19 as president-designate in order to ensure a smooth transition, according to a statement from the organization.

"(Manley's) outstanding record of leadership in the public and private sectors, his passion for public policy, his stature as statesman at home and abroad and his well-deserved reputation for integrity make him a perfect fit as our Council's next leader," said Gordon Nixon, Royal Bank of Canada's CEO and the CEO council's chairman of the board. "The council's board of Directors is delighted that he has agreed to take on this extraordinary challenge."

For his part, d'Aquino said he "warmly" welcomed Manley's hiring, adding: "I am confident that under his leadership, and with the continued support of our members and of our highly capable and loyal staff, the council's future will be marked by excellence and innovation."

Manley held a number of senior cabinet posts in the Liberal government led by former prime minister Jean Chretien, including deputy prime minister, finance minister, foreign affairs minister and industry minister.

He has served on the corporate boards at Nortel Networks Corp., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and CAE Inc. He is currently senior counsel at the law firm McCarthy Tetrault.
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