The Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation (CCPC) has announced the members of an “expert panel” put together to help Canadian businesses and organizations “redefine and strengthen both the scope of their purpose and the contributions they make more broadly to society.”
First launched in July by public strategy and communications firm Navigator, organizers say the group’s primary intent is to help advance public dialogue and discussion in a purpose driven way.
“The year 2020 has revealed how rapidly the world is changing,” said Navigator executive chairman Jaime Watt in a release last month. “I don’t think there is a single businessperson who thinks we are going back to anything like normal. After all, normal is what got us here.
“We know business drives immense innovation. It creates employment and wealth. It produces goods and services that improve our lives. But more and more, we are coming face to face with the harsh reality that not everyone shares in these benefits.
“Consequently, employees, customers, investors, governments, and communities are asking business to do more. This Centre will support business leaders, who want to heed the call and do well by doing good, in meeting these expectations.”
Brian Gallant, former premier of New Brunswick from 2014 to 2018 and now a Navigator senior advisor, will head up the centre.
“Expectations for all organizations — including businesses — are evolving and increasing,he said recently. “A business must now look beyond profits and shareholder value and seek to contribute positively to all stakeholders.
“Similarly, organizations of all types are increasingly expected to provide value and have a positive impact on the communities in which they operate, the environment, and society as a whole. This expectation includes speaking out and taking concrete action to advance important societal issues.”
Alongside Gallant, the CCPC will be made up of the following business, public sector, and thought leaders from across Canada:
Vice President & Director of Research André Pratte is a former independent Senator for Quebec and former chief editorial writer for La Presse.
Vice President Tasha Kheiriddin is a lecturer at the Max Bell School of Public Policy, opinion writer, former broadcaster and vice president of the Montreal Economic Institute.
Catherine Bell is a best-selling author, entrepreneur and founder of the Awakened Company. Roxanna Benoit is a lawyer and former vice president of public affairs and communications and sustainability at Enbridge and previously served as deputy minister with the Alberta government.
Jodi Butts is a lawyer, entrepreneur, board director, and former CEO of Rise Asset Development.
Michael Cooke is the board chair of Journalists for Human Rights and former editor-in-chief of the Toronto Star.
Sara Diamond is president Emerita of OCAD University and former director of media and visual art and director of research at the Banff Centre.
Madeleine Féquière is the director and corporate credit chief of Domtar and independent director of Investissement Québec.
Karen MacKenzie is president and co-Founder of MacKintosh Canada, commissioner on the Edmonton Police Commission and senior advisor to the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership, Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University.
Don McCutchan is an economist and former partner and international policy advisor at Gowling WLG, former executive director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and former officer at the Canadian Department of Finance.
David Simmonds is the former senior vice president, communications and public affairs at McKesson Canada and president-elect of Canadian Club Toronto.
The CCPC said it plans to publish opinion and analysis pieces on trends and developments related to the purpose of the corporation, in conjunction with its work advising Canadian businesses and organizations.
More information can be found on its website.
