Dear Friend,

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for your interest and support of The Pearson Centre and for your interest in furthering progressive policy in Canada.

As the President and CEO of The Pearson Centre I am extremely excited about taking on this role and, more importantly, hearing from you about Canada’s future. I am pleased to be working with our knowledgeable and experienced Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Karen Mock.

This year we are celebrating ten years since the start of The Pearson Centre and as we look forward to the next ten years, we ask for your guidance providing thoughts and opinions to further develop our relationship with you.  Our goal is to broaden and deepen our understanding of Canada’s social and economic landscape of tomorrow by engaging our policy makers, policy experts, and you, in a way that is respectful and inclusive.  

We will continue to provide a forum for those seeking respectful dialogue in a political environment that has become increasingly polarized and exasperated.  At The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy, we are seeking your help to push the conversation even further. 

With that in mind, I am interested in hearing from you about how we can help further that conversation.  We feel it is essential that before the next great debate begins, we must strive to reach some common ground that binds us as Canadians.  If there is anything our rich history has taught us is that seeking a path to truly understanding each other provides the strongest foundations of our nation through better public policy. 

Over the coming months we will be exploring ways to bring you and others into a conversation about the dreams and aspirations we share for this country. With the help of government leaders, both past and present, leaders of industry, leaders of Labour, special interest leaders and you: we want you to engage with us as we share your passion for greater progressive policies. 

This year marks the tenth anniversary of The Pearson Centre and as I start this job in 2023, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Lester B. Pearson becoming Prime Minister of Canada.  In early June, we hosted an intimate chat with the former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien who also celebrates his 60th anniversary of first becoming a Member of Parliament. Both Mr. Pearson and Mr. Chrétien were part of a minority government that ushered in national medicare, the Canada Pension Plan, the Canada Student Loan Program, and of course, adopted our maple leaf flag. 

Please contact me with your thoughts at scott.simms@thepearsoncentre.ca

 

Sincerely,

 

Scott Simms

President & CEO.

The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy.