CADA ADDED A DOSE OF POLITICAL FLAVOUR TO THE RECENT BOARD MEETINGS HELD IN OTTAWA
(From left to right) Rick Gauthier, President and CEO, CADA, Jean Charest, former Premier of Quebec, Steve Chipman, CADA Chairman, and Huw Williams, Director of Government Relations, CADA
The Canadian Automobile Dealers Association wanted to do something different at the recent CADA Spring 2015 executive committee and board of directors meetings held in Ottawa.
Unlike typical board meetings, which tackle advocacy activities and government and industry relations, Rick Gauthier, President and CEO of CADA, said he wanted to add, “a heavy dose of political flavour to the board meetings this year.”
“We wanted to add a diversified political component to a two-day agenda, with the idea of exposing our member associations and national directors to a wide array of political thinking across the country,” said Gauthier in an interview at his Markham, Ont. offices. “They will be better prepared after going back to their provincial jurisdictions to make informed decisions come election day in October.”
The meetings held in Ottawa April 15-16th brought together all of the directors and provincial association executives from across the country who represent the provincial dealer member associations.
Steve Chipman, Chairman of CADA, presided over the meetings and presentations that followed over the two days.
To kick off the proceedings, Senator Victor Oh welcomed the CADA board members to Ottawa at a private dinner held at the historic Rideau Club. The members then heard from Jean Charest, former Quebec Premier and currently a partner at prestigious law firm McCarthy Tetrault, who presented a keynote address.
Charest talked about the moves he thinks Canada needs to make economically and demographically to remain a global leader. He received a standing ovation for his presentation.
It’s also a special time for Canadian auto dealer and its French language sister title, Affaires Automobiles, which are approaching their 10th anniversaries.
To commemorate these important milestones, Niel Hiscox, publisher of both magazines, presented original artwork depicting the St. Lawrence River by artist Ingeborg Jürgensen Hiscox, to the CADA.
The artwork is now hanging in the CADA office to solidify the long-lasting relationship between CADA and Universus Media Group Inc., publishers of Canadian auto dealer and Affaires Automobiles.
CADA presents a cheque to the Parliamentary Interns
Attendees also heard from three renowned Ottawa-based political journalists from the Huffington Post Canada, The Canadian Press and La Presse, in a panel discussion moderated by Huw Williams, the CADA’s Director of Government Relations.
As insiders, the journalists shared some of the political gossip that goes on at Parliament Hill, and they offered up their thoughts on the political frontrunners in the October election.
Also part of the agenda, CADA renewed its financial donation as a long time Silver Sponsor for the Parliamentary Internship program, which brings 10 high-achieving academic students from across the country to spend a year on Parliament Hill and work with various Members of Parliament.
On behalf of the CADA, Steve Chipman presented a cheque to Garth Williams, Executive Director of the Parliamentary Internship Program.
To keep the political theme going, Bruce Anderson, Principal of Anderson Insight and one of Canada’s most well respected political pollsters, revealed the most current nationwide polling data for each of the federal parties vying for leadership in the upcoming election.
At the end of the two days, Gauthier said the board was happy with the political injection into the agenda.
“The board came away with a better understanding of the politics and dynamics of Ottawa, and how we as a federation of associations who represent the most influential retail sector in Canada can have a voice in framing the political landscape of this country.”
