By Greg Hoekstra
Former Premier Gordon Campbell chose The Vancouver Board of Trade as the venue for his first public address to B.C.’s business community since assuming his new role as Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
At a Feb. 10 luncheon, presented by The British Consulate-General Vancouver and Canaccord Financial, Campbell reflected on Vancouver’s 2010 Olympics and dropped hints of what’s to come at the London 2012 Games this summer.
Campbell’s speech came just two days before the second anniversary of Vancouver’s Games, and as a result, he was introduced by friend and VANOC CEO John Furlong, who shared memories of Campbell’s leadership in the days leading up to Olympics.
Campbell also gave insights into his new role in Europe, and quipped that he is “probably the first High Commissioner ever to go to his audience with Her Majesty in a Ford station wagon.”
He also touched on the European economy, and drew attention to the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement that Canada and the European Union are currently negotiating.
“It is something that we should work together to try and accomplish because there’s few things in the world that will do as much to enhance our economy as trade,” he said.
“It’s not just that we’ll open opportunities for us here and opportunities for Europe, we will be the only country in the world that has a direct connection with Europe and a direct connection with the United States.”
The event, which took place at the Vancouver Convention Centre, was supported by media partners The Vancouver Sun and The Province.
Campbell’s speech will be broadcast on Shaw the week of April 1. See schedule on page 2, or subscribe to The Vancouver Board of Trade’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/TheBoardofTrade.
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