We are pleased to announce that David Rosenberg, Chief Economist & Strategist at Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc. will provide a global economic overview at this year’s OES.  OES delegates can expect invaluable insight into the state of the global economy including what might be in store for Ontario, Canada and the world as we continue along the road to recovery.   Also expect some recommendations on how to position our economy for sustainable growth.  Rosenberg has raised eyebrows with his bearish outlook on the economy – recently stating the dreaded “Double Dip” actually began in Q3 of this year.

Prior to joining Gluskin Sheff in 2009, Mr. Rosenberg was Chief North American Economist at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch in New York and prior thereto, he was a Senior Economist at BMO Nesbitt Burns and Bank of Nova Scotia.  From 2001 to 2008, Mr. Rosenberg was ranked first in economics in the Brendan Wood International Survey for Canada, ranked second overall in the 2008 Institutional Investors Survey for the U.S., and was on the Institutional Investor All American All Star Team from 2005-2008. Mr. Rosenberg also ranked 4^thout of 104 economists in the 2009 Thomson-Extel survey of global portfolio managers.

He has made several TV appearances and his articles feature regularly in all the major financial and business newspapers/journals. He is a guest columnist for Globe Investor and Report On Business.

Mr. Rosenberg received both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Toronto.

Studies on Canada’s Crucial Infrastructure Investment Needs

Canada needs to invest in its infrastructure NOW to prevent its economy from under-performing in the coming years.

Clear links are now being established between a country’s investment in infrastructure and its productivity and growth. According to a recent report commissioned by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) earlier this month, Canada’s large infrastructure deficit is undermining our economy and overall quality of life.  Another report by the Conference Board of Canada, issued in March 2010, concluded that “for every dollar spent on public infrastructure in Ontario, $1.11 in real GDP was generated”.  As a result, both reports highlight the need for immediate action to improve our roads, bridges, sewers, transit systems, water lines, etc in order for our society to operate and grow.

Quick fixes will not suffice. It is now time for us to turn to long-term stable funding solutions and programs. Our upcoming Ontario Economic Summit (OES) will address this major issue through our panel entitled “Gateways to Growth: Ontario’s Transportation Infrastructure. We invite you to come share your ideas and recommendations to help us build and sustain a more prosperous and attractive province.

For more information on the Summit (including agenda and speakers) and to register, please visit: www.occ-oes.com.

Download the full RCCA report on “Public Infrastructure Underinvestment: The Risk to Canada’s Economic Growth”.

Download the full Conference Board of Canada report on “The Economic Impact of Public Infrastructure in Ontario”.

The Innovation Investment panel which will focus on how we can facilitate:

• A more effective environment for industry-academia collaboration?
• Higher levels of entrepreneurship?
• Increased willingness to adopt new technologies among industry?
• Increased investments and available venture capital?
• Effective management of intellectual property rights and ownership?

has been joined by:

• Kim Parlee, Host of the Business News Network (moderator
• Timothy R. Haig, President and CEO of BIOX Corporation
• Patricia Massetti, Vice President, Public Affairs and Patient Care of Merck

The Gateways to Growth: Ontario’s Transportation Infrastructure panel which seeks to raise awareness about our challenges, review current development plans for transit systems and corridors, discuss ways to further improve our multimodal transportation network in innovative ways, look at solutions implemented in other jurisdictions, and think, outside the box, about alternative funding options given the current constraints linked to public financing has been joined by:

• William A. Henderson, President and CEO of Purolator Courier Ltd.

For a look at the 2010 complete preliminary agenda, with format and timing please visit: http://occ-oes.com/documents-2010/summit-agenda

For program ideas or recommendation please contact gabrielleschachter@occ.on.ca

Innovation, Transportation and Red Tape are just a few of the topics that will be discussed at the upcoming Ontario Economic Summit (OES). Over the past 7 years, the OES has become known for its forward-thinking and the opportunities it creates for the growth in Ontario, as expressed by Ken Lewenza, National President, CAW – Canada:

“The development of successful and fair economic policies requires the participation of all stakeholders: business, government, labour, NGOs, and communities. The OES is one of the few venues where all these constituencies can get together for a frank and fruitful discussion of how to build a better economic future.”

The OES is on track to be another memorable and successful event. To find out more about what’s in store for this year’s Summit, check out the preliminary agenda online.

Register before July 30 to receive the early bird discount and save $400!