Address by

Minister of State, Dara Calleary, T.D. 

Enterprise Ireland / Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce

Business Breakfast at Hot House Cafe

Toronto, 12 March, 2010


I am delighted to be here in Toronto to represent the government at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.  
I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland and the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce for arranging
this morning’s breakfast.  

 I understand that in addition to well established Chambers here and in Montreal and Edmonton, new Chambers
 have recently been established in Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa.  I congratulate everyone involved in bringing
 this about

 Given the size of Canada, the creation of this pan-Canadian network of Irish business groups is a very welcome development.  As these new Chambers get of the ground, it will be important for the Embassy, EI and the more
 established Chambers to provide advice and assistance.  

 Before bringing you up to date on developments back home, I would like, for a moment, to reflect on the importance
 of the Ireland Canada relationship - a modern twenty first century trading relationship bound together by a four century
 old shared history.
The Famine in particular has played a huge part in shaping the history of Canada and Ireland.  My home county
 of Mayo is a place which was devastated by the Famine.

 Stretching from the Gaspé to Toronto’s Ireland Park, Canada’s St Lawrence Seaway is home to some of the world’s
most important famine memorials. It is a significant but little known fact that the largest recorded number of Irish people buried in one place outside of Ireland is on Grosse Ile in the middle of the St Lawrence.

 Canada’s 2006 census noted that 4.35 million Canadians, 13.8% of the population, claimed some form of Irish heritage, making the Irish the 5^th largest ethnic group in the country. A breakdown of the figures shows that in nine of the thirteen provinces, the Irish account for over 15% of the population and they make up over 10% of the residents in Toronto and Vancouver.

 The scale of the trading relationship between Ireland and Canada is impressive. In 2008, total two way trade was worth $2.5 billion dollars. Despite the very difficult economic conditions prevailing last year, trade in the first 10 months of 2009 was 12 % higher than in the corresponding period of 2008.

 At present, 220 Irish companies export to Canada and 45 Irish companies employ 5,500 people in 65 branches
 throughout Canada.

Ireland maintains a healthy trade balance with Canada in relation to trade in agricultural products and drinks. Two way
trade in this sector is worth some $190 million dollars.

Canada receives almost 25% of Ireland’s foreign direct investment abroad. It is attractive to Irish companies in terms of costs and strategic positioning for establishing a manufacturing base for US exports, particularly in the IT, pharmaceuticals, and agri-food sectors;

 Ireland is 5^th largest recipient of foreign investment from Canada. Some 80 Canadian companies have operations in Ireland.

 Canada continues to provide a steady stream of tourists to Ireland, some 90,000 alone in 2008.

 By any yardstick, the Canada Ireland relationship is a significant one and is greatly valued by the Irish Government.
The Government fully supports the work the Embassy and the state agencies are doing to further strengthen our ties.

 I would like now to return to developments back home.

 Last September Ireland was faced with three major hurdles which had to be crossed in order to secure our economic future:  - the vote on the Lisbon Treaty, the NAMA legislation to recapitalise the banks and the 2010 budget.

 It is a great tribute to the Irish people and to the maturity of our political institutions that despite the very difficult
 prevailing economic circumstances all three measures were passed into legislation.

With these vital building blocks in place, the Government is now applying all its energy to speeding up our recovery and creating new jobs and businesses opportunities. While we still have difficult times ahead of us, we have made good
progress so far.

 The Government has signalled its determination to tackle the budgetary situation head on by taking some very difficult,
 but much needed decisions, in relation to public expenditure.   Through a combination of tough measures in 2009 and
 2010, we have stabilised the public finances and we expect to bring the budgetary deficit below 3% of GNI by 2014.

 Our willingness and capacity to make tough decisions has won support from the international markets as evidenced
by the significant fall in spreads between our bond issues and their German equivalents.

 We are repairing the banking system through measures to guarantee liabilities and recapitalisation and of course we
 have established NAMA.  In a very significant development at the end of February the European Commission endorsed
 the NAMA legislation.  

We have cut costs to improve competitiveness and boost exports and tourism. Last year Irish labour costs improved
 relative to the Euro area as a whole. These measures will foster sustainable employment.

 Underpinning the framework for economic recovery is a stimulus package which contains a number of measures aimed
 at supporting employment while staying focused on our long term sustainable recovery. Among the short term measures introduced were:

Ø          an energy–efficiency retrofit programme;

Ø          a new one year employers exemption from payroll tax for new jobs created in 2010; and

Ø          reduced VAT and excise duties to boost consumer confidence and the retail sector.

 We continue to invest heavily in science and research to build an environment where people can turn smart ideas
 into world class goods and services.  Already, global leaders like Microsoft, Google, Intel and Facebook recognise
 Ireland as the pre-eminent location for fresh thinking and a global hub for innovation.

We are investing in renewable energy and green technologies.  The world turns green on Saint Patrick’s Day but in
 Ireland we think green every day!

 We are developing our infrastructure to support the new, smart economy. Our capital programme, at 5% of GNP,
 is proportionately the highest in Europe.  We will have an infrastructure spend of some $65 billion dollars between
 now and 2016.

 We are protecting our national landscape, which provides the best ingredients for our successful food, drink and
 tourism industries.

 Because of the severity of this recession, it is perhaps easy to forget that the factors which facilitated our recent
 economic success remain in place.  

Ireland continues to attract high quality mobile investment. We are part of the European Union and the Euro zone with
 full access to Europe’s Internal Market.  We have a young, highly educated, flexible workforce, a favourable business
 tax regime, an export-oriented, open economy and a pro-enterprise focus.

 As the global economy gradually improves we are confident that we will be well positioned to take advantage of the
 upturn.  A great advantage of being a small economy is the ability to quickly adjust to changed circumstances. 
 We have a proven track record of being able to do this.

 We are substantively maintaining the progress we have made in developing our world class Research capacity. R&D expenditure trebled in the last ten years and is a significant contributor to the resilience of our exports.  

Virtually all of the top multi–national corporations based in Ireland are connected to our areas of research excellence
 and are supported by the work of Science Foundation Ireland.

 Across all of its programmes, Science Foundation Ireland funded researchers are currently working with over
 300 companies employing some 56,000 people.  

 As Nick (Marmion) will be aware, over the last four years EI has supported over 300 companies across all sectors, including 73 new high potential start ups last year alone – not bad for an economy that all the so-called experts
claimed was moribund.

 Without doubt, the Irish community around the world is one of our strongest assets. Last year’s Global Irish
 Economic Forum in Farmleigh, Dublin, brought together some of the most influential members of the Irish
Diaspora from across the world.  The Forum marked a new phase of active and practical engagement between
 Ireland and our overseas communities, particularly in the business sector.

 Since that event, the Government has put in place a number of new initiatives, including establishing the Global Irish Network, designed to harness the considerable enthusiasm among the Diaspora to support and assist in building a
 successful and sustainable future for Ireland.  Our Embassies along with the state agencies will work closely with the Network members to harness their knowledge and expertise as we plan for the future.

While the main focus of my address this morning has been the economy I know that many of you follow closely
 events in Northern Ireland.

 The last two years have seen the longest continuous period of devolved power-sharing Government since 1998.

 With the Hillsborough Agreement of 5 February, the framework is now in place to complete the devolution process
 with the transfer of policing and justice powers and to reinvigorate the power-sharing Executive and Assembly to
 build on the enormous progress made over the last decade. These are important steps for Northern Ireland as it
continues on the path of stability and normalisation. 

Cooperation between North and South particularly in the economic sphere is increasingly relevant in the context
 of the global downturn.  We are working with the Northern Ireland Executive to deepen cooperation and eliminate duplication in the provision of services.

 We are increasing our research collaboration on a North/South basis, including through the US-Ireland R & D
 Partnership, as we build an “Innovation Island” at home and cooperate to compete internationally.

 Ladies and Gentlemen, while we are certainly living through a most difficult period in world history, and the last
 two years in particular have been very difficult at home, I wish to conclude on an optimistic note.

 The latest assessment from the Irish Central Bank and the Economic and Social Research Institute, the equivalent
 of Canada’s C.D. Howe Institute, predicts that the economy can start growing again in aggregate terms in the
 second half of this year.

 The government is firmly of the view that provided we stick to the course we have set there is no reason why
 we cannot look forward to positive year –on –year growth returning 2011.

 I can assure you that we will be working very hard to bring about this outcome by our own hard work and
 with the support of our Diaspora and our many friends throughout the world.

 Thank you.

EUCOCIT News Up Date - March 2010

Greece on the verge of Bankruptcy

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou likened the country's budget crisis to a "wartime situation" and said that the country was at the risk of bankruptcy if it did not take radical extra measures to cut its debt. Currently the deficit is 12.7%, 4 times the eurozone rules, at 300bn euros. On Wednesday March 3rd the Greek government approved a new austerity package of tax increases and spending cuts to save 4.8bn euros. These include; pensions freeze, cut in public sector pay, increase in sales tax from 19% to 21%, increase tax on fuel, cigarettes ,alcohol and luxury goods. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the plan confirmed that the Greek government was committed to "taking all necessary measures to cut the deficit ". The new package was condemned by Greek Trade Unions. Government officials are quoted as saying the Greek Government is not ruling out going to the IMF if the EU Assistance falls short of what they require.

The Euro under pressure

For the first time since the euro was launched 16 years ago it is under pressure, as there are concerns that in addition to Greece, the economies of Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Italy are heavily indebted countries. On Tuesday 2nd March the euro fell to its lowest level against the dollar in 10 months. While the EU has promised to help Greece, no specific promises of aid were given. Rumors of a bailout by Germany, France and the Netherlands were denied by German Chancellor Merkel, who warned the while the euro was in a most serious crisis, the treaty does not include any provisions for bailing out states. EU officials are clear that they do not want the IMF involved, as it would be perceived as a failure of the euro-zone to correct its own problems. The EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Olin Rehn, is flying to Athens for talks.

Germany's unemployment rises slightly

The Federal Labour Office stated that the February unemployment figures rose to 8.7% from 8.6 (an increase of 7,000) Germany emerged from recession in the second quarter of 2009 and is Europe's largest economy.

Iceland repayment talks collapse

The UK and Dutch governments are seeking repayment from Iceland of more than 3.8bn euros. Iceland's Finance Minister Steingrimur Sigfusson stated "we had hoped to reach a consensual resolution of this issue on improved terms, but this had not yet been possible". A statement from the UK and Dutch governments said "they were very disappointed that despite all the efforts over the past year and a half Iceland is still unable to accept our best offer on the Icesave loan”.

UK Economy now out of recession

The UK economy grew 0.3% in the final three months of 2009, meaning that it is now out of recession.

Goods made in Jewish settlements are not Israeli

The European Court of Justice has ruled that goods made in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank cannot be considered Israeli and therefore do not qualify from the trade deal with the EU giving them preferential access to EU markets. The EU may now impose import duty. The EU has agreements with both Israel and Palestine.

 EUCOCIT Diary

·        March 16 - British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce BCCTC Pub Night in partnership with Canada Euroasia Russia Business Association

·        March 24 - Canadian Netherlands Business and Professional Association CNBPA – "Fireside Chat '10: The E-volution of Marketing: does your online presence matter?"

·        March 25 - Romanian Business Networking Society RBNS "Learn-Share-Network"

·        March 24-26 - GLOBE Conference on the business of Energy and Environment, featuring companies from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK; to be confirmed: Belgium, Scandinavia and Spain.

The following is a lead story on John Furlong from the inaugural edition of Irish Connections canada, march 2009, written by Desmond Devoy

Vancouver Olympics aims to be faster, higher, stronger with Irish CEO

 By Desmond Devoy

 As the bobsled driver told his team, it's all downhill from here.

So too is it for Irishman John Furlong, 58, the Chief Executive Officer for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralymic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia.

On this particular day, Wednesday, February 11th, he is one year, and one day, away from the Opening Ceremonies for the Winter Olympics, marking first time in 22 years that the Olympics have returned to Canada.

"It's a nice place to be," he says. He is speaking on his cell phone as he is driven back to Vancouver from Whistler as preparations continue to welcome the world next year. "There's a lot going on. Half of it is in Whistler and half of it is in Vancouver."

Furlong is heading the $2 billion operation to get Canada's third largest city ready for the games, a job he won back in 2004 ahead of 200 other candidates.

"I can hardly remember where it started," he says, somewhat breathlessly, as he begins his sixth and final year at the helm, before pointing out proudly that "the venues are being built. The project is coming along. The city is looking more and more ready every day."

Furlong often wakes up at 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time in order to "just get myself together and organized," before heading off early to the office. In the course of a day, it is not unusual for him to handle complex negotiations with sponsors, staff, national sporting federations and others, vying for his attention, as well as dealing with issues ranging from technical problems, handling the media, accommodations, and "just putting the team in place," which currently stands at around 50,000.

"The one thing you do notice is that they [problems] get more complex and need to be resolved faster," as the big day approaches, he says. "You have to be [at] a very high energy level, [with] an enourmous amount of adrenalin and patience."

While he has been eating, living and breathing the Olympics seemingly forever, he admitted that "they're part of your DNA."

Furlong admits that his is a seven-day-a-week job, and "it is a rare occurance to have an Olympic-free day. It never sleeps," he says, before adding that "it's always there and very exciting and compelling...There are no two days the same. Things you need to do versus things you want to do or would like to do. It's very much a balancing act."

He places a lot of the success though on his staff. "The people in my life are jugglers. They get me what I need."

The people of British Columbia's lower mainland are grateful for Furlong's efforts, and are not afraid of showing him, especially when complete strangers hug him in the middle of the street.

"That has happened!" Furlong says with a laugh. "Most of the time, you'll get positive encouragement."

Back when Vancouver/Whistler won its bid to host the 2010 games, he and his entourage were heading back to Canada from Prague, Czech Republic.

"I just wanted to rest," he recalled, once he got back home to the west coast. However, about 20 minutes away from Vancouver, the airplane's captain came back to Furlong's seat and told him that people "had already started to celebrate. You might want to prepare yourself [since] there's a large crowd at the airport."

He was not prepared for the sight of hundreds of people cheering Furlong, who headed Vancouver's bid, and his team back to Canada.

Part of what keeps him grounded though is the good example his father, a prison governor, demonstrated for his son.

"I think the one thing I grew up watching was a man who lived his values," he says of his Tipperary-born father.

"You can have all the skills in the world," but they are nothing, he says, unless you "give life everything in life that you have. He [my father] gave life everything he had. I've relied quite a bit on that."

Furlong himself was born in Tipperary, but moved with his family to Dublin, where his father would become the Republic's top civil servant for prisons, ending his career at Mountjoy. Furlong himself was educated at St. Vincent's Christian Brothers School, playing on the school's basketball team. Later, he worked as a leisure manager at Newpark Comprehensive and in Tallaght. He also took to Gaelic football, starting to play when he was 12, and, within a few years, made it to the senior football panel.

"Sports is a metaphor for life," the former captain and centre-fielder says. Part of his job as a leader is to "give them [team members] the tools that at what they do, to help them be successful. These are the lessons you learn as the captain of a sports team."

He adds that "If you don't try hard enough, you won't survive. When you give it everything you have, you have a good chance of coming out a winner."

Soon, as it did for many young men of his generation, the time came to leave for better prospects abroad. He left Ireland for Canada in 1974.

When he arrived at Edmonton Airport that year, the customs agent famously looked at his passport, handed it back to Furlong, and prophetically told him "Welcome to Canada. Make us better."

After only two years in Canada, he became director of parks and recreation in Prince George, British Columbia, soon moving to a similar job in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. In time, he became an official with the British Columbia Games, the Northern Games and the Canada Games, as well as the Canadian Olympic Committee. In his personal life, he has six grandchildren and five children, the youngest from his second marriage.

Every Olympics has its own special moments - whether it was Jesse Owens' win in the 100-metre dash at the 1936 Berlin Olympics or, even, the Jamaican bobsled team of the 1988 Calgary Olympics - but the sheer size and grandiosity of Beijing's opening and closing ceremonies took the world's collective breath away. In the days afterwards, London, England, host of the 2012 Olympics, essentially had to lower its expectations, saying that it would not be able to be as grand as Beijing, and that the British Olympics would be comparatively subdued.

Furlong, however, is not lowering expectations for Vancouver, but is realistic.

"The big thing is that [with] every Olympic games is that, when you walk away, you think 'This will not be topped.'" But he does not subscribe to the notions that he has to rival or exceed Beijing, or try not to be a 2010 version of Montreal's 1976 financial debacle.

"We won't look like Beijing," Furlong said. "Nor should we," though he does promise that the BC games "will be magical and memorable."

As a former GAA man himself, Furlong does not believe that Olympic fans will ever see hurling or Gaelic football included as Olympic events.

"It's not likely. The only event that comes under the auspices of the of the Gaelic Athletic Association [that would be acceptable] is handball," said Furlong. In order for a game to be considered for as an Olympic event, "it has to be universal." Otherwise, he explained, as with GAA sports, "it's very unique to a particular community...it's an odd question."

But, as a sports organizer himself, he commended the GAA for their work in seeing to the "continued growth of the game. As an organization, they have done a great job of building," especially when it comes to getting children involved. "It has sustained itself for 125 years."

Furlong was able to slip away, albeit briefly, to chat with some fellow countrymen back east, during a speech to the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce's Toronto chapter on Thursday, January 22nd.

"It was a lot of fun and it was great to run into so many Irish friends," he said with obvious fondness. "It's nice to know that they are cheering for me."

 We are pleased to share some photos of this auspicious occasion.

(These images are not to be copied, duplicated, transmitted, broadcast, photographed, and / or published in print or electronically without written consent from the photographer, William C. Smith. 647 221-6598 / smittys @rogers.com).

---

EUCOCIT News Up-Date

 March 23rd, 2009

 World’s Growth Forecast

 

World’s Growth Forecast - World Economy "to shrink in 2009 by between 0.5% and 1.0%".

The IMF states (in a report drawn up for the G20 Group of Finance ministers) that developed countries will suffer "a deep recession- the prolonged financial crisis has battered the global economic activity beyond what was previously anticipated". Just two months ago the IMF predicted world output would increase by 0.5% but now predicts that the advanced economies are set to suffer a decline between 3% and 3.5% in 2009, and barely a growth in 2010 of up to 0.5%.

 

This is the first global contraction in 60 years. The IMF States that this will happen despite a big fiscal stimulus from many G20 countries designed to boost growth. The G20 Finance ministers stated that a "key priority" was restoring lending, by tackling problems in the financial system.

 

France & Germany oppose US push for more stimulus

In a joint  letter, released last week, President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel wrote to Mirek Topolanek, the Czech Prime Minister and current EU President, stating that the "top priority for the April G20 summit should be to agree rules for the global financial architecture, rather than to push for new stimulus measures, which is the  position favored by  the US.

 

EU pledges a Fresh E75bn to the IMF

At the conclusion of a two day summit of EU leaders in Brussels they pledged E75bn in new contributions to the IMF. They also agreed to double the size of an EU Balance of payments facility fund for non-Eurozone countries to E50bn. These decisions were reached prior to the April 2nd G20 Summit in London.

 

EBC Possible Boost for the Eurozone

Speaking in Berlin, Axel Weber (German's Bundesbank President) said that the EBC had "room for maneuvers in cutting its main policy interest rate- and could beef up further its anti- recession measures by offering significant amounts of extra liquidity to banks for longer periods" This was a said as data showed Eurozone industrial production in January was 17.3% lower than a year before. The biggest annual fall since records began in 1990.

 

France rejoins NATO

President Sarkozy announces France's return to Nato's military Command after 4 decades. President Charles de Gaulle pulled out of Nato in 1966. It is anticipated that the formalization will take place with a letter to Nato prior to the Alliance celebrating its 6oth Anniversary next month with a summit in Strasbourg.

 

Clarification

It has been brought to the writer attention that the terms "Central & Eastern Europe” as well as other generalities, the "EU, Eurozone , etc" can be misleading regarding statistics quoted, as they appear to cover all countries, while there may be individual highlights not mentioned. This especially related to the heading "Major problems in Eastern Europe". The writer would like to express that no slight was intended to any individual country "All these Updates are taken from Government Documents/ Press Releases. Quotes from Ministers/ Senior Civil Servants and Major International News Sources, all who tend to use these terms. Where possible the writer uses the countries highlighted to insure a balanced view and will continue to make every effort to ensure that accuracy is paramount.

EUCOCIT DIARY

·            The CANADIAN-CROATIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE cordially invites you to attend its

7th Annual Business Excellence Awards Evening

Friday, May 8th, 2009

For ticket inquiries, please contact: Katarina Yelavich, Managerby telephone at (416) 641-2829 or by email at contactus@croat.ca

---

 

On May 23rd, Charlie Coffey O.C. spoke to the Chamber on “Leadership is Passion – The Irish Brand at Work�

(The following is an excerpt from his speech)

 

 

I want to talk about leadership - passionate leadership – and what I refer to as the Irish brand at work. I’ll highlight some extraordinary leadership in the city, country, around the world and in this very room – springboard stories that bring the power of passionate leadership to life. So let’s get started by refreshing our memories on what could be called the Irish brand...

 

You know, Ireland is an excellent example of a nation that cannot be judged by its size: it’s been said that “this small island has greatly exceeded its quota of courage and inspiration through the course of its mesmerizing and troubled history…whether it’s Ireland’s “mystical beliefs and legends, ancient Celtic lore, devout Christian faith; impassioned and tender love, laughter and sense of outrage, rebellion when called for, no matter what the odds; high spirits and sometimes high ideals - Ireland is a giant among the small countries of the earth.� And these characteristics are reflected in the leadership of its people – and this includes Irish Canadians.

 

According to Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, while leadership is hard to define, “you know it when you see it, feel it, and hear it – it’s inspiring.� An effective leader creates and instills vision, energy, trust and clarity - a leader encourages and supports people - a leader lets you know there's a vested interest in your success - the team's success. “A great leader pulls others along rather than pushing them around.� It's an important distinction so I'll say it again: “Great leaders pull others along instead of pushing them around.� Leadership is also about communication and consistency in communication – sending the right signals. And as an Irish proverb aptly puts it: “A silent mouth is often melodious.�

 

In an article, Passion: The Light of Leadership , Michele Payn-Knoper of Cause Matters Corp. says: “Leadership is passion. Without passion, a person will have very little influence as a leader. I believe passion provides an individual with the light of leadership and creates an undeniable drive to make a difference.

 

And in the words of passionate Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw: “Life is no brief candle to me. It’s a sort of splendid torch which I’ve got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.�

“Leadership is not achieved by those who speak the most eloquently, command the most attention or win the most awards. Rather, leadership is one’s ability to influence and help others.�

“True leaders combine absolute integrity with an innate ability to unite a group around a central cause. Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Essentially, they draw others to the flame of their passion!�

“Now is the time when we must find ways to extract that passion and create more leaders of influence. After all, if we are to pass on the splendid torch noted in George Bernard Shaw’s quote to future generations, we need to ensure it is burning as brightly as possible. Passion is the light of the leadership torch that will help guide the way now and in the future!�

In the article by author Hiren Shah, “Excitement begets excitement�, he says: Only companies and leaders who are passionate about what they are doing will be able to create great organizations. Without passion, you cannot create great organizations. You have to be excited about what you are doing.�

The heart element is not always given its due importance in leadership literature. This is what the Harvard Business Review piece -‘The mind of the leader’ has to say about it: “If you are looking for leaders, how can you identify people who are motivated by the drive to achieve rather than by external rewards? The first sign is a passion for the work itself — such people seek out creative challenges, love to learn and take pride in a job well done. They also display an unflagging energy to do things better and are forever raising the performance bar. Since everybody obviously cannot be a leader on every issue, it is passion for a particular work more than intelligence that paves the way of identifying great leadership.�

Here are three examples of great Irish leadership (not surprisingly, two of them are about women)…

·  Edmund Burke.  Born, raised, and educated in Ireland, he was one of the most well-known statesmen and political philosophers of the eighteenth century and a passionate conservative leader! His words and work are legendary…

 

·  Mary Robinsonwas elected to office in 1990 - not only was she the first woman president of Ireland, she was, at the time, one of only three female heads of state in the world. She resigned the presidency in 1997 to accept the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In 2007, Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel and Desmond Tutu convened a group of world leaders to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity to tackle some of the world's most challenging problems. Mary Robinson is a member of this new group - The Elders. In addition, Mary Robinson is currently leading Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative from New York. Its mission is to put human rights standards at the heart of global governance and policy-making and to ensure the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are addressed on the global stage. Mary Robinson is apassionate leader!

 

·  Mary McAleese  is thesecond and current female President of The Republic of Ireland and the first in the world to succeed another woman. She is also the first President to be born in Northern Ireland - into a Catholic Belfast family while growing up in a Protestant area, near Ardoyne. She was ranked the 55th most powerful woman in the world on a list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes, despite the ceremonial nature of the presidency.Mary McAleese is another passionate leader!

One of my favourite authors on the subject of leadership is John C. Maxwell. In the introduction of his book The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader,he writes: “What makes people want to follow a leader? Why do people reluctantly comply with one leader while passionately following another to the ends of the earth?

What separates leadership theorists from successful leaders who lead effectively in the real world? The answer lies in the qualities of the individual person…leadership develops from the inside out.�

Here’s a snapshot of passionate leadership stories that could easily fall into the high-spirited Irish brand…

 

·  When the late Dr. Israel Asper, founder of CanWest Global Communications, announced the establishment of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on April 17, 2003, it was no coincidence the April date marked the 21st anniversary of the signing of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. His interest in civil and human rights was a lifetime interest. His vision revolved around the creation of a distinctive, architecturally exceptional museum to help recognize human rights as the foundation for equality, dignity and freedom – “ the only human rights museum of this scale in the world.â€? He envisioned the Museum as an “international icon the equivalent of Big Ben in London and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.â€? He envisioned “the Queen, Nelson Mandela and the descendants of Martin Luther King and Gandhi coming to Winnipeg for the official opening of the Museum.â€? He said: “There’s a tendency among Canadians to aim for the middle…we should be reaching for the stars.â€? Today others, most notably his daughter Gail Asper (Managing Director of The Asper Foundation) are making his passion and his dream a reality – a passion and dream that will benefit Canada and the world . And we’re getting closer on the private fundraising front… Talk about the power of passionate leadership…

 

·  By now, you know of Hannah Taylor, the incredible ten year old Winnipegger who started painting ladybugs on jars to raise money for the city's homeless last year. She founded the Ladybug Foundation and has earned “recognition, respect and support from politicians, business leaders, artists, musicians and the general public across the country.â€? Hannah speaks up about the homeless in cities and towns from coast to coast – she was the youngest person ever to address the Empire Club of Canada three years ago and the Foundation has already raised more than one million dollars. By the way, her mother is Irish! Check out www.ladybugfoundation.ca. Talk about the power of passionate leadership…

 

·  A young man named Matthew surely “wasn’t just any 8 year old boy. Matthew was concerned about and involved in the welfare of other human beings and animals who share his city ( Toronto). That's why, for his birthday, instead of presents for himself, Matthew asked his friends to please make a donation to The Pathways to Education Program - the program in Toronto's Regent Park, the oldest and largest public housing project in Canada. Matthew knew that in doing this, the gifts his friends gave to him was the gift of helping other young people get to school, stay in school and move on to post-secondary programs. Matthew and his mom are an inspiration to their friends, colleagues, their community and Pathways.â€? Talk about the power of passionate leadership…

 

·  In 2003, when more than 400 people converged on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for a conference on Diversity and Islam — Bridging the Gap, the first initiative of the Canadian branch of Women Engaging in Bridge Building (WEBB), Nazreen Ali, president of WEBB Canada, knew it was right and timely to be building bridges and fostering understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. In 2007, she coordinated a successful trade mission to the Middle East. I was proud to lead the delegation last November and even more proud to see what women like Nazreen Ali are accomplishing. Talk about the power of passionate leadership…

There’s no end to the stories that I can tell about the power of passionate leadership, just as there’s no end to the passionate leadership stories among this group. Each and every one of you is a role model for your peers and for the next generation of leaders.

 

I recall reading an October 3, 2007 headline in Canadian Corporate News: “What Do a Former Canadian Prime Minister and a Former Irish Prime Minister Have in Common with Tim Pat Coogan? Fifty years of personal accounts of the Irish immigrant experience in Canada.� Of course, the story was about the personal endorsements of two former Prime Ministers, The Right Honourable John Turner and Dr. Garret FitzGerald who joined renowned Irish author, Tim Pat Coogan in support of “A Story to be Told�: Fifty years of personal accounts of the Irish Immigrant experience in Canada, by Eleanor McGrath, with photographs by William C. Smith.

 

Eleanor is to be highly commended for undertaking a project that has never been done before – focusing on Irish Canadians who emigrated in the years 1940 to 1990 – and the writing of 130 Irish immigrants' personal journeys to Canada. It is a story that needs to be told – “a story for Canadians, Irish and the strengthening of the historic record of immigration and multiculturalism in Canada. Once again, this is all about passionate leadership…

 

And finally, as this appears to be a day to showcase women…all these years later, Tales of the Elders of Ireland by Ann Dooley (the first complete English translation of a cycle of tales dating back to the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th century), is still heralding rave reviews – I saw one the other day that said of the paperback edition: “One of the masterpieces of the second millennium.� Once again - passionate leadershipat work.

As you may know, I’m also proud of my heritage and the Irish brand of leadership…when I thinkback to the early days, my first encounter with leadership originated with my parents. As one of countless examples, my Irish-Catholic father's friendship with Sam Meltz, a Jewish local junk dealer in Woodstock, New Brunswick is significant unto itself (given the times). That I became supportive and understanding of Jewish causes is the lifetime leadership gift these two men gave me.

 

In closing, along this life journey, I’ve learned that my mother’s huge heart and my father’s strong work ethic have helped shape my values, thinking and energy…my authentic self. I’ve learned that reaching out to people in all walks of life, understanding cultures, building relationships and supporting communities, makes the world a better place. I’ve also learned that many interests involving Aboriginal peoples, women entrepreneurs, women in politics, not to mention children and youth, have earned an important voice in the boardrooms of financial institutions and businesses across the country. Running for a better Canada means caring enough to speak up about issues that matter: poverty, homelessness, early child development, education and diversity…

 

Along this life-journey, I continue to learn that either you get it or you don’t…and those who get it embody the essence of enlightened, compassionate (and passionate) leadership.

 

 

I close with an Irish blessing and one more Irish proverb:

 

May you never forget what is worth remembering, or remember what is best forgotten.

 

And if you are lucky enough to be Irish, you are lucky enough!

 

Thank you…

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

Results from the 4th Annual Quiz Night, November 14th, 2007

 

June 20, 2007: President McAlesse Speech from Luncheon

NewEvent Photos added! June 8, 2007: Chamber Golf Tournament http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/189828.0d7faa39cd9

March 11,2007: Irish Person of the Year 2007

March 16, 2007: ICCC Breakfast with Minister Dick Roche

 

Mark your calendar and stay tuned for further updates.

News 12/23/2006:

Year End Report from the President - Ken Tracey

Enterprise Ireland office opens in Toronto

NEW MEMBER ADVISORY - December , 2008

 

Ron Davidson of Creative Visuals. Ron's company design and produces signage, large format printing, banners etc. Provides design services for signage, print media, vehicle graphics - installation service for interior / exterior signage.

Tel: 905 469-2420 / design@creativevisuals.ca

 

Kevin Gallagher of Mildred's Temple Kitchen. Kevin opens his new restaurant this week at 85 Hanna Avenue, Suite # 1 in the Liberty Village area ( south of Queen / east of Dufferin) and we wish him well. Mildred's Temple Kitchen offers casual fine dining serving lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday; Brunch & Dinner on Sunday. Cosmopolitan menu featuring Asian and European influences.

Tel: 416 588-5695 / kevin@mildredpierce.com

 

Lita Letto of Softworks. Softworks provide Computerized Clocking / Time and Attendance, Staff Scheduling and Workforce Management Solutions. Over 1,000 successful installations over 18 years. With their head office in Dublin, Softworks are delighted to announce the launch of operations in North America with the opening of the Toronto Office. Tel: 888 927-0598 / lletto@softworks-workforce.ca

Kyle McNamara of Scotiabank. Kyle has responsibility for Small Business at Scotiabank. Tel: 416 933-1960 / kyle.mcnamara@scotiabank.com

• Irish Person of the Year 2007
• ICCCTO Christmas 2006
• Third Irish Canadian Pub Quiz - November 2006
• Annual Brian Dolan Golf Tournament, 2006
• Dinner with Kevin Roberts
• Irish Person of the Year 2006
• ICCCTO Christmas 2005
• Second Irish Canadian Pub Quiz - October 2005
• Connecting with Canada seminar - October 2005
• Speaker Series Luncheon with John Doyle
• The times they are a changin...
• John Tory Luncheon
• Irish Person of the Year
• Reception at Diageo Canada
• Lunch with Michael Ballard
• A Chamber Christmas at P.J. O'Briens
• First Irish Canadian Pub Quiz - November 2004
• EU Enlargement Luncheon - May 2004
• Lunch with Ambassador Mark J. Moher - March 2004
• Lunch with Dr. Terence Kavanagh - February 2004

Parliamentary Delegation visit Toronto.
On Friday September 22nd the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce was pleased to host a Parliamentary delegation from Ireland that included 5 TD's, the Ceann Comhairle and the Leas Ceann Comhairle. In attendance were many of the leaders of the Toronto Irish community along with the executive of the Chamber and ICCC Pillar and Gold sponsors.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the Irish community to share their success stories with a delegation as distinguished as this from Ireland" President of The Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce, Ken Tracey

The main purpose of the visit was an international Union of Speakers of Parliaments and an Interparliamentary Union which provides a framework for Speakers and parliamentarians from around the world to meet to exchange ideas build contacts etc. During the visit, the Delegation, which is headed by the Ceann Comhairle, met with the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Speaker of the Senate, the Minister for Health, the Parliamentary Secretary in the PM's Office (Jason Kenney), a PS at Foreign Affairs (Mr. Obhrai) and the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. In Toronto, they met with Joe Tascona, Deputy Speaker of the Ontario legislature.

Topics for discussion were wide ranging and the strengthening of Ireland/Canada relationship is at the heart of meetings and, indeed, the entire visit.

"Following the intensive programme earlier in the week, which saw the Irish Parliamentary delegation meet with Speakers and Deputy Speakers, the Minister for Health and Committee Chairs, Friday evening's reception provided the Delegation with an ideal chance for an informal meeting with Irish community leaders in Toronto. I know all the Delegation enjoyed the chance to meet with everyone who attended and the lively discussions which ensued was certainly the perfect finish to a very successful visit." said Karl Gardiner First Secretary Irish Embassy Ottawa.

Download pdf.