The Canada Institute Names the Honourable Rona Ambrose as Global Fellow

The Canada Institute Names the Honourable Rona Ambrose as Global Fellow

WASHINGTON —The Wilson Center is pleased to announce that the Honourable Rona Ambrose will be joining the Center’s Canada Institute as a visiting Global Fellow.

On May 27, 2017, Ambrose’s term as Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons will come to an end.

Based out of the Canada Institute’s Washington, DC office, Ambrose will work on the critical issue of Canada-U.S. trade during her Wilson Center tenure. Ambrose will lead the Institute’s efforts to convene U.S. and Canadian officials to explore the benefits of an integrated and competitive North American economy that is focused on job creation and prosperity.

Canada Institute Director Laura Dawson states: “We are thrilled to host Ms. Ambrose. She has demonstrated extraordinary leadership both in government and in opposition on Canada-U.S. issues, Ms. Ambrose will be a source of insightful ideas and a champion of North American competitiveness during the renegotiation of NAFTA this fall.”

Says Ambrose: “North American economic integration has created hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs and resulted in greater economic growth for both the United States and Canada. Free trade has allowed our businesses to grow and compete around the globe, leading to greater prosperity on both sides of the border. I’m proud to join the Canada Institute in order to promote policies that increase North American competitiveness and to continue my work advocating for greater trade liberalization between the United States and Canada.”

Canada Institute Advisory Board Co-Chair and Vice Chair of BMO Financial Group David Jacobson recalls: “During my time as a U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Ms. Ambrose played an integral role in increasing our countries bilateral trade relationship. As a Cabinet Minister, she argued persuasively in favor of open markets and freer trade between our two great nations. She is also a steadfast advocate on behalf of women all over the world. As Canada’s Minister for the Status of Woman she was instrumental in the U.N.’s decision to recognize October 11 as the International Day of the Girl. She is an outstanding addition to the Wilson Center and I look forward to working closely with her on Canada-U.S. relations.”

Hugh Mackinnon, Chairman and CEO of Bennet Jones, and Canada Institute Advisory Board Co-Chair states: "We are delighted to have the Honourable Rona Ambrose join the Wilson Center as a Global Fellow. Ms. Ambrose has served her country as a senior minister of Canada's federal government in a number of portfolios, and most recently as the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Her distinguished political career has been a testament to her extraordinary capabilities and her dedication to public service. She is a person respected by all political constituencies. We look forward to her participation at the Center and to her insights into Canadian – American relations."

The Wilson Center provides a strictly nonpartisan space where the worlds of policymaking and scholarship interact. Notable past and present Canada Institute alumni include:

• Gary Doer, former NDP Premier of Manitoba, former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, and current Canada Institute Advisory Board Co-Chair.
• Jim Prentice, former Progressive Conservative premier of Alberta, former Canadian Minister of the Environment, and Former Wilson Center Global Fellow.
• Andrew Cohen, former Wilson Center Global Fellow, Canadian bestselling author and professor of Journalism at Carleton University.

Joe Clark, Sixteenth Prime Minister of Canada, and Former Wilson Center Public Policy Scholar.

Media inquiries:
Please contact: Ryan McKenna (Ryan.McKenna@wilsoncenter.org) or 202.691.4217

Notes to editors:

1. First elected as a Member of Parliament for Edmonton – Spruce Grove in 2004, the Honourable Rona Ambrose was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2011, and most recently in 2015 in the new riding of Sturgeon River – Parkland. In November 2015, Ms. Ambrose was elected by the National Conservative Caucus to serve as the Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons. Ms. Ambrose has held numerous cabinet positions and led several significant government initiatives, including:

• The Minister responsible for federal/provincial/territorial relations, government and defense procurement, labour, health and status of women.
• Serving on the Prime Minister’s senior cabinet committee tasked with approving all Government of Canada decisions. She also served as Chair of Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Committee and Vice-Chair of the Treasury Board.
• Leading the creation of two key industrial strategies (the Canadian Defense Procurement Strategy and the National Shipbuilding Program)