The Conference Board of Canada / Spencer Stuart

2007 National Awards in Governance

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

The National Awards in Governance are an initiative of The Conference Board of Canada and Spencer Stuart Canada, designed to recognize innovations in governance that

* enhance governance practices;

* yield tangible results; and

* can be applied to other organizations.

Through this awards program, we have set out to showcase Canadian boards that have demonstrated courage by making significant—even bold—changes in response to the governance challenges facing organizations today.

We have been supported by the experience and wisdom of an outstanding advisory board whose members are drawn from leading organizations across the country.

Why is Board Governance Important?

* Good Governance is not always visible from the outside but can help make good organizations great…in all sectors of society.

* Poor governance is often too visible, as internal stumbles turn into banner headlines

In addition to one overall award for innovation in governance, sector-specific awards in each of the public, private and not-for-profit sectors will be presented at an awards dinner to be held on February 7, 2007.

The award-winning organizations will receive wide recognition from their National Award in Governance and will have the opportunity to present their innovations at the 2007 Corporate Governance Conference the following day.

These organizations are an example to Canada’s boards at a time when governance will be sorely tested. They show us that excellence in governance boils down to two simple concepts: find the right people to sit on the board, people who will be engaged, committed and independent; then empower them with active oversight and control of the organization to be the directing mind of the body corporate.

Past years’ award-winning organizations are not eligible to re-enter for three years.