TORONTO, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - Newly appointed Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) Chair Paul V. Godfrey announced today that he will begin working immediately with the new members of the Board of Directors who were appointed yesterday.
At a news conference this morning, Mr. Godfrey said he has called the new board to a meeting next week.
"The government clearly saw the need to put a capable, experienced and business-savvy board in place, they've done just that with the appointment of five highly accomplished individuals, and I congratulate and thank Premier McGuinty and Minister Duncan for that."
"This Board represents an excellent mix of business and social leaders in the province. It's a board that can work at raising levels of accountability, responsibility and integrity at OLG, turning the page on events of the recent past."
Although Mr. Godfrey officially began his role this week, he has attended briefings at the Corporation for the last few weeks.
"While my appointment was just made official yesterday, I have been meeting with employees here for the past few weeks. And I'm happy to report the level of commitment, the understanding of the importance of the work being done and an appreciation of what still lies ahead exists throughout the agency."
"OLG is an accomplished organization," Mr. Godfrey continued. "Clearly a lot of things are being done right at this agency. There are challenges ahead, but I'm optimistic and I look forward to working with this government and my new colleagues on the board."
"We have a responsibility to examine all possibilities and opportunities to build on the profits provided to the Government by OLG and making recommendations that fit within a framework of responsible gaming," he said.
Mr. Godfrey said finding a new Chief Executive Officer will be a priority for the Board. Until then Mr. Bohodar Rubashewsky, who is on assignment from the Government of Ontario will continue acting as the Interim CEO.
The Government of Ontario is recruiting additional board members over the coming months.
OLG Board Appointees:
(Chair) Paul V. Godfrey is President & CEO of the National Post. First elected to public office in 1964, Mr. Godfrey served as Chairman of Metropolitan Toronto from 1973 to 1984. He led efforts to bring Major League Baseball to Toronto in the 1970's; in 1984, he was appointed to the Corporation responsible for development of the SkyDome, and from 2000 to 2008, worked as President & CEO of the Blue Jays Baseball Club. Mr. Godfrey joined the Toronto Sun in 1984 as Publisher & CEO and was appointed President and CEO of The Toronto Sun Publishing Corporation, later known as Sun Media Corporation, in 1992. Mr. Godfrey is active in many associations, most notably the Herbie Fund which he and his wife founded at the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation in 1979. Mr. Godfrey is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario.
Shirley Hoy, of Toronto, is CEO at Toronto Lands Corporation. She is a former Chief Administrative Officer/City Manager for the City of Toronto and a former Executive Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services. Ms. Hoy is a member of both the University of Toronto Governing Council and the Steering Committee of DiverseCity.
Dale Lastman, of Toronto, is Co-Chair of Goodmans LLP. He practices corporate, commercial and securities law. He joined Goodmans as an associate in 1984. Mr. Lastman is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hospital for Sick Children and is Director of Canada's Top 40Under 40.
Anthony Melman, of Toronto, is Chair and CEO of Nevele Inc. Previously, he was founding partner and Vice-President of Onex Corporation at its inception in 1984, and served as a Managing Director until his retirement in 2006. Mr. Melman is Chair of Baycrest Board of Directors and a member of the Board of Governors of Mount Sinai Hospital.
Thomas O'Brien, of Tecumseh, joined PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in 1973 and was Lead Partner for Total Tax Contribution. Mr. O'Brien is a former Director and Chair of the Yves Landry Foundation, a former Director and Treasurer of St. Clair College Foundation.
William Swirsky, of Toronto, is currently CEO of William J.L. Swirsky & Associates. He is a former Vice-President of Knowledge Development at the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. He is a board member of the Centre for Studies in Information Integrity and Information Assurance at the University of Waterloo and a former member of XBRL International Inc. Mr. Swirsky is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario and the Institute of Corporate Directors.
OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $28 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
For further information: For further information: OLG Media Relations - 1-888-946-6716
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