Lisa Raitt, Federal Minister of Transport and Halton M.P., will be the keynote speaker at the Oakville Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Chair’s Dinner on September 17, 2013 at the Oakville Conference Centre.
Lisa Raitt was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and re-elected in 2011. In July 2013, Ms. Raitt was appointed Minister of Transport. Previously, she was appointed Minister of Natural Resources in October 2008 and Minister of Labour in January 2010.
Prior to her election to the House of Commons, Ms. Raitt was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Port Authority (TPA). She had previously served as the TPA's general counsel and harbourmaster. As a lawyer, Ms. Raitt specialized in the areas of intellectual property, commercial litigation and shipping arbitration.
Ms. Raitt is an active member of her community. She volunteered as a Halton canvasser and fundraiser for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and for her children's hockey, soccer and gymnastics organizations. In 2002, Ms. Raitt was invited to become a member of the Canadian chapter of the worldwide Young Presidents' Organization.
She is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Guelph. She earned her law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. She resides in Oakville, Ontario, and is the mother of two boys.
“We are honoured to host Ms. Raitt,” says Chamber chair Julia Hanna. “The chamber is thrilled to provide this rare opportunity to our members. Given the importance of transportation to our town and region, Ms. Raitt’s speech is very timely.”
“Under the leadership of Julia Hanna, it has been record year for the chamber. Julia has been instrumental in increasing the chamber’s profile in the business community and the community at large,” comments John Sawyer, Chamber president. “The Chair’s Dinner and Ms. Raitt’s visit will be a fitting tribute to Julia for the outstanding leadership she has provided to the chamber.”
This will be the chamber’s 59th Annual Chair’s Dinner. In addition to recognizing Julia Hanna’s leadership, the gala event will be the inauguration of the chamber’s incoming chair. Members of the public are invited to attend.
Tickets are available by visiting the chamber website at www.oakvillechamber.com or emailing [email protected]. Ticket prices are $125 for members and $175 for non-members. Tables of eight are available. All prices are subject to HST. The date is Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at the Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville. The event will begin with a networking reception and silent auction beginning at 5 pm. The dinner will follow at 6 pm.