The 2013 ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit Opening Luncheon will feature Globe & Mail National Affairs Columnist Gary Mason.
Gary Mason, Columnist, Globe & Mail
“Day after day,week after week Gary Mason displays a perspective on current affairs in BC and in Canada that is broad, penetrating, balanced and insightful. Gary’s perspective on a range of issues affecting life in BC and life on Vancouver Island will provide a provocative beginning to our 2-day Economic Summit” – George Hanson, VIEA President.
People are, of course, interested in the political landscape, and, on the ground, they want to know ‘what does this mean to me?’ What is the current political agenda and where are the landmines? What are the potential negative or positive impacts to Island life and economy in the next few years? The federal and provincial coffers are pretty well empty. Will Liquified Natural Gas save us all? How will the opposition regroup to challenge? And with First Nations playing an increasingly prominent role in major decisions affecting the economy, how will the social, political and economic future of BC and of the Island unfold?
And just to make things even more complex, social media is changing public life for everyone and anyone–changing politics, and changing journalism–intoxicatingly fast yet unforgiving…
Gary Mason began his journalism career in British Columbia in 1981, working as a summer intern for Canadian Press. One of his first assignments was covering the last days of the province’s favourite son, Terry Fox. Mr. Mason would later go on to work for the Victoria Times-Colonist before joining The Vancouver Sun, where he worked for 19 years in a variety of roles, including legislative bureau chief, city editor and deputy managing editor before he began writing a popular sports column in 1997. He joined The Globe and Mail in 2005 as a national columnist writing on BC and western Canadian affairs.
Mr. Mason has six times been the recipient of the Jack Webster Award, including as Commentator of the Year. He has also been twice winner of the industry’s highest honour, a National Newspaper Award. He is the author or co-author of six books, including the No. 1 bestseller Patriot Hearts, which he wrote with John Furlong. Mr. Mason has lived in BC since 1979, now based in Vancouver with his wife, Barbara, also a writer and editor, and two sons, Jordan and Geoffrey.
Come hear Gary’s perspective of the rapidly changing world around us. Register now to participate in the October 29/30 Economic Summit in Nanaimo!
