Biography
The Honourable Christy Clark led Canada’s third largest province for over six years. Throughout her tenure, Clark demonstrated the strongest performance of any Canadian Premier for economic growth, fiscal management and job creation.
As Premier, Clark earned a well-deserved reputation as a consensus builder both within the Cabinet, and outside it. Her management style was to carefully set out a plan that included hard goals and deadlines for each Ministry and monitor progress through regular reporting to Cabinet and Committees which she chaired.
Her legacy is characterized by her determination to plan for future generations. She left BC with a significantly diversified economy, a greater diversity of markets, a plan for a new, clean energy supply, billions of dollars of new infrastructure, and a dramatic reduction in the burden of public debt that will be borne by future generations of British Columbians.
When she left office, British Columbia had been Canada’s economic leader for three years running – the first time that has happened since the 1960s. BC went from being 9th in job creation to 1st among provinces. And, after inheriting a deficit of $1.2B, Clark’s government went on to balance 5 consecutive budgets. Her last budget included $52B in revenues and boasted a $2.8B surplus. When she retired, BC was on-track to eliminating its operating debt by 2020 – the first time since 1976. BC was also the only Canadian province with a AAA credit rating.
Clark retired from political life in 2017 as the longest-serving female Premier in Canadian history and the only woman in Canada ever to be re-elected.
Speech Topics
Leadership Lessons From A Former Premier
In this talk, Premier Clark reflects on her journey as a kid from Burnaby to becoming Premier of British Columbia in 2011, where she governed for 6 years. Through humour, storytelling and never-before-heard behind the scenes insight, Premier Clark shares her biggest takeaways from heading an entity as large and complicated as the Government of British Columbia
Life as A Woman In Politics
As Premier, Christy Clark experienced many adversities and scenarios that would shock and amaze audience members. Many of those centred around her job as a leader in the very male dominatedworld of politics. She talks about the way she was covered differently by media, her political opponents and what being a woman prevented her from actually doing and saying while she was Premier.
It’s The Economy, Stupid
During her time as Premier, Christy Clark took BC from 9th to 1st in economic growth. A strong economy allows governments and organizations to focus on other priorities (i.e. what you can spend money on) – but without it, there isn’t much you can do. Hear first-hand about how Premier Clark oversaw BC’s turnaround and her key principles for how to ensure long-term, sustainable economic growth.
Canada’s Future
As Premier, Christy Clark made it a point to promote British Columbia’s businesses and resources around the world, and not just in the usual places. A report by HSBC predicted that by 2050 – 19 of the 30 largest economies in the world will be “emerging.” For British Columbia and Canada to be properly prepared, it must accept, embrace and strategize for this.
