The collected wisdom of ...

Name: Dennis Wallace 

Chairman of Kenora Economic Development Commission, private consultant.

Residence: Kenora

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Q As the former head of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, do you have some good development ideas for the North?

Northern Ontario is a treasure trove of resources whether it is people or the land and all that it contains. We are in a period of transition that is and will be very difficult. Thinking of Cape Breton and other parts of the Atlantic, I have observed that communities that work closely can find new opportunities after traditional economies decline. For communities to be effective, senior governments must park their jurisdiction at the door and identify solutions with communities, then put together the programs and authorities to make a difference. First Nations must be key and equal players because they have equal rights to a fair share of economic opportunity.

Q What's the best advice you've ever received?

An ex-boss, Bruce Rawson, who was deputy of five or so departments, advised that, as a deputy or CEO, one had to keep focused on strategic priorities which must be limited in number, perhaps three or four. There are always many other issues such as human resource matters or crises that can consume time and distract from central goals. One must be able to pause from key tasks just long enough to be sure that small problems do not become insurmountable challenges and that there are other managers who can be delegated to address the day-to-day brushfires.