Blog Line

Last week I had the opportunity to hear former British PM Tony Blair speak on his views regarding “Building Global Relations”. Regardless of anyone’s views on Mr. Blair’s politics or his political legacy he is a very gifted communicator - no powerpoint, visual aids or teleprompter. He held an audience of 2,000 or so enthralled and throughout his talk received several standing ovations. It was a very unCanadianlike love-in. According to Mr. Blair, subprime mortgage are having a global economic impact well beyond US borders (as we are clearly seeing today), the question of appropriate immigration policies and strategies are being grappled with across the world and is the silent, real issue in the US Presidential race. He touched on the growing impact of Severeign Wealth Funds (this week’s “Economist” cover story topic) and of course global terrorism. Mr. Blair believes on the subject of global terrorism we are all really in the fight for what global values will dominate in the new world order. He was candid, self-deprecating,engaging and with a powerful message. Like all great communicators.