The Report on Business reports this morning that AC has hired Peter Donolo, former Press Secretary for MP Jean Chrétien, as its new Senior VP Governement and Public Affairs. Donolo will leave his current job as consul-general in Milan to take up the post. Obviously Milton realizes he still has a problem communicating his message to both Parliament and the public, and needs to remake his image.

I have a lot of time for Peter. Bright guy, and knows his stuff.

I don't think Milan was the right place for him, but it was a nice perk (and he gets to keep a green passport). He will probably do extremely well for AC in this job.

Sounds like an excellent choice!~

BTW AC*SE - what is a "green" passport? How does this differ from "red"?

Special Passport.

They are given to MP's and Senators; Privy Councillors; Puisne Justices of the SCC; Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices of Provincial Superior Courts; public servants travelling on Government business who are not on diplomatic assignments; former Heads of Mission (Ambassadors, High Commisioners and Consuls-General).

Red Passports are Diplomatic Passports, and they go to the Governor General; the Prime Minister; the Chief Justice of Canada; the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons; the Cabinet; the Leader of the Opposition; Deputy Ministers; and public servants on diplomatic postings or assignments.

[This message has been edited by AC*SE (edited 01-30-2001).]

Here's the announcement as it was sent to employees:


ORGANIZATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT

As we continue to evolve Air Canada into one of the world’s premier
airlines, the focus of our attention needs to be on the delivery of
quality customer service while aggressively looking for ways to
enhance the company’s shareholder value.

With this in mind, I am pleased to announce that the Board of
Directors has approved my recommendations to make the following
organization and Executive Management changes.

- Paul Brotto, President & Chief Executive Officer, Canadian
Airlines is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President,
Planning & Cost Management effective immediately. Paul’s mandate
will be to focus on identifying the opportunities to improve the
company’s overall cost efficiency and to plan, prioritize and
support the implementation of profit enhancing solutions. As part of
his overall responsibility Paul will also be responsible for
developing and maintaining a comprehensive rolling 5 year Corporate
plan.

- Doug Port, previously Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs &
Government Relations is appointed Senior Vice President, Customer
Service effective February 1, 2001. Doug will report to Rob Giguere,
Executive Vice President Operations.

Located in Calgary, Doug will provide overall leadership to the
company’s Airports, In-Flight Service, Call Centre and Customer
Service Support functions as well as establishing a visible presence
within the Western Canada community.

- Peter Donolo, joins Air Canada in April 2001, as Senior Vice
President Corporate Affairs & Government Relations reporting to
Calin Rovinescu, Executive Vice President Corporate Development &
Strategy.

Peter comes to Air Canada with extensive government and strategic
communications related experience having most recently held the
position of Canada’s Consul General to Milan since June 1999 and
prior to that posting occupied the position of Director of
Communications for the Prime Minister of Canada from 1991 to 1999.
He has also held numerous senior communications roles within the
community such as Communications Advisor to the Mayor of Toronto and
Senior Writer, Communique Ltd.

Robert A. Milton
President & C.E.O.
January 30, 2001

Green passports also go to Military. My partner has one, but rarely uses it - it makes you stick out like a sore thumb. Better to use the basic blue one when travelling abroad.