Sun Life highlighted today at its annual meeting of shareholders and policyholders the importance of its international operations to Sun Life Financial and the contribution international competitiveness can make to Canada’s future prosperity.

Speaking to attendees at the meeting in Toronto, CEO Donald Stewart said, “International competitiveness is one of the driving forces behind business today. Through a combination of strategy, discipline and focus Sun Life is building a Canadian-based international champion.”

Noting that Canada is a great country from which to build a global business platform, Stewart said the Canadian government can contribute to an international champions strategy. The strategy would include increasing Canada’s focus on service sectors, a leadership role in the WTO negotiations, building broader strategic relations with India and China, and supporting a diverse domestic financial services market.

In 2005, Sun Life reported a record operating profit of more than $1.9 billion, up 11.7% from 2004. Earnings per share rose 11.3%.