A Board that Truly Represents the West
08-Jul-2010CALGARY – July 8, 2010. The Canada West Foundation has the West covered, appointing seven new board members that further strengthen an already robust board. Chaired by Jim Dinning, this is a board that truly represents uniquely western regional issues and its people.
“The Canada West Foundation is fortunate to have exceptional director engagement,” says Chair, Jim Dinning. “Our board is made up of men and women who care deeply about Canada and each brings superior knowledge and experience from a cross-section of western Canadian perspectives, supporting the Foundation’s focus on issues relevant to the West.”
The Canada West Foundation welcomes Theresa Arsenault, Ida Goodreau, Tom Huffaker, Charles Jago, Oryssia Lennie, Eric Stefanson, and Patricia Youzwa.
Theresa Arsenault has a well established business and estate law practice and is highly regarded for her expertise with First Nations transactions and estate planning. She has extensive experience advising individuals and companies in these areas.
Ida Goodreau is former President and Chief Executive Officer of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), one of Canada's largest public health organizations. Goodreau has extensive experience in leading organizational change in a number of executive positions for companies in Canada and abroad. She is currently Chair of the Western Canadian Health CEO Forum, and sits on the board of a number of organizations including the Vancouver Board of Trade, Terasen Inc., and Terasen Gas Inc.
Tom Huffaker is Vice President for Policy and Environment at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). Huffaker leads in the area of environmental issues, including climate change, as well as fiscal policy, aboriginal affairs and stewardship. He is former U.S. Consul General in Calgary with responsibility for Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
Dr. Charles Jago currently serves on the Northern Health Board. He was president of the University of Northern BC from 1995 to 2006. Jago has been actively involved in many northern economic development initiatives and championed the development of educational partnerships and programs for First Nations groups in northern B.C. He has received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Order of Canada.
Oryssia Lennie is former Deputy Minister of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) where her role promoted diversification of the western Canadian economy and advancing the interests of the West in national economic policy. Prior to serving as Deputy Minister for WD she worked for the Alberta government for 26 years and served as Deputy Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs. Lennie has had extensive involvement in constitutional and aboriginal negotiations, and intergovernmental negotiations on social economic international trade and internal trade policy. She was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Gold Medal for Excellence in Public Administration in 2002.
Eric Stefanson is a chartered accountant and former politician from Manitoba, serving on both Winnipeg city council and in the Manitoba government. Stefanson served as Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Minister of Finance and Chair of Treasury Board and Minister of Health. He was one of the most powerful ministers in Gary Filmon's cabinet. He presided over a series of balanced budgets, achieved at the cost of considerable cuts in public funding for various programs. Stefanson is regional managing partner of BDO Dunwoody, and sits on the board of directors for Via Rail Canada.
Patricia Youzwa is the former President and CEO of SaskPower. Youzwa continues as an advisor to the SaskPower board and as a special advisor on energy matters to the Premier of Saskatchewan and Minister Responsible for SaskPower. Prior to joining SaskPower she served as Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines for the Government of Saskatchewan. In addition to the Canada West Foundation she is director of the Conference Board of Canada. Pat brings an impressive energy background and has participated on the Canada Alberta ecoEnergy Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and the CCS roundtable for the Canada-US clean energy dialogue.
Canada West Foundation is the only think tank dedicated to being the objective, nonpartisan voice for issues of vital concern to western Canadians. For 40 years, our research and commentary, the Foundation has contributed to better government decisions and a stronger Canadian economy.
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For a more information, including full board list and bios, visit www.cwf.ca.
Communications Contact:
Grace Kucey
Communication Officer
Canada West Foundation
Contact: 403-700-9535
communication@cwf.ca