Mandate and members

Who are the current federal members of the Advisory Board?

• François Rolland, Chair

  The Honourable François Rolland was appointed a justice of the Superior Court of Québec in 1996 and chief justice of the Superior Court of Québec in 2004. He held this position until he retired in 2015.

  Following his retirement, the Government of Quebec appointed Mr. Rolland as director of the Voluntary Reimbursement Program, a position he held until the program ended in November 2017. He now leads private mediation sessions and inquiries, and serves as an arbitrator in commercial matters, including large multi-jurisdictional class action cases.

  Mr. Rolland, Advocatus Emeritus, is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a founder and member of the Institut québécois de réforme du droit et de la justice since 2018 and its vice president since 2024, a member of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), a founding member and former chair of the CBA’s Judges Section, and a past president of the CBA’s Quebec Branch and of the Young Bar of Montreal. Mr. Rolland was awarded the Louis St-Laurent Award of Excellence and the Centennial Medal for his exceptional contribution to the CBA.

  Mr. Rolland is also a member of the International Insolvency Institute and has served as the commissioner of ethics for the Barreau du Québec. He was a member of the board of directors for the Centre d’accès à l’information juridique from 2015 to 2021, was its vice president from 2017 to 2019, and was chair of the board of directors for Éducaloi from 2017 to 2023. He also taught ethics at the National Judicial Institute for 10 years.

  The Honourable François Rolland graduated from the Université de Montréal in 1974 and was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1975. Before his appointment as a judge, he was a partner at the law firm Fasken Martineau, practising mainly in the field of commercial and civil litigation.

  In 2019, he joined Langlois Lawyers as senior counsel, mediator and arbitrator.

• Melissa Blake

  Melissa Blake was elected to six consecutive terms, beginning in 1998, for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. She was first elected as mayor in October 2004 and concluded her final term in 2017.

  Being the top elected official for one of Canada's largest municipalities brought with it tremendous challenges and opportunities. Wood Buffalo is the heart of Canada's energy industry and is often subject to global scrutiny. When the 2016 Horse River Wildfire forced the evacuation of 88,000 people, Mayor Blake’s strength and dedication earned the hearts and minds of Albertans, Canadians and the world. In Wood Buffalo, she worked hard to get her citizens "home".

  Ms. Blake served on numerous committees in addition to her regular council duties, including those related to development, protective services, community services and affordable housing, as well as two provincial associations. She also chaired the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, and is currently serving on the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation Board of Directors.

  Ms. Blake brought a range of experience from her corporate career to elected service, including public affairs, materials and services, and human resources. She holds a Bachelor of Administration degree from Athabasca University and has received numerous awards for her work.

  She resides in Fort McMurray, Alberta, with her husband and two sons.

• Sarabjit (Sabi) Marwah

  The Honourable Sarabjit (Sabi) Marwah is a former senator and business leader with decades of experience in the Canadian banking industry.

  Mr. Marwah was appointed to the Senate in 2016 and served until 2023. During his tenure, he notably served as the chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

  Prior to his appointment, Mr. Marwah was the vice chairman and chief operating officer of Scotiabank. He retired from that organization in 2014 after 35 years of service, during which he held several other senior positions, such as chief financial officer and chief administrative officer.

  Mr. Marwah is currently a member of the boards of directors for Cineplex and ONEX, and previously served on the board of directors for George Weston Limited, TELUS and several not-for-profit organizations. He also previously chaired the board of trustees of the Hospital for Sick Children and the board of directors of the Humber River Regional Hospital. He was also a member of the 2008 and 2009 United Way campaign cabinets.

  Mr. Marwah holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Calcutta, a master’s degree in economics from the Delhi School of Economics and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of California. He also received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Who are the current provincial or territorial members of the Advisory Board?

Alberta

• Both positions are currently vacant

British Columbia

• Carol Ann Lee

  Carol Lee is a distinguished business leader, community builder, and philanthropist.

  As chair and co-founder of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, Ms. Lee has been a driving force behind the revival of this iconic neighbourhood, which has seen the Downtown Eastside strengthened through transformative initiatives across housing, cultural preservation, and community engagement. Thanks to her leadership, Bob & Michael’s Place and the May Wah Hotel provide affordable, dignified homes for nearly 400 residents and seniors, while the Foundation’s signature events, including Light Up Chinatown!, drive economic vitality in the neighbourhood and welcome over 25,000 visitors each year. She is also the visionary behind the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, the first permanent cultural hub of its kind in Canada, connecting generations through storytelling and honouring the enormous contributions Chinese Canadians have made to Canadian society.

  Ms. Lee is also an entrepreneur who has owned a skin care business for 13 years. She is currently Chair of UBC Properties Trust, serves on several boards, including for the BC Achievement Foundation, and is an honorary patron of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society. She has also served on the UBC Sauder School of Business’s Faculty Advisory Board for 20 years and helped fund the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre to honour her family’s legacy.

  Ms. Lee has been widely recognized for her achievements: she is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia, and has received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a UBC Alumni Achievement Award, and Business in Vancouver’s Influential Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2025, she topped Vancouver Magazine’s “Power 50,” marking her 10th consecutive year on the list and, in 2026, she was inducted into the Power 50 Hall of Fame. She holds a master’s degree from Harvard Business School, as well as honorary doctorate degrees from the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

• Joy MacPhail

  Joy MacPhail is a former deputy premier of British Columbia who has extensive leadership experience in public policy, governance, and community service.

  Ms. MacPhail was first elected to represent the constituency of Vancouver-Hastings in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in 1991 and served until 2005. During her tenure, she also served as leader of the Opposition, Government House Leader, and as a minister responsible for various portfolios, including education, labour, finance, treasury board, health, and social services. Early in her career, she worked as a labour economist and negotiator with the BC Federation of Labour and other unions.

  Ms. MacPhail is the Chair of the Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation, and a board member for Face the World Foundation, Covenant House Vancouver, and Arthritis Research Canada. She is the former chair of the Expert Panel on the Future of Housing Supply and Affordability, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., and Adler University. She is also one of the owners of OutTV, the world’s first 2SLGBTQI+ television network.

  Ms. MacPhail is a Member of the Order of Canada, a Member of the Order of British Columbia, and the recipient of honorary doctorates from the University of Western Ontario and Simon Fraser University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario and a diploma in trade union studies and industrial relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Manitoba

• Bram Strain

  Bramwell (Bram) Strain is a Manitoba-based leader with extensive experience in public administration and economic development.

  Mr. Strain has been serving as president and chief executive officer of the Business Council of Manitoba since 2020. Prior to his current role, Mr. Strain held senior positions across all three levels of government, including serving as city manager in Lethbridge, Alberta; deputy minister of Infrastructure and Education, Training and Immigration for the Manitoba government; and assistant deputy minister for Western Economic Diversification for the federal government.

  In 2023, he was appointed to the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council, where he serves on the Trade Committee and chairs the Clean Economy Committee.

  Mr. Strain also contributes his expertise to several boards, including CentrePort Canada, Assiniboine Park Conservancy, and the Winnipeg Football Club.

  Raised in Elm Creek, Manitoba, he holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brandon University. In 2026, he also received an Honorary Diploma in Business Administration from Assiniboine College in recognition of his outstanding leadership in economic development and public service in the province.

• Connie Walker

  Connie Walker is a community builder who has dedicated her career to making Winnipeg a strong and supportive city for everyone.

  Ms. Walker joined United Way Winnipeg in 2008 as vice-president of Community Investment and was appointed president and CEO in 2014, a role she held until 2023, as well as on an interim basis in 2025. She was the driving force behind the organization’s commitment to a network of 125 front-line agencies and programs, while also advancing its focus on social innovation.

  Ms. Walker is currently vice-president of Strategy for Leaps and Bounds Consulting, as well as leader-in-residence at the University of Manitoba’s James W. Burns Leadership Institute. She began her diverse professional journey as a public health nurse in Winnipeg’s lowest-income neighbourhoods, which ignited her determination to build a stronger, more equitable community. She has also led strategic planning and initiatives, as well as operation review audits, for the City of Winnipeg.

  Ms. Walker is a recipient of the Order of Manitoba and the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her outstanding contributions to the community. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing and an MBA from the University of Manitoba, as well as an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Winnipeg.

New Brunswick

• Both positions are currently vacant

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Susan Sullivan

  Susan Sullivan is a respected former Newfoundland and Labrador Cabinet minister, as well as an educator, senior executive, and municipal leader with extensive experience in governance, public policy, strategic leadership, and stakeholder relations.

  She was elected to the House of Assembly for Grand Falls–Windsor–Buchans in 2007 and served until 2015. During her tenure, she held a number of senior committee roles and was a minister responsible for a range of portfolios, including health and community services, education and early childhood development, innovation, trade and rural development, as well as human resources, labour, and employment, among others. Prior to entering provincial politics, Ms. Sullivan had a 30-year career in teaching, during which she held leadership roles in French language instruction and curriculum delivery. She also served as the deputy mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor.

  Ms. Sullivan is currently the Chair of the Gander International Airport Authority’s Board of Directors, after serving as a board member for several years and chairing its governance committee.

  Ms. Sullivan received a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in French, and a Bachelor of Education degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She received her Master of Education degree from Mount St. Vincent University and a French immersion diploma from Université Laval.

• James Igloliorte

  James Igloliorte is a retired Provincial Court Judge and lifelong resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.

  Before beginning his legal career, he taught on the province’s west coast for eight years. Appointed a Lay Magistrate in 1980, he spent most of his career in Happy Valley-Goose Bay as a circuit judge, serving until his retirement from the bench in 2004.

  Mr. Igloliorte is Chair of the Inquiry Respecting the Treatment, Experiences and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System. He previously served as Commissioner of the Public Inquiry Respecting Ground Search and Rescue for Lost and Missing Persons, Labrador Director with the Innu Healing Foundation, and a Commissioner of the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada. He also worked as Newfoundland and Labrador’s Child and Youth Advocate and was Commissioner of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission in Nunavut. In addition, he was Director of the McLean Day School Settlement Corporation and acted as a reconciliation officer of the Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreement.

  Mr. Igloliorte is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University, as well as a law degree from Dalhousie University. He and his wife, Linda Carter, live in St. John’s and have four children and five grandchildren.

Northwest Territories

• Both positions are currently vacant

Nova Scotia

• James Cowan

  The Honourable James Cowan is a former senator with a distinguished legal career, a staunch defender of human rights and a model of community service.

  Mr. Cowan was appointed to the Senate in 2005 and served until 2017. During his tenure as senator, he served as Opposition whip, leader of the Opposition and leader of the Senate Liberal Caucus. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, he was a driving force behind the passage of the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act, which prevents the misuse of information derived from genetic testing. He also focused attention on medical assistance in dying and the criminal justice system’s approach to persons suffering from mental illness.

  Mr. Cowan was appointed King’s Counsel and practised with the Halifax law firm now known as Stewart McKelvey for over five decades before retiring in 2019. A long‑serving member and past chair of the Board of Governors of Dalhousie University, he has led numerous civic, health and educational groups, including as past chair of Dying with Dignity Canada. He has also been involved as a board director or advisor to many businesses and charitable organizations over the years.

  Mr. Cowan, a Member of the Order of Canada, graduated in Arts and Law from Dalhousie University and received a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics. He also holds an honorary Doctor of Laws from Dalhousie University.

• Kim West

  Kim West is an executive and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience working in private companies and not-for-profit organizations in energy, insurance, health, education, and public policy.

  Ms. West is the president of Royer Thompson, an executive recruitment advisory firm that she acquired in 2017. Prior to this role, she held several senior positions with NATIONAL Public Relations for five years, including as partner and chief client officer. She also worked for over 20 years as a co-owner of a communications advisory firm with offices in Halifax, Saint John, and St. John’s.

  Ms. West is a former chair and long-serving member of the Medavie Inc. Board of Directors, as well as past chair of the Medavie Foundation. She is a member of the board of directors of Eastward Energy and a former board director of CAA Maritimes, the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, the Institute for Research in Public Policy, and the IWK Health Centre. She is also past chair of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Canadian Public Relations Society-NS Chapter, and is a former vice-chair of the St. Francis Xavier University Board of Governors.

  Ms. West holds an Honours Political Science degree from St. Francis Xavier University and is an accredited board director. She is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, a Fellow of the Canadian Public Relations Society, and a former honorary consul for Sweden.

Nunavut

• Both positions are currently vacant

Ontario

• Wisdom Tettey

  Wisdom Tettey is a professor and academic leader with interdisciplinary research interests and expertise in media, politics, representation, identity, and inclusive citizenship, with a particular focus on Africa.

  Mr. Tettey has been serving as Carleton University’s president and vice-chancellor since January 2025. He joined Carleton from the University of Toronto, where he served as vice-president and was principal of the Scarborough campus between 2018 and 2024. He was previously the dean of the University of British Columbia’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Sciences and of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, and the interim dean of the Faculty of Communication and Culture at the University of Calgary.

  Since 2020, Mr. Tettey has convened the National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities, the first of which resulted in the creation of the Scarborough Charter to combat anti-Black racism and foster Black inclusion in Canadian higher education. He also chairs the board of the charter’s Inter-Institutional Forum, representing over 60 Canadian universities and colleges. Internationally, Mr. Tettey has served as a consultant and adviser to various global organizations, including the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the Africa Capacity Building Foundation, and the International Association of Universities. He is also an elected fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, serves on the advisory and editorial boards of various academic publications, and has been a member of the boards for organizations such as the Toronto PanAm Sports Centre and CivicAction.

  Mr. Tettey is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and he holds a Ph.D. in political science from Queen’s University, a Master of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia, and a graduate diploma (communication studies) and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ghana.

• Deborah Whale

  Deborah Whale is Vice-President and co-owner/operator of Clovermead Farms Inc., a commercial dairy, crop production and biogas business in Wellington County, Ontario.

  Ms. Whale has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, the Poultry Industry Council, Farm Credit Canada, the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission, the Grand River Agricultural Society, the Independent Electricity System Operator, and the Skyline Clean Energy Fund. In addition to her work in agriculture, she spent several years as the Ontario President of Canadian Parents for French, helping to establish French Immersion programs throughout the province.

  She has also volunteered in the health care sector. She served on the Advisory Board for VON Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, was a member of the Waterloo-Wellington Local Health Integration Network Community Council, and was a founding member and Chair of the Seniors Centre for Excellence in Mapleton, Minto and North Wellington.

  In recognition of her leadership within the agricultural sector, Ms. Whale has received numerous honours, including an Honorary Professional Agrologist designation from the Ontario Institute of Agrology, induction into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Guelph. A graduate of Queen’s University, she holds a degree in political science.

Prince Edward Island

• Both positions are currently vacant

Quebec

• Christina Smith

  Christina Smith is an accomplished executive leader with extensive experience in municipal governance, federal public service, and multinational corporate affairs.

  Ms. Smith served as mayor of Westmount from 2017 to 2025, where she provided strategic leadership in governance, infrastructure investment, fiscal stewardship, public accountability, and organizational performance. Prior to her election as mayor, she served as interim mayor in 2017, as well as city councillor from 2013 to 2017.

  Within the Agglomeration of Montreal, Ms. Smith held senior governance roles, including vice-president of the Public Security Commission, and served on the Finance and Administration and Economic Development commissions. Her expertise in governance and public policy was also demonstrated during her eight-year tenure at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, where she led government and industry relations, public policy, communications, and sustainability initiatives across Canada. Earlier in her career, from 1997 to 2003, she served as a legislative assistant and policy advisor for the federal minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as a communications and legislative assistant to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and to a member of Parliament.

  Recognized for her dedication to community and leadership, Ms. Smith currently serves on the boards of the Old Brewery Mission and the Miss Edgar’s & Miss Cramp’s School Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from Bishop’s University.

• Denis Soulières

  Dr. Denis Soulières is a distinguished hematologist and medical oncologist with a multifaceted career spanning clinical practice, research, and leadership roles.

  A full professor at Université de Montréal, he has served as a physician at the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal since 1998, where he also held key roles as director of the Head and Neck Tumor Site, the Hemoglobinopathy Clinic, and the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory-Hematology section. A recognized expert in several specialized fields, Dr. Soulières has made significant contributions to targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and pharmacogenomics.

  The author of over 275 peer-reviewed publications, he has held leadership roles on international data safety monitoring boards, as well as with the Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec. He also previously served as a board member of the Collège des médecins du Québec, the Association des médecins hématologues et oncologues du Québec, the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, and the Fédération médicale étudiante du Québec. He also served as a scientific and medical spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society.

  Dr. Soulières is a seasoned science communicator, engaging with professionals, patients, and the public through conferences, media appearances, op-eds and contributions to scientific journals. A dedicated mentor and advocate for innovation, he integrates diagnostic tools and clinical endpoints to enhance research outcomes, ensuring quality and relevance in clinical and public policy initiatives.

Saskatchewan

• Both positions are currently vacant

Yukon

• Both positions are currently vacant