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Pest Management Advisory Council: Membership list and biographies

Members

Regular members

Charest, Pierre PhD (Chair)

An executive in the federal public service for 20 years, Pierre Charest was responsible for science and regulatory programs in the areas of agriculture, forestry and health. Notably, he was Associate Vice President at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Director General of Science Policy, Director General of Biologics and Genetic Therapies and Director General of Biotechnology at Health Canada. Dr. Charest started his career with the Canadian Forest Service as a researcher in the area of plant genetic engineering where he published 76 scientific papers and presented 85 scientific communications.

Dr. Charest has a Bachelor of Science Agriculture in Agronomy and a Master of Science in Plant Pathology from Laval University. He completed his PhD in Plant Biotechnology at Carleton University.

Bartley, Greg

Director, Crop Protection & Crop Quality, Pulse Canada

Greg Bartley plays a leadership role in developing and implementing strategic plans to ensure the Canada’s pulse industry benefits from predictable access to crop protection products through utilizing the minor use registration process, building a regulatory environment that fosters innovation, and advocating for the adoption of import tolerances and Maximum Residue Limits in the global market place. He also has a leadership role in liaising with the research community, governments, crop protection companies and key industry stakeholders to advance the interests and vision of the Canadian pulse industry. Mr. Bartley has a strong understanding of small plot and on-farm agriculture research methods, specializing in pulse and soybean agronomy research.

Mr. Bartley is a Certified Crop Advisor and Professional Agrologist in Manitoba, and has a Master of Science in Plant Science from the University of Manitoba.

Black Moher, Paleah PhD

Paleah Black Moher is a toxicologist with in-depth, applied experience in the field of environmental and human health. She is currently the Principal at Ecotox Consulting, providing expertise in human health risk assessments, primarily on projects that fall under provincial and/or federal Environmental Assessment Acts. Her projects are often multidisciplinary and involve multiple stakeholders, engaging her skills in science communication and knowledge translation. Project stakeholders typically include federal, provincial, and municipal governments, non-government organizations, health authorities, and Indigenous groups. She lectures at universities and colleges on toxicology and risk assessment.

Dr. Moher helped develop the first national estimate of Canadians’ exposures to pesticides as the Environmental Exposures Lead at CAREX Canada. Her past work as a Public Health Specialist for the Artisanal Gold Council included work on assessing and reducing mercury exposures.

Dr. Moher holds a PhD in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology from the University of Ottawa, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gender, Work, and Health (University of Victoria).

Berrigan, Brodie

As Director of Government Relations and Farm Policy at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Mr. Berrigan plays a critical role in coordinating the CFA’s policy activities and enacting a strategic approach to the CFA’s government relations activities, while leading on key files like business risk management, labour, and trade and transportation.

Prior to joining the CFA, Mr. Berrigan worked for the Government of Canada for many years in several departments, including Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Privy Council Office, and Employment and Social Development Canada.

Mr. Berrigan holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from the University of Ottawa and has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University.

Coombs, Shannon

President of the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association

The Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association (CCSPA) is a national trade association representing the consumer, industrial and institutional specialty products industry (40 companies across Canada). This association has had representation on the Council since 1998, with Shannon Coombs first appointed to Council in 2007. As president of CCSPA she works to enhance the ability of member companies to conduct business effectively by fostering industry and government cooperation, advocating for fair and science-based policies and laws, promoting industry-wide environmental sustainability initiatives, and providing a national voice for stakeholders.

Ms. Coombs holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours - Political Science) from Carleton University.

Grewal, Toni

British Columbia Teachers’ Federation

Currently Toni Grewal is an occupational health and safety consultant and a teacher in Burnaby, British Columbia. Ms. Grewal served as a member of the Burnaby Teachers’ Association Health and Safety Committee from 2013 to 2018. The committee reviews health and safety monthly reports of all Burnaby school sites and follows up with the Joint District Committee to ensure work orders are resolved within a reasonable time.

Ms. Grewal was also a BCTF Health and Safety Workshop Facilitator from 2014 to 2018. Her role involved delivering occupational health and safety workshops to teachers and staff across British Columbia. From 2015 to 2018, she was a member of the BCTF Health and Safety Advisory Committee, whose function is to support health and safety risk prevention in schools.

Ms. Grewal was employed as Health and Safety Officer for the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) from 2018 to 2023. During the recent pandemic she worked with stakeholders in education partners in the K to 12 public sector to ensure health, safety, and wellness of public-school teachers. She was responsible for the health and safety risk prevention program that supports teachers in K to 12 public education. In this role, she provided training, resources and support to members and staff.

Ms. Grewal served on the British Columbia Federation of Labour Health and Safety Standing Committee from 2016 to 2023. She served on the national Health and Safety Advisory Committee of the Canadian Labour Congress from 2021 to 2023.

Ms. Grewal holds a Master of Education from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia.

Gue, Lisa

National Policy Manager, David Suzuki Foundation

Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has worked to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us. The Foundation uses science and education to promote solutions that conserve nature and help achieve sustainability within a generation. Lisa Gue has worked with non-government organizations and government on energy and environmental issues in Canada and internationally.

Originally from Alberta Ms. Gue has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary and a Master in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University.

Innes, Brian

Executive Director, Soy Canada

Mr. Innes joined Soy Canada in 2021. In his role as executive director, he leads the organization’s efforts to create value through collaboration in the areas of industry leadership, market access, market development as well as coordinating research and innovation.

Prior to joining Soy Canada, he led the Canola Council’s public affairs activities including communications, government relations, market access and trade policy. During his time at the Council, he spearheaded the expansion of the Keep it Clean program to include multiple commodities, led the development of the industry’s market access strategy and efforts to resolve market access issues, and was active in helping the agri-food sector achieve benefits from free trade negotiations through the Canadian Agri-food Trade Alliance.

Brian Innes holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Guelph and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan.

Kerr, Jeremy PhD

Chair of Department of Biology, University of Ottawa

Dr. Jeremy Kerr holds the University Research Chair in Macroecology and Conservation and is Full Professor and Chair of Biology at University of Ottawa. His primary research seeks to discover how the environmental change affects biodiversity. This work has led to discoveries with broad impact, most recently around how and why climate change has affected species survival, with several publications in Science and elsewhere.

Dr. Kerr is strongly engaged in public science and policy work in areas related to his research. He is Past-President of the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, and an alumnus of the Global Young Academy. He has been elected to Fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honour Society. He is an executive member of Council for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, appointed by Federal Cabinet, and is Chair of its Committee on Discovery Research.

He has appeared as an expert witness before Standing Committees in the House of Commons on biodiversity and conservation issues (2019) and on the strengths and weaknesses of scientific research activities in Canada (2022). Dr. Kerr also presented his research to Parliamentarians, staff, and research agencies in Parliament as part of the Royal Society of Canada-sponsored speaker series (2017).

Langille, Melanie

President and CEO, New Brunswick Lung Association

Melanie Langille is an environmental scientist with a background in human health risk assessment and contaminated site assessment with a specialization in vapour intrusion assessment. She began her tenure with the New Brunswick Lung Association as the Director of Program Development (environmental health) and brought to life a long-term vision for the organization of the Foundation for Resilient Health. Her previous experience in environmental and human health risk assessment, environmental impact assessment, and contaminated sites management gives her a unique perspective on the importance of the environmental and social determinants of health.

Ms. Langille has a Bachelor of Science (Biology) from University of New Brunswick, and a Master of Environmental Science (University of Toronto).

Liber, Karsten PhD

Executive Director of the School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) at the University of Saskatchewan

Karsten Liber has been active in pesticide research and toxicology since 1984 and has been a member of PMAC since 2004. Dr. Liber built the USask Toxicology Centre to become Canada’s largest and most renowned university-based environmental toxicology research and training centre, and later led the creation of the USask Water Research Group, which in 2011 evolved into the Global Institute for Water Security.

From a research perspective, Dr. Liber is a widely recognized aquatic ecotoxicologist who is actively in research related to pesticide use in agriculture (largely ecotoxicology), metal accumulation in aquatic life (e.g., selenium) and food crops (e.g., cadmium), and the environmental impact of the mining and metals industry, specifically with respect to metal bioavailability, speciation and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems.

Dr. Liber has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Ecology, and obtained his PhD (Distinction) Aquatic Ecotoxicology at the University of Guelph.

Petelle, Pierre

President and CEO of CropLife Canada

CropLife Canada is the trade association representing manufacturers, developers and distributors of pest control products for use in agriculture, urban and public health settings in Canada. This association has had representation on the Council since 1998, with Pierre Petelle serving on PMAC since 2013.

Mr. Petelle has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Carleton University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Agriculture – Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph where he was the recipient of the University of Guelph's Gary Putnam Memorial Scholarship for high standing in courses related to pesticides and alternative controls.

Shinners-Carnelley, Tracy, PhD

Dr. Tracy Shinners-Carnelley is Vice President, Research, Quality & Sustainability at Peak of the Market Ltd. She leads the research program at Peak, which is focused on variety evaluation, improved pest management, and optimization of agronomic practices for fresh market potatoes. Tracy also spends time working with growers in their fields and packing houses, supporting activities in these same areas. She has a passion for working closely with the industry on challenging crop protection and production issues, both provincially and nationally. Tracy is the current Chairperson of the Potato Sustainability Alliance, and Vice Chairperson of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada Crop Protection Advisory Group.

Tracy obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Pest Management) from Dalhousie University and a PhD from the University of Alberta (Plant Science). In 2020 she was appointed as an Adjunct Professor (Faculty of Graduate Studies) Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University.

Valcke, Mathieu

Specialized Scientific Advisor and Institutional Researcher, Public Health Institute of Quebec

Mathieu Valcke has been with Quebec’s public health institute since 2004 and is currently a scientific advisor specializing in toxicology. His current research focuses on improving approaches to human health risk assessment using modeling tools and biomonitoring data about human exposure to environmental contaminants.

Dr. Valcke has a Bachelor of Biochemistry and a Master of Environment from the University of Sherbrooke, and a PhD in Public Health with a specialization in Toxicological Risk Analysis from the University of Montreal, where he is also a Clinical Assistant Professor.

Alternate members

Alkayed, Maria

Maria Alkayed has been working on diverse projects and positions related to sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and research since 2016. As the manager of Environmental Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Maria takes a leadership role in providing analysis on environmental, research, food safety, public trust, energy, and animal care issues; and engaging with different stakeholders in the agricultural sector on issues at the intersection of agriculture, climate change, and sustainability.

Maria Alkayed holds a Master of Science degree in Conservation and Management of Natural Resources, from the Lebanese University, with valid WES equivalence in Canada.

Stephanie Golden

Stephanie Golden is the Vice President of Policy at the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association, with a focus on registered products. She specializes in supporting companies in regulated environments, from pre-market to post-market compliance, and partnering with federal and provincial governments in the development and refinement of regulatory frameworks impacting registered products.

Stephanie brings over 15 years experience providing advisory, issues-management and implementation services to a variety of stakeholders, including businesses, regulators and political decision makers. She has previously worked in both the Federal Minister of Health and Environment’s Office and Health Canada’s Canadian Institutes of Health Research in the drug safety effectiveness and strategy for patient-oriented research portfolios.

Hamelin, Geneviève PhD

Dr. Geneviève Hamelin, holds a Master’s degree in environmental health and occupational health and a doctorate in public health – environmental toxicology option, from the University of Montreal.

She has been with the Public Health Institute of Quebec (PHIQ) since May 2023. As a Specialized Scientific Advisor, Dr. Hamelin is part of PHIQ along with Dr. Mathieu Valcke. Dr. Hamelin specializes in toxicological and radiological risks. Her team provides expert advice to support public health authorities in Québec in relation to human health risk assessment and risk management.

Prior to PHIQ, Dr. Hamelin had 14 years of experience in the field of public health where she worked on numerous environmental health projects during her employment with the Public Health Department in Montreal.

Northey, Greg

Greg Northey is the Vice President, Corporate Affairs for Pulse Canada. Before joining Pulse Canada in 2014, Greg was the Director of Environmental Policy with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, a position he began in 2008. Prior to this, Greg worked with United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Vienna and with the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union in Brussels.

Greg is focused on resolving issues and identifying opportunities for the pulse sector in the areas of market access, trade, sustainability and transportation.

Stewart, Terri

Terri Stewart is the Executive Director, Chemistry at CropLife Canada. In this role, Terri helps lead one of the two main business lines at CropLife Canada and is responsible for science and regulatory priorities related to pesticides. CropLife is a trade association representing developers, manufacturers and distributors of plant science innovations for use in agriculture, urban and public health settings.

Prior to joining CropLife Canada in 2019, Terri worked for 16 years at the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, a branch of Health Canada, in its pre-market and post-market registration programs (2003-2018) and later as the lead of the agricultural stakeholder outreach group (2018-2019).

Terri holds a B.Sc. in Biology from University of Cape Breton and an M.Sc. in Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph.

Ex-officio members

Co-chairs from Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products (SAC-PCP)

The current biographies of the two Co-chairs, Dr. Valérie Langlois and Dr. Eric Liberda, are posted on the membership webpage for SAC-PCP.

Provincial/Territorial Co-chair from Federal/Provincial/Territorial Committee on Pest Management and Pesticides (CPMP)

The biography of the provincial/territorial co-chair is not published in accordance with the Terms of Reference for PMAC and for FPT-CPMP.

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