COW - SOCI Member Biographies; Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology - June 10, 2021
Robert Black, CSG, Ontario
Donna Dasko, ISG, Ontario
Stan Kutcher, ISG, Nova Scotia
Marie-Françoise Mégie, ISG, Quebec – Rougemont
Ratna Omidvar, ISG, Ontario
Linda Frum, CPC, Ontario
Patricia Bovey, PSG, Manitoba
Josée Forest-Niesing, ISG, Ontario
Fabian Manning, C, Newfoundland & Labrador
Rosemary Moodie, ISG, Ontario
Chantal Petitclerc, ISG, Quebec - Grandville
Rose-May Poirier, C, New Brunswick – Saint-Louis-de-Kent
Robert Black, CSG, Ontario, Appointed: February 2018
Topics of Interest
- Agriculture
- Rural Areas
- Mental Health
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Black is passionate about agriculture and farming and will often comment on these topics during debates and discussions in the Senate. Recently, he has advocated for workers, particularly temporary foreign workers, in these sectors and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these industries. Senator Black has also raised some points pertaining to mental health initiatives in Canada but mainly in rural areas. He has also shown his support in fighting racism that affects black and Indigenous Canadians. Senator also uses his experience to discuss issues faced in rural communities.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Black often retweets about agricultural issues such as climate change’s impacts on agriculture, and agricultural news in Canada. He recently tweeted support for indigenous communities in response to the discovery of a mass grave in Kamloops.
Biography
Education and Career
- Close involvement in 4-H, a youth development project, and other programs such as Junior Farmers and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP).
- Past president of the Canadian 4-H Council and has been involved in 4-H for 45 years.
- Previously served as Ward 5 representative on Wellington County Council.
- He has also been Manager of the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund, and President of the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association and the Wellington County Historical Society.
- Rob worked with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs for 15 years. He then spent a short time with the Ontario Soybean Growers before accepting the job of his dreams: Executive Director of The Centre for Rural Leadership, which morphed in to the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI).
- In 2012, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Patricia Bovey, Progressive Senate Group, Manitoba, Appointed November 2016
Topics of Interest
- Arts Initiatives
- Marginalized Communities
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Bovey has recently made a statement in regards to volunteer presiding officers of Canadian citizenship ceremonies stating the importance of these ceremonies and questioning why volunteer presiding officers do not receive an honorarium. She has stated that “although presiding officers do not receive an honorarium, I’m pleased First Nations elders are paid for performing an opening prayer.” Typically, Senator Bovey comments on Canada’s art scene and touches on issues affecting Canada’s artists such as paying tribute to Canada’s black artists and advocating for Canadian artists with disabilities.
She has intervened to support the search for additional remains of Indigenous children following the discovery at Kamloops Indian Residential School, as well as for the financial support for Indigenous cultural organizations.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Bovey uses twitter to communicate initiatives pertaining to Canadian art and literature.
She has no recent communications concerning Bill C-8 or indigenous issues.
Biography
Education & Career
- Winnipeg based gallery director and curator, art historian, writer, professor and for many years, a management consultant in the arts and not-for-profit sector.
- Former director of Winnipeg Art Gallery (1999-2004).
- Founder of Buhler Gallery at St Boniface Hospital.
- Writes and lectures on Western Canadian art.
- Senator Bovey has been consulting since 2005, which has focused on governance, policy development and strategic and business planning for galleries, museums and multi-disciplinary arts organizations.
Donna Dasko, Independent Senators Group, Ontario, Appointed: June 2018
Topics of Interest
- Women in Politics
- Women’s Issues
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Dasko often calls for more research and the use of research to make decisions relating to policy. Senator Dasko often discusses issues that affect women.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Dasko mainly uses twitter to communicate about politics, women’s issues, and promotes women in politics.
She has recently tweeted on indigenous issues, in response to the discovery at Kamloops Indian Residential School.
She has made no public comments on Bill C-8.
Biography
Education & Career
- She is a respected national pollster, media commentator, and private sector business leader with considerable public policy experience.
- She holds a Ph.D. and MA from the University of Toronto and a BA (Hons) from the University of Manitoba.
- Was formerly Senior Vice-President of Environics Research Group Ltd.
- As a community volunteer, she served in many roles including President of St. Stephen’s Community House, Director of the United Way of Greater Toronto, Governor of the Canadian Unity Council (devoted to Canadian unity and federalism), Chair of the National CEO Roundtable for the Alzheimer Society, and Advisor to GreenPac (which promotes environmental leadership).
- Passion for the promotion of women in politics.
Josée Forest-Niesing, Independent Senators Group, Ontario, Appointed October 2018
Topics of Interest
- Judicial Issues
- Francophone Issues
- Marginalized Communities
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Forest-Niesing advocates in the Senate for language rights, most recently, she delivered a statement to the Senate about the importance of remembering that both languages hold equal constitutional status. In light of the Senate discussing issues surrounding systemic racism, Senator Forest-Niesing brought up a point regarding policing and its effects on black and Indigenous Canadians as well as urging the government to take action on systemic racism in Canada.
She has made no public comments on Bill C-8.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Forest-Niesing is active on Twitter and recently, with a group of senators, has shared a statement calling for the end of violence and racism surfaced from the Mi’kmaw fisheries dispute. She has also retweeted tweets showing her support for marginalized communities in Canada.
Senator Forest-Niesing has also tweeted support for campaigns to end violence against Indigenous women and for dialogue about indigenous issues in Canada.
Biography
Background
- Franco-Ontarian
- Métis Heritage
Education & Career
- She is a lawyer by profession beginning in family law and expanding to estate law, insurance, civil, education and employment law.
- Has been Superior Court of Justice Small Claims Court Judge.
- Chair of numerous boards of directors, including the Art Gallery of Sudbury, the Carrefour francophone de Sudbury, and the University of Sudbury. She was also appointed to the Ontario Arts Council in January 2018.
Stan Kutcher, Independent Senators Group, Nova Scotia, Appointed: December 2018
Topics of Interest
- Mental Health
- Nova Scotia Issues
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Kutcher often provides input on issues surrounding mental and physical health. He also raises issues of relevance to Nova Scotia such as the Mi’kmaw fisheries dispute.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Kutcher uses twitter to share news and initiatives relating to mental health and physical wellbeing. He has also shared a statement, with other senators, calling for the end of violence and racism resulting from the Mi’kmaw fisheries dispute.
He has also tweeted in support of National Indigenous History Month, and action in response to the discovery at Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Biography
Background
- Post-Second World War Refugee from Ukraine
Education & Career
- Studied history and political science before earning a medical degree from McMaster University.
- Took Sunnybrook Hospital’s adolescent psychiatry division and transforming it into an innovative clinical and research facility. He also pioneered research into the causes of and treatments for youth with major mental illnesses such as bipolar illness, schizophrenia and depression.
- Became Head of the Psychiatry Department at Dalhousie University followed by appointments as Associate Dean for International Heath and the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health.
Fabian Manning, Conservative Party of Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador, Appointed: December 2018
Topics of Interest
- Oceans & Fisheries
- Newfoundland & Labrador Issues
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Manning will often provide input on matters relating to Oceans & Fisheries.
Senator Manning has not made an intervention related to Indigenous issues.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Manning is not currently active on Twitter.
Biography
Background
- Post-Second World War Refugee from Ukraine.
Education & Career
- Served Newfoundland & Labrador at all three levels of government.
- A three term councillor in the town of St. Brides.
- Senator Manning would go on to win three elections to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly as the representative for Placentia – St. Mary’s.
- Senator Manning was subsequently elected as Member of Parliament in the federal constituency of Avalon in the 2006 Federal Election campaign.
- Senator Manning would go on to chair both the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans as well as the Conservative Government’s Atlantic caucus.
Marie-Françoise Mégie, Independent Senators Group, Quebec – Rougemont, Appointed: November 2016
Topics of Interest
- Health
- Systemic Racism
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Mégie provides input to the Senate on health matters. Recently, Senator Mégie has been speaking out against systemic racism within Canada and urging the government to make changes. She has made interventions in support of black Canadians.
She has also intervened to discuss systemic racism in relation to the death of Joyce Echaquan in 2020.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Mégie is currently not active on Twitter.
Senator Mégie uses Facebook to share some highlights of her speeches and interventions in the Senate.
Biography
Background
- Born in Haiti.
Education & Career
- Spent 35 years as a family physician.
- Spent 30 years as university professor at the University of Montreal.
- She helped establish the Maison de soins palliatifs de Laval in 2009, where she served as medical director until December 2016.
Rosemary Moodie, Independent Senators Group, Ontario, Appointed: December 2018
Topics of Interest
- Health
- Marginalized Communities
- Women’s Issues
- Children & Youth
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Moodie shares input on all kinds of situations in the Senate and starts discussions about the impact of policies on marginalized communities. For example, when discussing children and families, Senator Moodie has asked about Indigenous families. Senator Moodie also shared her personal experience with racism and urged the Senate to take action on systemic racism.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Moodie has tweeted in support of National Indigenous History Month, the impact of Bill C-22 on Black and Indigenous Canadians, and anti-racism training in the RCMP.
Biography
Background
- Born in Jamaica
Education & Career
- Paediatrician and neonatologist.
- Graduated from University of West Indies and completed postgraduate training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
- Associate professor at the University of Toronto.
- Research on the social determinants of breastfeeding practice.
- Obtained an MBA from University of Toronto and MPA from Queen’s University.
- She supported organizations and stakeholders in policy development and advocacy to improve health equity and expand quality health care access to the most vulnerable, underserved and marginalized population.
Ratna Omidvar, Independent Senators Group, Ontario, Appointed: April 2016
Topics of Interest
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
- Marginalized Communities
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Omidvar heavily participates in discussions surrounding immigration, refugees and citizenship by engaging in discussions about temporary foreign workers in the agriculture sector and providing a statement for World Refugee Day. She also advocates for marginalized communities in her interventions in the Senate, such as her perspective during the discussion on systemic racism, including racism directed at Indigenous communities.
Recently during debate on C-5 (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation), Senator Omidvar intervened to discuss outreach and education of new immigrants concerning indigenous issues in Canada and how the Department of Heritage and IRCC would work together.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Omidvar has been active on twitter discussing immigration issues such as migrant worker conditions. She also shares many articles and studies relating to immigration, particularly ones about pathways to permanent residency and migrant workers. Senator Omidvar also shows her support for marginalized communities on Twitter.
She has also retweeted support for flying flags at half-mast in response to the discovery at Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Biography
Education & Career
- Came to Canada from Iran in 1981.
Education & Career
- Senator Omidvar is a Councillor on the World Refugee Council, a Director at the Samara Centre for Democracy and Chair Emerita for the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council.
- Previously at Ryerson University, Senator Omidvar was a Distinguished Visiting Professor and founded the Global Diversity Exchange, a think-and-do tank on diversity, migration and inclusion.
- Senator Omidvar was the President of Maytree, where she played a lead role in local, national and international efforts to promote the integration of immigrants.
Chantal Petitclerc, Independent Senators Group, Quebec – Grandville, Appointed: March 2016
Topics of Interest
- Persons with Disabilities
- Sports Initiatives
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Petitclerc has recently been advocating for issues pertaining to persons with disabilities in the Senate and has raised some concerns regarding the bill for medical assistance in dying and the pandemic’s impacts on persons with disabilities. She also brings up issues relating to sport and leisure.
Senator Petitclerc has not made any interventions related to Indigenous issues.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Petitclerc is active on twitter and shares tweets that mainly discuss the rights of persons with disabilities. She also shares a lot of tweets relating to sports initiatives in Canada.
She has also tweeted on issues of racism in Canada.
Biography
Education & Career
- Lost use of legs in an accident at the age of 13.
- Wheelchair athlete.
- Pursued Social Studies at CEGEP de Sainte-Foy.
- Studied history at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
- Gold medals in Paralympic Games, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
- Spokesperson for Défi sportif AlterGo for 17 years.
Linda Frum, Conservative Party of Canada, Ontario, Appointed: August 2009
Topics of Interest
- Human Rights in Iran
- Foreign Funding in Canadian elections
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Frum’s recent interventions in Parliament concern anti-Semitism in Canada, PPE preparedness prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and government ethics.
She has previously introduced the Canadian Jewish Heritage Month Act (Bill S-239) and the Eliminating Foreign Funding in Elections Act (Bill S-239).
Senator Frum has not made any interventions related to Indigenous issues.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Frum is active on Twitter and shares tweets on a variety of topics related to government activities and foreign policy. She frequently tweets or retweets on the topics of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, anti-Semitism, Canada-China security issues. She has also tweeted on the subject of residential schools in Canada.
Biography
Education & Career
- Born in Toronto, Ontario
- Attended Havergal College in Toronto and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec
- Former columnist with the National Post
- Former contributing editor to Macloean’s Magazine
- Gemini-Award winning documentarian
Rose-May Poirier, Conservative Party of Canada, New Brunswick – Saint-Louis-de-Kent, Appointed: February 2010
Topics of Interest
- Indigenous Affairs
- Oceans & Fisheries
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Poirier will often engage in discussions about Oceans & Fisheries.
She has intervened to discuss indigenous reconciliation and rights concerning the Fisheries Act.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Poirier is not active on Twitter.
Biography
Education & Career
- Senator Rose-May Poirier was a successful businessperson, working as an insurance representative for Assomption Vie.
- Was an executive VP Manager for Tupperware Canada.
- Her political career began at the municipality level where she served two terms on the Saint-Louis de Kent town council. In 1999.
- Rose-May Poirier made the jump to provincial politics, representing the people of Rogersville-Kouchibouguac for three terms. As a MLA of the Progressive - Conservative Party, Senator Rose-May Poirier was the 1st women to chair the P.C. caucus. Upon her re-election on June 9, 2003, she was appointed Minister of the Office of Human Resources and 2 years later, in February 2006, she was named Minister of Local Government and Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs.
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