Members of the National Seniors Council

Pamela Williamson, Ph.D., is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2021 and she serves as the Chairperson since July 1, 2024. The Governor in Council reappointed Dr. Williamson for a term of 3 years, ending on April 11, 2027.

Dr. Williamson has a particular interest in elder-specific research. She has extensive experience in community primary healthcare, in the capacity of senior administration within an indigenous primary health care organization. She has successfully championed initiatives and programs in support of the wholistic health and well-being of Indigenous elders, including former residential school students.

She is:

• a First Nations researcher and author with:
  • personal knowledge of the Anishinabek ways of being
  • a solid understanding of the issues and challenges experienced by Northerners
• a founding member of Giiwednong Health Link, a regional e-health indigenous organization
• a founding member of the provincial Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
• a board member of the Health Sciences North – a northeastern Ontario regional hospital
• a member of a provincial indigenous circle with the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health
• a member of the provincial Post-Secondary Quality Assessment Board

She has:

• a doctorate in Higher Education, Administration, from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto
• a master’s degree in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from Central Michigan University
• volunteered on many diverse organizations and councils throughout her career

Marie Beaulieu, Ph.D., is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2023.

Her work focuses on the mistreatment of older adults, fighting bullying and ageism, promoting a sense of security and encouraging positive, ethical issues related to aging. She works hard to end the invisibility of mistreated older adults.

She is:

• a retired and adjunct professor at the School of Social Work at the Université de Sherbrooke
• an affiliated researcher with the Research Centre on Aging of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSS) de l'Estrie-CHUS
• a consultant in social gerontology (support for clinical teams and content development in the fight against abuse)

She was:

• a co-director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Age-friendly Cities and Communities attached to the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS Research Centre on Aging from 2017 to 2023
• a university professor and researcher from 1992 to 2023
• Chairholder of the Research Chair on Mistreatment of Older Adults from 2010 to 2022
• a member of the National Seniors Council from 2013 to 2018

She has:

• a PhD in applied humanities from the Université de Montréal
• a master’s degree in criminology from the Université de Montréal
• received numerous awards, such as the:
  • 2021 Acfas Thérèse Gouin-Décarie prize for career excellence in the social sciences
  • 2019 lifetime Canadian Association on Gerontology Award for Contribution to Gerontology
  • International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Fellowship in 2018
  • Royal Society of Canada Fellowship in 2017
  • Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 in recognition of her many contributions to promoting recognition of older adults

In September 2022, the United Nations named Dr. Beaulieu 1 of 50 international leaders of the Decade on Healthy Aging (2021 to 2030).

Olive Bryanton, Ph.D., is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2022.

She has been a fervent activist for seniors’ well-being for all of her professional life. Her 2018 PhD dissertation, titled, Pioneers in Aging: Voices of women 85 years and older aging in place in rural communities, shows her passion for defending the best interests of seniors.

She is:

• a research assistant in Family Science at the University of Prince Edward Island
• a researcher at the Health Research Network at the University of Prince Edward Island

She helped establish:

• a Seniors' Centre in Charlottetown, which was officially opened in January 1993
• a provincial PEI Seniors' Safety Program, together with the RCMP, the Public Trustee, and Consumer Services in 1999
• the Seniors College of Prince Edward Island, affiliated with the University of Prince Edward Island, which opened in 1997. She also served as the college’s first president

She has:

• a doctorate in Philosophy, Education from the University of Prince Edward Island
• a master’s thesis in Education, from the University of Prince Edward Island
• an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Prince Edward Island

She received:

• the Prince Edward Island Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023
• the Order of Prince Edward Island in 2020
• the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013

Larry Duffield is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2025.

Mr. Duffield is an experienced career Canadian diplomat with 25 years of service abroad as a senior manager responsible for trade economic development and investment promotion programs.

He is a lifelong advocate for numerous social justice issues, such as good governance, rule of law, elder abuse, ageism, and small business development.

He is a proactive seniors advocate, promoting inclusion, wellness and financial well‑being. For the past 20 years, he has been an active volunteer and advocate for promoting age-friendly communities. His efforts include being:

• a founding member and president of the Windsor Seniors Advisory Committee
• a founding member of Canterbury ElderCollege, president of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons Windsor-Essex Chapter
• a board member and vice chair of the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations
• a board member of the National Association of Federal Retirees Branch 49 Windsor
• a board member of the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre of Windsor

He has:

• a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto
• a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Carleton University
• received several awards, including the:
  • Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal
  • King Charles Coronation Medal 2023
  • Ontario Senior Achievement Award 2023
  • Ontario Senior of the Year Award 2017

Linda Jeffrey is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2021.

Mrs. Jeffrey has extensive experience in the public service, both at the municipal and provincial levels. She is also involved in projects regarding autism spectrum disorder and health and safety in the workplace.

She is:

• Executive Director of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association

She was:

• City Councillor for the City of Brampton from 1991 to 2003
• Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the Brampton Springdale and Brampton Centre ridings from 2003 to 2014 and served as:
  • Minister of Natural Resources
  • Minister Responsible for Seniors
  • Minister of Labour
  • Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Mayor of the City of Brampton from 2014 to 2018

While serving as Minister Responsible for Seniors, she has:

• had all retirement homes and nursing care homes in Ontario equipped with residential sprinklers
• created new provincial licensing rules targeting retirement homes in Ontario suspected of elder abuse and neglect through the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority

In 2012, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for public service.

Christine Kelly, Ph.D., is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2025.

Dr. Kelly is an internationally recognized expert on directly-funded or "self-managed" home care programs in Canada. She worked as an expert witness and consultant on human rights cases related to home care and disability supports. She also developed policy guidance for the World Health Organization to strengthen the front-line care workforce.

She is:

• an associate professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
• a research affiliate with the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba
• specialized in home care services, workforce planning for personal support workers, qualitative methods, disability studies, and aging

She has:

• a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) from the School of Canadian Studies at Carleton University
• a Master of Arts, Interdisciplinary Program in Disability Studies from the University of Manitoba
• a Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Comparative Religion from Dalhousie University
• published and presented widely, including a book, edited collections, numerous journal articles, and reports
• has been funded by the highly competitive grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• won several awards, including the Falconer Emerging Researcher Rh Award for Outstanding Contributions to Scholarship and Research in the Health Sciences

Susan Mooney is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2025.

Ms. Mooney is a highly experienced professional with over 30 years of expertise providing physiotherapy services in the private and public sectors. She has held various roles in the Government of Yukon, Yukon Hospital Corporation, and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

She is:

• active in her private physiotherapy practice
• passionate about leadership, team development, and process optimization to enhance efficiency

She worked as:

• a physiotherapist in the Yukon department of education, Yukon hospital Corporation and, Health and Social services in long-term care and home care for the territory
• an admission and assessment coordinator for Yukon long-term care facilities
• a consultant in disability management, assisting employees to navigate workplace accommodations for physical and mental health challenges
• a health care manager in long-term care and the Yukon home care programs with an emphasis on Aging in place in rural communities
• a manager, leading teams within health care, through significant changes, including navigating the challenges of the pandemic while supporting vulnerable senior populations in long-term care
• a volunteer on several boards and councils throughout her career

She has:

• extensive experience in leading and managing the design, development, implementation and evaluation of multidisciplinary programs and services
• strong background in providing guidance to teams in the delivery of programs and services
• a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from McGill University
• a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Life Sciences (Minor in Psychology) from Queen's University

Omar Saad, BSc. Pharm., MBT, is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2019. The Governor in Council reappointed Mr. Saad for a term of 3 years, beginning on October 20, 2022.

Mr. Saad has over 15 years of progressive leadership and executive roles in the pharmacy sector. His work is focused on developing medication management programs for seniors with complex medical conditions residing in long term care, group homes and assisted living communities. In addition, Mr. Saad established a number of programs to support nursing staff, unregulated care providers and care home operators through education, training, technology implementation and accreditation support.

Mr. Saad brings exemplary ethics and integrity to his pharmacy practice and to seniors care in Canada.

He is:

• a pharmacist with a Master’s degree in Biomedical Technology from the University of Calgary
• a member of the Disciplinary Committee with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia
• an executive in Long Term Care Pharmacy, delivering medication management programs and services to seniors across the country

He has:

• overseen medication management programs at residential care facilities and ensured crucial training for patient safety
• delivered innovative, seniors-focused programs to enhance clinical outcome indicators for older adults residing in congregate living environments
• worked in partnership with numerous seniors’ community organizations and stakeholder groups to improve the quality of life and care for older adults
• been selected as a member of the Ethics Advisory Committee with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia

Michel Tremblay is a member of the National Seniors Council since 2025.

Mr. Tremblay is an accomplished leader with significant experience and achievements in the fields of health and community services, in both the public and private sectors.

He is:

• the Executive Director of the Fédération des aînés et retraités francophones de l'Ontario
• an active volunteer, sitting on the board of directors of FrancoQueer, the Centre canadien de leadership et d'évaluation, and the Greater Toronto Club Richelieu

He worked:

• in the health care sector his entire career, including a number of years in community services, long-term care facilities and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, where he was Regional Director for Northern Ontario
• to promote and improve access to French-language health care services as an executive at the Hôpital Montfort and the Société Santé en français

He has:

• a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa
• taken refresher courses over the years in governance, partnerships, strategic planning, leadership, communications and client service
• a talent for bringing people together and excels in leadership, strategic management, teamwork, communication and alternative dispute resolution skills
• a talent for working with large groups, whether in French or English
• a wealth of experience and knowledge regarding population aging and is passionate about improving the quality of life of seniors in Ontario and across Canada