OTTAWA, October 4, 2005 -- The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), today announced the appointment of Dr. M. Elizabeth Cannon to the Board of Directors of the CFI for a three-year term.
"Dr. Cannon's extensive academic background and active involvement as a director on several industry and government advisory boards, including the Alberta Ingenuity Fund Board of Trustees, the Calgary Science Centre Board of Directors, the Alberta Research Council Board of Directors and the Advisory Board to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada on Earth Sciences, will be of great benefit to the CFI Board as a whole," said Minister Emerson.
"Dr. Cannon brings to the table an impressive track record in scientific research that will serve us well," said Dr. John Evans, Chair of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). "Her appointment to the Board ensures that the CFI will continue to deliver on the objectives set out by the Government of Canada."
Dr. Cannon is currently Head of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Calgary, a position she has held since 2004. She is a leading researcher and educator and has authored over 300 publications, conference papers and technical notes throughout her distinguished career. Dr. Cannon is the recipient of many awards for teaching, leadership and for her national and international research efforts. Dr. Cannon received her PhD in Geomatics Engineering from the University of Calgary in 1991.
The CFI is governed by a Board of Directors which makes final decisions on infrastructure projects to be funded based on a rigorous merit review process. Directors are appointed for a three year term and determine the strategic objectives of the CFI in the context of the funding agreement with the federal government. It approves annual plans and is responsible for formal evaluations of its programs whose results are posted on the CFI website. The Board of Directors signs a Statement on Ethics to deal with any conflict of interest issues.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI's mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.
For more information, please contact:
Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Douglas Lauriault
Director, Public Affairs
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 996-3193
