26 May 2010 Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the appointment of four new members to the Advisory Council on National Security (ACNS). The new members are Anil Kapoor, Dr. Andre Gerolymatos, Dr. Zaheer M. Lakhani, C.M., and Jacquelin Holzman. The new members will serve for a period of three years, beginning in June 2010.
"Protecting the health and safety of Canadians remains a priority for this Government. I am pleased that experts of this caliber will be part of Canada's Advisory Council on National Security," said the Prime Minister. "The advice of these experts in law, international relations, public health and safety, transportation security and other related areas will provide valuable insights that are needed to address national security challenges."
Prime Minister Harper thanked outgoing members Louis Bélanger, Marie Rounding and Anju Virmani for their service on the Council. The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation to outgoing member and ACNS chair Norman Inkster for his dedicated service since the Council's inception.
In addition to the newly-appointed members, the Council also includes Douglas D. Baldwin, Norbert Manger, Karen Oldfield, Karim Rajwani, Beverley A. Busson, François Couillard, Anne Joynt and Neil McCrank.
Established in 2005, the ACNS provides expert advice about national security issues to the Government through the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister.
The Government is taking action on several commitments it made in the 2010 Speech from the Throne to enhance national security. These include measures to crack down on criminals; promote public health; and strengthen transportation, border and international security.
Biographical notes attached.
