OTTAWA, June 21, 2010 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), today announced the appointment of Dr. Kevin Smith as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.
“Dr. Smith’s wealth of experience in the health care industry and his leadership and experience on several boards will allow him to serve the Foundation by offering varied perspectives on hospital and university needs for research infrastructure. I am pleased to welcome him to the position of Chair of the CFI,” said Minister Clement.
Dr. Smith is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Health System and an Associate Professor at the McMaster University School of Medicine. Dr. Smith has served as a director on the board of the CFI since 2007 and is a certified member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. He also serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations and the Ontario Hospital Association.
Dr. Smith earned his Doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Sussex in England and completed the Chief Executive Officer Program for Healthcare Leadership at the Wharton School of Business. In 2003, he was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, which recognizes Canadians who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada.
The CFI is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The Foundation’s mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and not-for-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Yves Melanson
Coordinator, Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
613-996-3160
