Ottawa, Ontario, May 9, 2012 -- Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the appointment of Dr. Richard A. Wishart, as the Manitoba representative to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC).
"I am pleased to appoint Dr. Wishart as Manitoba's representative on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada," said Minister Kent. "His knowledge of Manitoba's heritage combined with his 30 years of tireless engagement with educational institutions, community organizations and boards of directors will prove to be a tremendous asset for the Board in its work."
Established in 1919 and supported by Parks Canada, the HSMBC advises the Minister of the Environment on the designation of places, people and events of national historic significance. Together with Parks Canada, it ensures that these subjects of national historic significance are recognized appropriately, both within Canada and abroad.
"Mr. Wishart's professional and volunteer experience will serve him well in his new role," said Minister Toews, Regional Minister for Manitoba. "I am confident that Manitoba's many sites of national historic significance will be well served by his appointment to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada."
"I am honoured to be appointed as Manitoba's representative to the Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada," said Dr. Wishart. "It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to promote the history and heritage of our great country."
A Winnipeg resident, Dr. Wishart will serve on the HSMBC for a term of three years. He is well qualified to sit on the HSMBC given his strong credentials as a senior manager in the field of education and his extensive experience sitting as director on the boards of many organizations. Dr. Wishart has a PhD in Zoology from the University of Manitoba and an MSc in Wildlife Ecology from McGill University, in Quebec. Throughout his career he has been involved in conservation and sustainable development issues.
Dr. Wishart has been a member of boards of directors for several organizations, committees and working groups, including the National Expert Council on Education for Sustainable Development, the Manitoba Working Group on Education and Sustainable Development (as co-chair) and the Board of Canadian Forestry Association. He is the author of two theses, two chapters in scholarly publications, and 15 technical papers.
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Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Julie Dompierre
Director
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Secretariat
819-997-0129
