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Panel Member Biographies

Nova Scotia

Granville Allard was appointed on December 14, 2007. He currently works as an area supervisor in his long career with the pulp and paper industry in Nova Scotia . He has been deeply involved with forestry, silviculture and woodlot committees and associations as well as amateur sports. Mr. Allard studied at Dalhousie University and graduated from the Maritime Forest Ranger School (now the Maritime College of Forest Technology) in Fredericton.

Dena Bryan was appointed on March 5, 2007. She is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and practises law in Pictou. She has served on the boards of many community-based organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the New Glasgow Downtown Development Corporation, the Highland Community Residential Services, and the United Way of Pictou County, among others. She has also been involved with a halfway house and women and children’s shelters. Mrs. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts (psychology major) from the University of Prince Edward Island and a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University.

Shelly Comeau was appointed on August 1, 2007. She is a member of the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia and qualified to practise nursing in that province. She is currently employed as a director of care for a home for special care in Saunierville, Nova Scotia. She also owns and operates a small business. She has been an active volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Breast Feeding Support Group and a local youth choir. Ms. Comeau holds a registered nursing diploma from the Yarmouth Regional Hospital School of Nursing as well as a diploma in personal care.

Cameron Crowell was appointed on June 18 2007 . He is executive assistant and office manager of the Nova Scotia Primary Forest Product Marketing Board and served as executive assistant to a Nova Scotia minister and member of Parliament. He is an active community member of the 14 th Airfield Engineering Squadron and the Royal Canadian Legion. Mr. Crowell holds a Bachelor of Arts and diplomas in international finance and marketing from Saint Mary’s University and a diploma in labour studies from the Labour College of Canada, with additional certification in performance management and Aboriginal diversity.

Randolph Dewell was appointed on March 5, 2007. He is a communications specialist, television and film production executive and an award-winning broadcaster. He also served as executive assistant to the Nova Scotia Minister of Education and Health. He has been actively involved in the community and has served on a number of boards and committees, including two terms as an alderman for the City of Halifax, as vice-chair of the city’s school board and as a member the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Civic Hospital Board of Management, the Halifax Police Commission and the Committee on Concerns for the Aging, among others. Mr. Dewell received his education in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Bruce Gillis was appointed on April 23, 2009 . He is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and practises law in Middleton . He is also a former adjudicator with the Nova Scotia Small Claims Court and past member of the Nova Scotia Insurance Review Board. He has been active in a large number of organizations, including several historical societies, the Middleton Board of Trade and the Royal Canadian Legion, among others. He is also a certified minor hockey coach and trainer. Mr. Gillis holds a Bachelor of Science from McGill University , a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University and a Masters of Laws from the London School of Economics.

Katrine Giroux was appointed on July 30, 2008. She is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and practises law in Halifax. She volunteers her time with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, helping students with their Bar admission course and she is an active fundraiser for the Kids Help Phone. Ms. Giroux holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Moncton, a Bachelor of Laws from McGill University and a Master of Laws from Dalhousie University.

David Greener was appointed on November 28, 2008. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and practises law in Kentville. He also serves as counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions ( Canada ). He is actively involved as a community representative on Acadia University’s Research Ethics Board as well as board member of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Nova Scotia. Mr. Greener holds a Bachelor of Arts for Acadia University, a Master of Arts from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Laws from the Dalhousie University.

Ronald Gregor was appointed on September 4, 2008. A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, he is qualified to practise medicine in Nova Scotia. He is a cardiologist in Halifax, and has 35 years of medical practice in the community, private office and in hospital, including intensive care and coronary care for more than 25 years. He also served as assistant/associate professor of medicine at Dalhousie University . Dr. Gregor holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Lakehead University and Queen’s University as well as a degree in medicine from Queen’s University.

Bonnie Hatfield was appointed on March 5, 2009. She is an administrative assistant with a large private company in Yarmouth and has had a variety of positions in the private and public sector. She also worked as a nursing assistant at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital . Ms. Hatfield has always been an active volunteer in the various cities she has lived in across Canada, from working with the homeless to children’s camps. She is also involved with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Yarmouth Community Kitchen and the Yarmouth Art Gallery, among others. Ms. Hatfield holds a nursing assistant certificate from the Nova Scotia Community College.

Elva Heyge was appointed on August 1, 2007. She owns and operates a consulting company, specializing in public and private sector planning projects. She is actively involved in her community, serving as assistant governor of Rotary International (Western Nova Scotia), vice-chair of CentreStage Theatre Society and board member of the Canning and Area Community Development Association. Ms. Heyge holds a Bachelor of Science from Acadia University and a Master of Business Administration from Dalhousie University.

Charles Lorway was appointed on September 15, 2006. A member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and Queen’s Counsel, he practises law in Sydney. He also served as chair of the Cape Breton County Social Assistance Appeal Board, chair of the Federal Board of Referees for the Employment Insurance Program as well as commissioner of the Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission. He is an active member of the arts community and the Cape Breton Chorale, and served on the boards of the Sydney YMCA and the Royal Canadian Air Cadet League, Atlantic Region. Mr. Lorway holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis Xavier University and a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University.

Joyce MacDougall was appointed on August 1, 2007. Prior to her retirement, she was a regional manager for Access Nova Scotia, a provincial government initiative designed to improve access to provincial, municipal, and federal government programs and services. She has been involved in a variety of organizations, including the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce, the Children’s Aid Society of Cape Breton/Victoria Counties, the United Way of Cape Breton and the Canada Winter Games. Ms. MacDougall holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cape Breton University.

James MacLachlan was appointed on December 3, 2007. A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and qualified to practice medicine in Nova Scotia, he is a general medical practitioner in private practice. He has been active in a number of medical and community associations, serving as medical director of health services at the University of Guelph, medical director and physician of the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association and the Nova Scotia Amateur Boxing Association as well as examiner and assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, among others. He has been a minor hockey, wrestling and baseball coach and a member of Lions International. Dr. MacLachlan holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from McMaster University, a degree in medicine from the University of Toronto and Certificant of the College of Family Practice of Canada (CCFP) from McMaster University.

James MacLean was appointed on October 30, 2006. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and practises law in Lower Sackville. He also served as adjudicator for the Assessment Appeal Court. He has been active in a number of professional and community organizations, serving on the boards of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation and the Halifax Housing Authority. His volunteer activities included community fundraising for a local church restoration project and other charities. Mr. MacLean holds a Bachelor of Science (biology major) from Mount Allison University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick.

Donald Myatt was appointed on November 28, 2008. He is a real estate appraiser and prior to that, was involved in real estate sales and sales management. He was also the regional director for a large corporate relocation provider. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Real Estate Appraisers Association and past director of the Halifax Dartmouth Real Estate Board. He has been an active volunteer over the years with a number of charitable organizations. Mr. Myatt studied at the University of British Columbia and St. Mary’s University in Halifax.

Mahmood Naqvi was appointed on April 30, 2007. He is a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and qualified to practise medicine in that province. Prior to his current position as medical director and chief of staff of the Cape Breton District Health Authority, he was a medical practitioner in a private practice, specializing in vascular surgery. He is a member of the Community Partnership on Drug Abuse and has been active on a large number of medical and surgical committees. He has also served as co-chair and founder of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, member of the Health Services Insurance Commission and the Provincial Health Council, among others. Dr. Naqvi holds a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery from Karachi University, Pakistan, with additional qualifications in vascular and thoracic surgery.

Andrew Nickerson was appointed on September 15, 2006. A member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and Queen’s Counsel, he practises law in Yarmouth. He has been active in a variety of professional and community organizations, including the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission and the Western Counties Residential Tenancies Board. He served as director of the Lake Vaughne Volunteer Fire Department and the Kay Nickerson Adult Service Center for Adult Mentally Handicapped. He also served as chair of the Yarmouth Waterfront Development Corporation and director of the Yarmouth Airport Commission, the Yarmouth Arts Regional Council and the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Nickerson holds a Bachelor of Science from Acadia University and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University.

Gilles Robichaud was appointed on November 28, 2008 . He is a member of the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia and qualified to practise nursing in Nova Scotia . He is a registered nurse with over 14 years of experience with the Yarmouth Regional Hospital and various hospitals throughout the United States . He was a municipal councillor for the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, where he served on several committees. Mr. Robichaud holds a nursing diploma from the Yarmouth Regional Hospital School of Nursing. He is also a graduate of the Recording Arts Program of Canada.

Patricia Rose was appointed on November 28, 2008 . She is registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology and is a member of both the Canadian Psychological Association and the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia. Ms. Rose has a private practice in New Minas and serves as a consultant to a facility for persons with brain injury. She currently serves on the board of Chrysalis House, a transition house for abused women and children. She has also been active in several community and professional organizations, including the Department of Community Services – Mental Health Services for Children and the Small Option Review Committee, the Brain Injured Association of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Association for Community Living, among others. Ms. Rose holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Masters of Science in Clinical Community Psychology from Acadia University.

George Sapp was appointed on April 23, 2009 . He is a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and is qualified to practise medicine in that province. He has been an ophthalmologist in private practice for over 35 years as well as active staff member at the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Hospital for Children, and consulting staff at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax . Dr. Sapp is also an assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Dalhousie University . He holds a degree in medicine from Dalhousie University and obtained his specialty in ophthalmology from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal.

Joyce Smith was appointed on July 30, 2008. She is the general manager of a residential rental properties business. She also served as business analyst for a large insurance company for many years. She has been actively involved in fundraising activities for the Bonny Lee Farm, a facility for the mentally and physically challenged as well as local animal shelters. She has also been a volunteer canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Cancer Society, the Salvation Army and the Diabetes Association. Ms. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Western Ontario.

Dixie Smith-Camp was appointed on March 6, 2007. She is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and practises law in Upper Tantallon. Mrs. Smith-Camp is also a registered nurse who worked in a variety of senior positions in private practice and hospital settings. She is actively involved in a large number of professional and community organizations, including the Whynacht’s Cove Environmental Society, the John Johnson Memorial Fund, the Bedford, Sackville, St. Margaret’s Lawyers Association, the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Nova Scotia Medical Legal Society, among others. She holds a registered nursing diploma from Victoria General Hospital in Halifax and a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University.

Ronald Surette was appointed on September 15, 2006. Prior to his retirement, he was a customs inspector with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency for 30 years. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program. He also serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Yarmouth Public Library and Museum, the Yarmouth Public Town Planning Commission and the Kespu’kwick Metis Council. Mr. Surette holds an accounting diploma from Success Business College in Truro and a business administration certificate in municipal governing from Dalhousie University.

Jennifer Tanton was appointed on December 11, 2008 . She is a kinesiologist and program coordinator at a local sport and recreation center. She has also been actively involved in volunteer work related to sports and rehabilitation. Ms. Tanton holds a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University and additional qualification in occupational health and safety management. She also obtained certification in older adult fitness and lifestyle leadership, strength and conditioning specialist, figure skating and hockey development as well as rehabilitative exercise therapy.

Lloyd Tattrie was appointed on April 2, 2007. He has owned and operated Downtown Book Exchange in New Glasgow for over 30 years. He has been active in a large number of organizations, including chair of Nova Scotia Fundraising and member of the National Fundraising Committee for the Canadian Diabetes Association, Scottish Societies of Nova Scotia, chairperson of the Board of Referees, NS Division, Employment and Immigration Canada, Saint Andrew’s Society and board member of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia, among others.

Anne Wilcox was appointed on April 2, 2007. She is a member of the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia and qualified to practise nursing in that province. She has 17 years of emergency nursing experience and currently works as an emergency resource nurse at Glace Bay Hospital. She has been actively involved in fundraising activities for local girls and boys hockey teams. Mrs. Wilcox holds a registered nursing diploma from the Sydney City School of Nursing.

Geoffrey Wilson was appointed on March 6, 2007. Prior to his retirement, he had a long career as a network and business services technician with Maritime Telegraph and Telephone Company Limited. He continues to work as a technical consultant on a part-time basis. He was involved in a number of community organizations, including the Cape Breton Community Network, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Telephone Pioneers of America. Mr. Wilson studied electrical engineering at the University of New Brunswick and pre-med at Dalhousie University.

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