February 17, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New appointments to the National Council of Welfare

OTTAWA—The Honourable Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today announced the appointment of Ms. Sonia Racine of Québec City and of Mr. James Hughes of Montréal to the National Council of Welfare.

“The experience Ms. Racine and Mr. Hughes have in the field of education, and their personal commitment to social welfare, make them important new members of the National Council of Welfare,” said Minister Dryden.

Ms. Racine has been teaching, has published studies and reports, and been a member of various professional boards dedicated to improving community organization, social work, and empowerment. She is currently researcher for a project dealing with self-reliance and the actions of community kitchens in the region of Bois-Francs.

Mr. Hughes founded the Prometheus Project to provide mentoring for high school students at risk of dropping out. He is currently the executive director of the Old Brewery Mission in Montréal, a centre for the protection and care of homeless adults.

The National Council of Welfare was established by the Government Organization Act in 1969. Members are appointed from across Canada and include both service providers and service beneficiaries. The Council's mandate encompasses issues related to social security and matters relating to low-income people.

– 30 –

This news release is available in alternative formats, upon request. Call 1 800 788-8282 on a Touch Tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110