Deputy Chief Information Officer, Government of Canada

Upon joining the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in June 1999, Jim was given responsibility for the leadership of the common IM/IT Infrastructure for Government On-Line.  In the fall of 2001, he began developing the approach for the federal Chief Information Officer on Stewardship of IM/IT for the Government of Canada.

More recently, Jim led teams developing strategies for moving to a more "enterprise-like" approach to addressing Corporate Administrative and Information Technology Services as part of Government Operations Reviews. This formed the foundation of a new approach to shared services.

Manager, Metadata, Search and Information Architecture within Information Systems Team, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Leigh has worked at AAFC since 1982 in a variety of information management-related roles. She holds an Honours BA in Translation from the University of Ottawa and a master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario. She is also a recent graduate of the Information Management Leadership Initiative program that was organized by the Organizational Readiness Office, TBS.

Coordinator & Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property Secretariat, Department of Justice Canada

Prior to entering the field of intellectual property in 1992, Cal Becker served as Director General, Criminal Justice Policy, with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and, before that, as Coordinator of the Criminal Procedure Project at the Law Reform Commission of Canada. He is a member of the bars of British Columbia and Ontario and holds degrees from the University of Saskatchewan (B.A.), the University of Toronto (LL.B.), Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.M) and Cambridge University (Ph.D).

Director, IM Policy and Planning, CIDA

Alex Benay is the Director of Information Management with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). In this position, he oversees IM policy and planning as well as the implementation of the agency's Content Management Strategy (CMS), which includes RDIMS and other components. Alex's previous positions include various IM management functions within CIDA. For example, as IM Manager for the Multilateral Programs Branch, he oversaw all branch IM issues, as well as leading all corporate reporting requirements concerning Canada's funding of multilateral institutions. Alex also held the position of IM Program Manager for the Energy Sector within Natural Resources Canada, and has been employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Statistics Canada, and Library and Archives Canada.

Advisor, Information Management, Departmental Performance Branch, Canada Economic Development

Suzie has obtained a Baccalaureate in business administration and is completing a Masters degree in information management at the Université du Québec à Montréal. She has been published and has presented the results of her research in knowledge management at the 24th International conference on System Dynamics during the summer of 2006. Suzie has developed an expertise in the analysis of the organisational culture's influence on the adoption of virtual communities of practice through the application of the system dynamics methods. 

She has previously worked in Canada Economic Development's operations sector since 1997. Suzie was an advisor at the Island of Montreal's regional office. Suzie has implemented the agency's e-business strategy (budget of 50 million dollars over two years) as well as major innovation and market development projects at the Montérégie regional office.

Presently, her work is concentrated on the agency's performance measurement framework and the development of management information that supports the decision-making process.

Acting Director, Identity Management, Treasury Board Secretariat

Brazeau, Murielle

Executive Director, Policy Renewal Directorate, Corporate Priorities, Planning and Policy Renewal Sector, TBS

In 1989, she joined the federal Department of Justice, where she was responsible for the development of family law policies and in particular, for developing and implementing the child-support guidelines and support-enforcement reforms that came into effect in 1997.

In 1998, Murielle joined the Privy Council Office, where she was responsible for all Justice and Solicitor General files. Murielle then worked at Health Canada, where she was responsible for program areas such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Family Violence, and Fitness. She also set up Health Canada's Office of Consumer and Public Involvement. In 2001, she joined the Canadian Human Rights Commission as Deputy Secretary General, where she led a significant change process in the Commission's Operation Sector. 

Since March 2005, Murielle has worked at the Treasury Board Secretariat as Executive Director responsible for renewing the Treasury Board Management Policies.

Director General and Chief Technology Officer, Library and Archives Canada

Director General, Library and Archives Canada

Mr. Caron began his career as an economist with Québec City Hall. In 1982, he joined the federal public service, working first in Ottawa with the Bureau of Competition Policy and the National Museums of Canada, and then in New Brunswick with the Regional Office of Employment and Immigration Canada. Upon his return to Ottawa in 1987, he worked for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and in 1995, joined the Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec in Montreal. In 1999, Mr. Caron returned to Ottawa and assumed the position of Director, Innovation and Quality Services Division, for the Treasury Board Secretariat, before joining Human Resources Development Canada as Director General of Administrative Services. In April 2002, he joined the Treasury Board Secretariat's Leadership Network to serve as its Executive Director of Operations and Implementation. Since April 2003, Mr. Caron has been with Library and Archives Canada where he is Director General of Corporate Management and Government Records Sector. 

In addition to his organizational experience, Mr. Caron is a seasoned author and speaker on public administration issues, both in Canada and abroad. Mr. Caron also taught at Concordia University and has been teaching for several years at the Management School of the University of Ottawa, and the École nationale d'administration publique, where he is currently associate professor.

Leadership, Innovation and Trends Expert

Jim Carroll lives five years in the future. As a leading international futurist, trends and innovation expert, he dedicates his time to helping people and organizations understand how they can aggressively adopt tomorrow, today. Jim wakes people up to the trends that will affect them, and challenges them to cope with a world that continues to witness constant, relentless, dramatic change. He is recognized for his critical thinking and business-oriented view of issues relating to social, consumer and workplace trends, demographic and lifestyle issues, emerging technologies, as well as economic and business trends.

A prolific author, his book sales have exceeded a half-million copies. As a columnist, Jim has written over 600 articles for a wide variety of national and international publications. As a media commentator, he has provided his insight in over 3,000 interviews on radio, television and in print.

Jim is recognized worldwide for presentations that involve his signature humor, high-level energy, deep insight and challenging observations, which are based on extensive research and customization. He is someone who provides presentations that deliver relevant, unique insight.

Chief Information Officer, Government of Canada

Ken has more than 25 years experience managing and leading technology and business functions both in the private and public sectors. His private sector career spans some 20 years and, as an executive with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, he held the positions of Managing Director, Individual Business Administration and Customer Service; Managing Director, Individual Business Re-engineering; Vice-President and CIO for MetLife Canada; and finally Vice-President of Development for MetLife's U.S. Operations based in New York. 

Ken's public sector career began with his position as the Assistant Commissioner and CIO at the then Canada Customs and Revenue Agency from 1999 to 2003. Commencing in December 2003, Ken joined Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Information Technology Services Branch. As CEO, he was responsible for providing IM and IT infrastructure and common services to federal departments and agencies, including all areas of PWGSC, as well as executive oversight for the department's Chief Information Officer. 

Ken is recognized as a person with a vision who is capable of communicating his enthusiasm and making things happen. He enjoys sharing the visions, strategies and practices he has played a role in developing and supporting over the years, and frequently speaks to audiences in the academic as well as business community.

Executive Director, Investigations and Litigation Support Office, PWGSC

She joined PWGSC as Director General, Finance, in March 2002. In January 2004 she assumed the position of Director General, Financial Operations. She has been employed in the Public Service of Canada since 1994. Until 1999, Ms. Conway held various positions at the director level in Health Canada. In 1999, she was appointed Director General, Review Directorate, responsible for Internal Audit and Evaluation at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, a position she held until her appointment at PWGSC.

Prior to joining the public service, Ms. Conway had an extensive career in health care. This included clinical care, hospital administration and university teaching in Canada, and health care in several developing countries. She has a BA (Hons) in Psychology and a Master's of Health Administration.

Acting Director General, Public Safety Interoperability Directorate, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

In 1998, Doug helped coordinate the creation of the Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) – Canada's anti-money laundering agency. He was later posted to London, England, where he worked in the Organized and International Crime Directorate of the United Kingdom's Home Office.

Upon his return to Canada in 2000, Doug served as the head of the newly-created Police Executive Centre at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa. In 2003-2004, Doug served as a senior member of a review team at the Treasury Board Secretariat, which examined Canada's post-September 11 anti-terrorism expenditures. He subsequently worked as an advisor at the Privy Council Office, Security and Intelligence Secretariat. Doug joined Canada's Department of Public Safety in April 2005 and is currently Acting Director General of the Public Safety Interoperability Directorate, where he is responsible for various information-sharing and information technology initiatives.

Deputy Director, Information Management Improvement Program, Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada

Director General, Organizational Readiness Office, PWGSC

Mr. Florakas joined the federal public service in 1990 following a distinguished career in the private sector. He served as Executive Vice-President of Ralston Purina Canada, Inc., and as President of Masterfeeds, a division of Maple Leaf Mills Ltd.

His formal education consists of a Bachelor of Engineering degree from McGill University and an MBA from Concordia University. In addition, he has taught management courses at Concordia University.

Information Management Improvement Program, Client Team Member, Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada

Director General, Application Management Services, Public Works and Government Services Canada

Doug holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph and a Master's Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. He is also certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute.

An officer with the Canadian Armed Forces for over 30 years, Doug attained the rank of Colonel. While serving with National Defence, he became Director General, Information Management Project Delivery. In that capacity Doug was responsible for leading the largest IM project delivery organization within the GoC. Most recently, he was Director General, Enterprise Application Services, where he led the development of a DND shared-services application organization that consolidated support for all major corporate applications.

Director of Knowledge Transfer and Exchange, Canadian Health Services Research Foundation

Irving developed and launched a knowledge-brokering program that includes a national evaluation component and a network of more than 600 brokers in Canada and abroad. Previously he was a research transfer associate at the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis at McMaster University.

Irving holds Master's degrees in both criminology and sociology. He is a visiting scholar at Wellesley Central in Toronto, chairman of the board of directors of the Canadian Obesity Network (a network of centres of excellence), and a member of the knowledge transfer advisory committee of the Canadian Institute of Health Services and Policy Research.

A national opinion leader in his field, Irving speaks globally about strategies for bridging the "know-do" gap between researchers and decision makers.

Director, Library of the Canadian Police College

Project Officer, Government Record Business Centre, Library and Archives Canada

Leina completed a Master's degree in Project Management from the Université du Québec en Outaouais in August 2006. She also has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with majors in International Management and in Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Ottawa.

Director General, Data Management and Dissemination Branch, Natural Resources Canada

Director, Information Management Program, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Previously, Mr. Lamirande served as Director, Consulting Services for CGI's Information Management Solutions and Services practice and performed dual duties as the Service Delivery Manager for a number of Canadian federal government departments. 

Since 1992, Mr. Lamirande had held leading roles for CGI's global Information Management Centre of Expertise and its Information Management Practice in the National Capital Region, covering IM, EDM, content management and portal offerings. He has also performed the role of Program Manager for the Records, Document, Information Management System (RDIMS) initiative. Furthermore, through implementation and support activities for CGI's Project Management Framework, Mr. Lamirande was an important part of CGI's ISO 9001 certification process for its corporate and regional offices. He has also participated in national library systems initiatives in England, Australia and New Zealand. 

With more than 20 years of IM/IT experience, Mr. Lamirande has a sound knowledge of project management principles and practices. He has a proven track record of managing large teams of technical, functional, and business specialists to successfully deliver medium to large-scale IM/IT projects on diverse hardware and software platforms.

A/Senior Director, DIMES, PWGSC

Mike is a graduate of the Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and York University. He is a Certified General Accountant (CGA); a Project Management Professional (PMP/PMI); and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (Information Systems Audit and Control Foundation).

Mike currently holds the position of A/Senior Director, for the Directorate of Information Management Enablement Services, Information Technology Services Branch at Public Works and Government Services Canada.

Executive Director, Information Management, Technology and Services, CASS, Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat

A/Director, Policy and Partnerships, Public Health Agency of Canada

Manager, Corporate Information, Data Management and Data Dissemination Branch, Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada

Phil joined the Geological Survey of Canada in 1985. He was based at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where he worked as a sedimentary basin geologist, project manager, and information management/information technology expert. The main thrust of Phil's geological work has contributed to an improved understanding of the sedimentary basins offshore Eastern Canada and their hydrocarbon potential. This directly relates to the issue of the discovery and development of new energy resources for Canadians. Just as important is Phil's contribution to the computing and information management infrastructure for the Geological Survey of Canada and ESS. Phil has been at the forefront of ensuring data is managed and made accessible on-line by a wide range of clients. In his current position he has operational responsibility for managing a vast array of geoscience and geomatic data sets for the entire country, and enabling much improved access to this wealth of information.

Manager, Canadian Forces Virtual Library, Canadian Forces College

Epidemiologist, Division of Immunization and Respiratory Infections, Public Health Agency of Canada

Senior Economic Analyst, Enterprise Stewardship and Internal Services Strategies, CIOB, Treasury Board Secretariat

Geochronology Data Scientist, Natural Resources Canada

Past research interests have included a number of varied scientific fields such as geochemistry, mineralogy, data modeling, and experimental petrology. Linda joined the Ottawa office of the Geological Survey of Canada in 1999, where she has worked as a geochronology data scientist, project leader, and information management expert. Linda's combined scientific and information management expertise has allowed her to play a key role in ensuring that the scientific needs of the ESS laboratory facilities and collections are well understood and aligned with the information-management goals of this organization. Linda has significantly contributed to various efforts throughout the ESS to ensure that the wealth of information produced by this organization is well managed and that it is made accessible to a wide range of clients on-line.

Senior Director, Information Management Strategies Division, TBS

Previously as Director, Strategic Information Management at Service Canada, Gina was responsible for developing, garnering support for and implementing a broad, enterprise IM program. In recent years, she gained recognition for leading the development of an enterprise IM strategy focused on client information (the One Client View) in support of the Service Canada vision, and achievement of an integrated approach to service delivery.

Gina holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University.

Electronic Publishing Advisor, Office of the Secretary to the Governor General

Managing Director for Knowledge Services, United States Government Accountability Office

Manager, Information Evaluation, Library, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Senior IM Analyst and Project Manager, System Integration and Application Development, Information Services, House of Commons

In the summer of 1995, Anne began focusing on the strategic planning of data administration. She was responsible for a data-management renewal initiative at the House of Commons. Once the strategic direction was approved, she proposed the first corporate data warehousing initiative to the House. The first phase deliverables were deployed in June 1997. Two subsequent phases followed (July 1999 and January 2000).

Mrs. Valin was in charge of the Data Warehousing Competency Centre, the Data and Database Management Competency Centre, and the Information Management Competency Centre until the spring of 2003. During this period, she was in charge of an information-management renewal initiative. The main resulting deliverable is the first House of Commons Information Management Strategic Blueprint approved in November 2002.

Mrs. Valin received an honourable mention during the 2002 Agatha Bystram Award ceremony for her work and leadership in information management at the House of Commons since 1995. She now acts as a senior analyst and project manager in IM.

Manager, IM Practice and Performance Assessment, Information Management Strategies Division, TBS

Information, Data Architecture and Modelling Section, Canada Revenue Agency

Lynn recently led a multi-disciplinary architecture team to evolve CRA's enterprise architecture in support of its business intelligence and decision support capability. She is currently working on the Service and Technical Enterprise Architecture Project, a business transformation initiative based on the Business Transformation Enablement Program (BTEP), developed by Treasury Board Secretariat. Lynn is also working with the Information Policy and Governance Division, Corporate Strategies and Business Development Branch, on a definition and approach for information architecture for CRA.

Librarian and Archivist of Canada

Born in Montreal, Quebec, in April 1943, Ian Wilson attended the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean and obtained a Master's degree from Queen's University in 1974. In 2001, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters (D. Litt.) from York University in recognition of his contribution to Canadian archives. In 2002, he became a member of the Order of Canada. In 2003, he was elected Fellow of the Society of American Archivists and appointed Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France.

Mr. Wilson has been involved with the Canadian archival and library communities for over 30 years. He began his career at Queen's University Archives (1967), later becoming Saskatchewan's Provincial Archivist (1976-86) and Chairman of the Saskatchewan Heritage Advisory Board. Mr. Wilson was appointed Archivist of Ontario in 1986, a position he held until 1999. For several years he was also responsible for the Ontario Public Library system.

Mr. Wilson chaired the Consultative Group on Canadian Archives on behalf of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The Group's report, Canadian Archives – generally known as the "Wilson Report" –  was published in 1980 and has been described as "a milestone in the history of archival development in Canada."

Mr. Wilson has published extensively on history, archives, heritage and information management, and has lectured both nationally and abroad.

Director, IM Community Development, Organizational Readiness Office, PWGSC