Three New Members Appointed to National Research Council Canada

OTTAWA, February 19, 2008 — The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council Canada (NRC), today announced the appointments of Mr. John Harker, Mr. Douglas MacArthur and Mr. David Wood to the Council.

"Since 1916, the NRC has earned a reputation as a key Canadian institution for science, technology and innovation," said Minister Prentice. "Building on NRC's long tradition of service to the nation, the individuals we are appointing today will help focus the Council on achieving entrepreneurial, knowledge and people advantages for Canada and on making Canada a world leader in science and technology."

Mr. Harker is currently the President and Vice Chancellor of Cape Breton University, a position he has held since 2003. Prior to joining Cape Breton University, Mr. Harker was Chairman of Harker Associates Consulting and CEO of Southern Africa Education Trust Fund. He has also held the positions of Director of the Canadian Branch Office with the International Labour Organization and International Affairs Director of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Mr. MacArthur is currently the President of MacArthur Group Inc., a Canadian management and economics company. He is also President of the Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership and Chairman of MGImedia Communications Inc. Previously, Mr. MacArthur worked with the Government of Canada's Department of Regional Economic Expansion where he was a Statistical Officer and Development Officer.

Mr. Wood is currently Head of Finance and Corporate Development as well as Secretary and Treasurer of Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company working to develop new cancer therapies. Before joining Celator Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Wood held the position of Managing Director with Cubist Pharmaceuticals (UK) Ltd. and Senior Director of International Operations with Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Vancouver. He has also served as Finance Director with TerraGen Discovery Inc.

Recognized globally for research and innovation, the NRC is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001

Richard Bourgeois-Doyle
Acting Director, Corporate Governance
National Research Council Canada
613-993-1906