Minister Aglukkaq announces two new appointments to the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

OTTAWA, April 13, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced the appointments of the Honourable Michael H. Wilson, PC, CC and Ms. Lori Turik to the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for three-year terms.

"I am pleased to announce these appointments to the CIHR Governing Council. Thanks to their stellar skills, knowledge and invaluable experience in the fields of governance and strategy development, both of these individuals will be tremendous assets to CIHR," said Minister Aglukkaq.

The Honourable Michael H. Wilson, PC, CC is the Chairman of Barclays Capital Canada Inc.  He was Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America from 2006 to 2009. Elected to the House of Commons in 1979, Mr. Wilson was Canada's Minister of Finance from 1984 to 1991. Mr. Wilson also served as Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade.

Prior to his career in public life, Mr. Wilson's career was in investment banking with various responsibilities in corporate, government and international finance. Mr. Wilson has been active in a number of professional and community organizations, including NeuroScience Canada Partnership, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships and the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance. Mr. Wilson is a Companion of the Order of Canada and has honorary degrees from the University of Toronto, York University and Trinity College at the University of Toronto.

Ms. Lori Turik is the Executive Director of the Ivey International Centre for Health Innovation at the University of Western Ontario (Richard Ivey School of Business). Ms. Turik has extensive background providing strategic, government relations, policy, stakeholder relations and communications advice to public and private sector clients in her capacity as Consultant Associate with Link Strategies. She served as Vice President of Public Policy for the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores. A Registered Nurse, Ms. Turik was Director of Nursing with the largest public health nursing division in Ontario and has over 12 years of experience in senior nursing positions and health care research. She has held appointments and guest lectured at the University of Toronto, York University and the Humber College (Health Sciences programs). Ms. Turik holds a Masters in Public Administration from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lakehead University.

Biographies for the members of the CIHR Governing Council can be found on the CIHR website.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

Biographies

The Honourable Michael H. Wilson
Chairman, Barclays Capital Canada Inc.

Michael Wilson is the Chairman of Barclays Capital Canada Inc. Based in Toronto, Mr. Wilson joined the firm on June 14, 2010 and is currently responsible for managing Barclays Capital's client relationships in Canada.

Previously, Mr. Wilson was Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America from March 13, 2006 to October 9, 2009.  Prior to taking up his position as Canada's 22nd Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Wilson was Chairman of UBS Canada, an operating division of UBS AG.

Before joining UBS in July 2001, Mr. Wilson was responsible for RBC Financial Group's Institutional Asset Management business. He also served as a Vice Chairman of RBC Dominion Securities, responsible for senior client relationships and advice to both Canadian and international companies and governments. Following his service in government, Mr. Wilson launched Michael Wilson International in 1993 to offer corporate clients advice on international trade and related issues.

Mr. Wilson was elected to the House of Commons in 1979. In September 1984, he was appointed Minister of Finance and remained in that position until May 1991. He then became Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade. In this latter position he had responsibility for the NAFTA negotiations.  During his tenure as a member of the Cabinet, Mr. Wilson represented Canada at the G-7, IMF, World Bank, OECD, GATT and other international Ministers meetings.

Prior to his career in public life, Mr. Wilson's career was in investment banking with various responsibilities in corporate, government and international finance. He was also Director of a number of companies including BP plc and Manulife Financial.

Mr. Wilson has been active in a number of professional and community organizations, including NeuroScience Canada Partnership, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships and the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance. He has received a number of awards for his work in these fields, as well as from The Conference Board of Canada, The Public Policy Forum and The Rotman School of Business. Mr. Wilson is a Companion of the Order of Canada and has honorary degrees from the University of Toronto, York University, Trinity College at the University of Toronto and a Honorary Doctorate from the Royal Military College of Canada.

Lori Turik, RN, BScN, MPA

Ms. Turik is the Executive Director, Richard Ivey School of Business, International Centre for Health Innovation and Leadership where she is responsible for establishing the strategic, operational and financial management of the Centre.

Lori Turik has extensive background providing strategic, government relations, policy, stakeholder relations and communications advice to public and private sector clients in her capacity as Consultant Associate with Link Strategies. Her clients included the pharmaceutical industry, health care providers, not-for-profit associations and private businesses. As well as her consulting practice, Lori has held the position of Senior Vice President Government and Industry Relations at GS1 Canada. GS1 is a not-for-profit, industry-led organization that develops and maintains global standards for the identification of goods, services, locations and related e-commerce communication. Lori has served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Health, Province of Ontario and as Director of Public Health Nursing Services, North York.

Prior to launching her consulting business, Lori was Vice President of Public Policy for the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores for more than five years. During this time she developed a successful national government relations strategy, corporate communications, and branding strategy to identify and advance pharmacy industry issues throughout Canada. Lori has a range of experience including association management, board and governance issues, strategic and operational planning, and financial and human resource management.

A Registered Nurse, Lori also served as Director of Nursing with the largest public health nursing division in Ontario and has over 12 years of experience in senior nursing positions and health care research. Lori has held appointments and has guest lectured at the University of Toronto, York University and the Humber College Health Sciences programs. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lakehead University.

Lori has worked on numerous boards and government committees and continues to be involved in various professional, community and health related organizations.

For further information:

Media Contact:

Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
613-957-0200

David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563