Trudeau Foundation Announces 10 New Mentors

Former NDP leader, federal cabinet minister, CSIS head, SNC-Lavalin CEO and Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland among those tapped to mentor promising Canadian scholars

MONTREAL, Feb. 1 /CNW/ - Ten highly experienced Canadian leaders with backgrounds in government, business, the arts, Aboriginal communities and public policy have each been assigned to mentor one or two promising doctoral students previously awarded the prestigious Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship. The new Trudeau Mentors will provide a uniquely experienced reality check to the research being conducted by the Trudeau Scholars, ensuring that their work is applicable and actionable to the needs and concerns expressed by society.

"As citizens of the world, our Mentors have a nationwide reputation based on their extraordinary achievements in their own particular field," said Pierre-Gerlier Forest, President of the Trudeau Foundation. "All have declared themselves ready to share their knowledge and skills with young people embarking on their careers and to introduce them to their professional and social networks to accelerate their paths to success."

Key areas of concentration for the Trudeau Scholars and Mentors are citizenship, Canada's role internationally, human rights and dignity, and the environment.

The 2010 Trudeau Mentors are:

    
    -   Guy Berthiaume (Que.): Currently CEO of the Quebec National Library
        and Archives after two decades at the apex of institutions of
        culture, research and higher education in Quebec and France. His
        networks span research, public administration and international
        relations.

    -   Edward Broadbent (Ont.): Former Professor, Member of Parliament and
        leader of the NDP, and founding President of Rights and Democracy, he
        is an expert in the theory and practice of policy-making, socially
        engaged and eager to share his knowledge with young minds.

    -   Donald W. Campbell (B.C.): Former Group President, CAE inc., Canadian
        Ambassador to Japan, and Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs and
        International Trade, he wields extensive knowledge of international
        relations and business with Asia, in particular with Japan.

    -   Maria Campbell (Sask.): A pioneer Métis writer, broadcaster,
        playwright and filmmaker, she advocates for Aboriginal rights and has
        volunteered with women and children in crisis for over 40 years. She
        is a unique incarnation of perseverance, resilience and hope.

    -   Roberta Jamieson (Ont.): The first woman from a First Nation in
        Canada to graduate from law school, former Ombudsman of Ontario and
        former Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River, leader in race
        relations and conflict resolution, and now President and CEO of the
        National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

    -   Jim Judd (Ont.): As a seasoned, high-ranking public servant assigned
        to critical positions in Canada and abroad (Caracas, Washington), he
        handled various strategic issues such as national security,
        international trade, finance, and the oil industry. He is the former
        Executive Director of the Canadian Security Information Services.

    -   Pierre Pettigrew (Que.): An expert in international business, former
        politician and Federal Minister (Foreign Affairs, International
        Trade), he has led a distinguished career with success in both the
        public and private sectors, especially in matters of international
        economics and trade.

    -   Edward Roberts (N.L.): Actively involved in public and political
        issues for 50 years, he is a flagship figure in Newfoundland and
        Labrador, where he served as Lieutenant-Governor. His experience and
        interest in history and law make him an invaluable source of wisdom.

    -   Guy Saint-Pierre (Que.): Former CEO of SNC-Lavalin and former Quebec
        Minister of Education and Industry and Trade. His career bridges the
        business sector and the policy world, and his networks include many
        influential institutions.

    -   Jodi White (Ont.): Former President of the Public Policy Forum. Her
        leadership experience extends to journalism, politics, government,
        business and international affairs. She is active on the boards of a
        range of institutions and organizations involved in academics, arts,
        health and culture.
    

The new Mentor-Scholar pairings met for the first time in Orford, Quebec on January 26-27 at an introductory session also attended by current and past Mentors and Scholars.

Additional biographical information, photos and the list of Trudeau Scholar-Mentor pairings is available upon request.

About the Trudeau Mentorship

The Foundation appoints up to 12 Mentors per year to facilitate interactions with the Scholars and participation in meetings held by the Foundation. Trudeau Mentors are selected from the most eminent Canadian practitioners in all sectors of public life, from the creative arts to business, and from public service to social activism. For 18 months, Trudeau Mentors are offered an honorarium of $20,000. A further $15,000 is available to cover the cost of participating in program activities. The Trudeau Mentors are nominated by an extensive nomination network. An independent peer-review panel is responsible for screening the applications and suggesting a list of Mentors to the board of directors for approval.

About the Foundation

An independent and non-partisan Canadian charity, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation was established in 2001 as a living memorial to the former Prime Minister by his family, friends, and colleagues. The Foundation supports creative and critical thinkers who make meaningful contributions to critical social issues through scholarships, fellowships, mentorships and public interaction events. To date, the Foundation has granted hundreds of major awards to top researchers and highly accomplished individuals, in Canada and abroad.

For further information: Élise Comtois, The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, [phone] ext. 224; Media Contact (English): Josh Cobden or Sheryl So, Environics Communications, [phone]; Media Contact (French): Miriam Lauzon, Capital-Image, [phone] ext. 235