April 12, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointments of Qussai
Samak, Marie-Claire Hélie and Edwin Charles Aquilina as members of the National
Round Table on the Environment and the Economy.
The Round Table is an independent advisory body that provides decision makers,
opinion leaders and the Canadian public with advice and recommendations on
promoting sustainable development. It brings together distinguished Canadians
from all sectors of society -- government, industry, labour, academia,
environmental organizations and aboriginal groups -- dedicated to the promotion
of sustainable development in Canada.
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Biographies attached.
PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW MEMBERS
Qussai Samak, from Laval, Quebec, has been a Member of the board
of directors of Centre Québécois de valorisation des biotechnologies
since 1998. From 1992 to 1997, he served as adjunct Professor at the Chemical
Engineering Department of McGill University. Dr. Samak has a wealth of knowledge
and experience in, among other things, scientific and technical research,
environmental protection and health, occupational and environmental safety. He
obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Université du
Caire, a Master of Engineering from McMaster University and later a Ph.D. in
Chemical Engineering from McGill University.
Marie-Claire Hélie, from Outremont, Quebec, has been a Vice-President
with the Financière Banque Nationale since 1990. Ms. Hélie, who was
educated and trained as a pharmacist, previously served as Chief Pharmacist for
the Hôpital chinois de Montréal. Ms. Hélie studied at the Université
de Montréal where she obtained a Bachelor in Pharmacy and later her specialized
diploma in hospital pharmacy management.
Edwin Charles Aquilina, from Ottawa, Ontario, is a former senior public
servant with a wealth of experience in policy formulation relating to economic
and regional growth, infrastructure development and urban planning and
conservation, to name a few. He is currently Special Adviser to the Mayor of the
City of Ottawa. Mr. Aquilina obtained a Bachelor of Arts in International
Affairs and Economics from Carleton College in Minnesota, and later a Master of
Arts in Political Science and Economics from Columbia University in New York
City. He also holds a certificate in Military and Strategic Studies from the
National Defence College in Kingston, Ontario.
