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President of the Treasury Board  

President of the Treasury Board  

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|The Honourable Shafqat Ali is the President  of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Brampton–Chinguacousy  Park. A dedicated community leader and successful entrepreneur, he brings  years of experience working with families, local organizations, and small  businesses. Before entering federal politics, President Ali spent more than a decade volunteering in his community as a youth mentor  and organizer of local programs and initiatives. His work has always focused  on supporting people and strengthening community life. As President of the Treasury Board, he leads the government’s efforts to improve public services, strengthen accountability, modernize operations, and reduce administrative burden across departments. He is committed to making government work  better for Canadians and to supporting public servants in delivering results.

|The Honourable Shafqat Ali is the President  of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Brampton–Chinguacousy  Park. A dedicated community leader and successful entrepreneur, he brings  years of experience working with families, local organizations, and small  businesses.  

 

 

Before entering federal politics, President Ali spent more than a decade volunteering in his community as a youth mentor  and organizer of local programs and initiatives. His work has always focused  on supporting people and strengthening community life.  

 

 

As President of the Treasury Board, he leads the government’s efforts to improve public services, strengthen accountability, modernize operations, and reduce administrative burden across departments.  

 

 

He is committed to making government work  better for Canadians and to supporting public servants in delivering results.

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==Panelists==

==Panelists==

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|[[File:Jennifer Church.png|alt=bio|none|thumb|200x200px]]'''Jennifer Church, Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Service    Efficiency and Deputy Minister of Communications Nova Scotia and the Office    of Priorities and Planning'''

|[[File:Jennifer Church.png|alt=bio|none|thumb|200x200px]]'''Jennifer Church, Deputy Minister & Chief Executive Officer'''

Government of Nova Scotia

Office of Service Efficiency, Nova Scotia  

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|Jennifer Church was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Service Efficiency in December 2024. She previously served as Deputy Minister of the Office of Priorities and Planning and Communications, and as Associate Deputy Minister of the Office of Strategy Management and the Department of Inclusive Economic Growth. In these roles, she led major government modernization efforts, supported inclusive economic development, and advanced strategic planning across the province. Jennifer began her public service career in municipal government, serving as Managing Director of Government Relations and External Affairs at Halifax Regional Municipality. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University.

|Jennifer Church is Deputy Minister and Chief Executive Officer for the Province of Nova Scotia’s Office of Service Efficiency. She has previously held positions as the Deputy Minister of the Office of Priorities and Planning, CEO of Communications Nova Scotia, and Associate Deputy Minister for Inclusive Economic Growth. She has also held senior roles with the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.  

 

 

Amongst her ongoing academic accomplishments is her foundation as a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, as well as certificates in Behavioral Insights and Public Policy (Harvard Kennedy School) and Leading Complex Systems (Royal Roads University).  

 

 

Ms. Church has served as a board member for the Canadian Center for Ethics in Public Affairs, Community Leadership Advisory Council to the Admiral, Alice Housing, and Research Nova Scotia.  

 

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|[[File:Michael DeJong.png|alt=picture|none|thumb|200x200px]]'''Michael DeJong, Assistant Secretary, Regulatory Affairs Sector'''

|[[File:Michael DeJong.png|alt=picture|none|thumb|200x200px]]'''Michael DeJong, Assistant Secretary, Regulatory Affairs Sector'''

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat   

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat   

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|Michael DeJong is  Assistant Secretary, Regulatory Affairs Sector at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, where he leads federal regulatory policy, modernization,  and cooperation initiatives. With over a decade of experience in government,  he has managed innovation and change portfolios across multiple regulatory  agencies. In his current role, Michael oversees challenge and support functions for regulatory proposals requiring Governor in Council approval. He  previously served as Vice President at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission  and holds a Master's Degree in Business and Managerial Economics from Queen’s University.

|Michael DeJong was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Regulatory Affairs Sector at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in June 2024. In his current role, Mike exercises leadership on regulatory policy, modernization and cooperation on behalf of the federal system as well as oversees the challenge and support functions for regulatory proposals requiring Governor in Council approval.  

 

 

Mike previously served as Vice-President and Chief Communications Officer in the Regulatory Affairs Branch of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commissions (CNSC). In this role, he was responsible for maintaining an effective and flexible regulatory framework for nuclear safety, leading strategic planning and engagement, and delivering modernized communications services.

 

 

 

Michael has also held positions at Public Safety Canada, the Department of Finance Canada, the Privy Council Office (Regulatory Affairs and Orders in Council; Social Development Policy) and TBS (Program Sector).  

 

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|[[File:Rakhi.jpg|none|thumb|250x250px]]'''Rakhi  Lad, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Red Tape Reduction'''

|[[File:Rakhi.jpg|none|thumb|250x250px]]'''Rakhi  Lad, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Red Tape Reduction'''

Government of Ontario, Ministry of Red Tape Reduction ''' '''

Government of Ontario, Ministry of Red Tape Reduction ''' '''

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|Rakhi Lad was appointed Assistant  Deputy Minister in October 2022. Previously, she held various roles in the  Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade the  including Director of Strategic Industry Intelligence Branch, Director of Trade  and Investment Branch, and Director of Trade Strategy, Analytics and  Partnership Branch. Across these leadership roles, she led strategic policy  development, trade and investment initiatives, and industry intelligence efforts

|Rakhi Lad was appointed Assistant  Deputy Minister in October 2022. Previously, she held various roles in the  Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade the  including Director of Strategic Industry Intelligence Branch, Director of Trade  and Investment Branch, and Director of Trade Strategy, Analytics and  Partnership Branch. Across these leadership roles, she led strategic policy  development, trade and investment initiatives, and industry intelligence efforts

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Aaron  Wirth is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy and Competitiveness at Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Trade and Export Development. With over 15 years of senior leadership across multiple line departments and  central agencies, he is known for pragmatic problem-solving and strong cross-government and industry collaboration.  

Aaron  Wirth is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy and Competitiveness at Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Trade and Export Development. With over 15 years of senior leadership across multiple line departments and  central agencies, he is known for pragmatic problem-solving and strong cross-government and industry collaboration.  

Aaron  is focused on supporting investment and growth, driving competitiveness,  reducing regulatory burden and modernizing policy frameworks across the  Government of Saskatchewan and provincial economy. He holds an MPA from the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

 

Aaron  is focused on supporting investment and growth, driving competitiveness,  reducing regulatory burden and modernizing policy frameworks across the  Government of Saskatchewan and provincial economy. He holds an MPA from the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

 

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|[[File:BCC Staff TheoArgitis Web-211x200.png|none|thumb|200x200px]]

|[[File:BCC Staff TheoArgitis Web-211x200.png|none|thumb|200x200px]]

'''Theo Argitis, Senior Vice President'''

'''Theo Argitis, Senior Vice President'''

Policy Business Council of Canada   

Policy Business Council of Canada   

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|As Senior Vice President, Policy, Theo leads the Council’s policy team and provides analysis and insights on a wide range of issues related to the economy and public policy. Theo has studied and written on global economic and political affairs for three decades. His journalism career began in the mid-1990s, where he reported on the developing economies of Eastern Europe as managing editor of current affairs weekly New Europe. He joined Bloomberg in 1999 to open a bureau in Athens, before moving to Ottawa six years later. Since 2005, Theo has written on just about every major story at the nexus of power and money in Canada.  

|As Senior Vice President, Policy, Theo leads the Council’s policy team and provides analysis and insights on a wide range of issues related to the economy and public policy. Theo has studied and written on global economic and political affairs for three decades. His journalism career began in the mid-1990s, where he reported on the developing economies of Eastern Europe as managing editor of current affairs weekly New Europe. He joined Bloomberg in 1999 to open a bureau in Athens, before moving to Ottawa six years later. Since 2005, Theo has written on just about every major story at the nexus of power and money in Canada.

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Prior to her arrival at TBS, Kelly held executive positions in communications, in IM/IT, strategic policy and regulatory affairs at Innovation, Science and Industry, as well as various leadership positions at what was then Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Kelly works in an engaging, multidisciplinary way, with a broad perspective informed by work in both the public and not-for-profit sectors on a range of public policy issues.  

Prior to her arrival at TBS, Kelly held executive positions in communications, in IM/IT, strategic policy and regulatory affairs at Innovation, Science and Industry, as well as various leadership positions at what was then Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Kelly works in an engaging, multidisciplinary way, with a broad perspective informed by work in both the public and not-for-profit sectors on a range of public policy issues.  

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|'''Robert Ianiro, VP, Policy and Programs'''

|'''Robert Ianiro, VP, Policy and Programs'''

Robert has led major initiatives such as the development and Royal Assent of the ''Canada Consumer Product Safety Act'', the renewal of Canada’s Tobacco Strategy, and efforts to maintain a safe and secure food supply during COVID-19. He has represented Canada internationally at the United Nations, OECD, and APEC, and is recognised for his expertise in regulatory development, strategic policy, compliance programs, human resources management, and stakeholder engagement.  

Robert has led major initiatives such as the development and Royal Assent of the ''Canada Consumer Product Safety Act'', the renewal of Canada’s Tobacco Strategy, and efforts to maintain a safe and secure food supply during COVID-19. He has represented Canada internationally at the United Nations, OECD, and APEC, and is recognised for his expertise in regulatory development, strategic policy, compliance programs, human resources management, and stakeholder engagement.  

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Health Canada

Health Canada

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|Linsey Hollett is the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch at Health Canada. She is responsible for overseeing a national scientific and regulatory function,  including laboratory analysis and compliance and enforcement programs for drugs and natural health products, medical devices, clinical trials, cannabis, pesticides, tobacco and vaping products, controlled substances, and  consumer products; oversees national engagement and outreach programs related  to environmental health; is responsible for coordination of the regulatory agenda for Health Canada and, leads the Government of Canada’s initiatives to prevent and alleviate critical, national drug and medical device shortages.  

|Linsey Hollett is the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch at Health Canada. She is responsible for overseeing a national scientific and regulatory function,  including laboratory analysis and compliance and enforcement programs for drugs and natural health products, medical devices, clinical trials, cannabis, pesticides, tobacco and vaping products, controlled substances, and  consumer products; oversees national engagement and outreach programs related  to environmental health; is responsible for coordination of the regulatory agenda for Health Canada and, leads the Government of Canada’s initiatives to prevent and alleviate critical, national drug and medical device shortages.  

She is also the ADM Champion for the Community of Federal Regulators and Health Canada’s Gender and Sexual Diversity Network. Linsey has been with Health Canada for 21 years, always within regulatory organizations, working on files related  to healthy environments, consumer product safety and health product compliance and enforcement. Linsey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Memorial University and a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University.''' '''  

 

She is also the ADM Champion for the Community of Federal Regulators and Health Canada’s Gender and Sexual Diversity Network. Linsey has been with Health Canada for 21 years, always within regulatory organizations, working on files related  to healthy environments, consumer product safety and health product compliance and enforcement.  

 

 

Linsey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Memorial University and a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University.''' '''

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|[[File:Judy Meltzer.png|none|thumb|200x200px]]'''Judy Meltzer, AADM, Environmental Protection Branch'''

|[[File:Judy Meltzer.png|none|thumb|200x200px]]'''Judy Meltzer, AADM, Environmental Protection Branch'''

Environment and Climate Change Canada  

Environment and Climate Change Canada  

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|Judy Meltzer est sous-ministre adjointe déléguée de la Direction générale  de la protection de l'environnement à Environnement et Changement climatique  Canada.

|Judy Meltzer is the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environmental Protection Branch at ECCC. Previously, she was Director General of the Carbon Markets Bureau at ECCC.  

 

Auparavant,  elle était directrice générale du Bureau des marchés du carbone à ECCC. Avant  de se joindre au gouvernement fédéral en 2009, elle a travaillé dans divers  organismes de recherche et d'élaboration de politiques, notamment la  Fondation canadienne pour les Amériques et le Centre de recherches pour le  développement international. Judy est titulaire d'un doctorat en sciences  politiques et d'une maîtrise des arts en affaires internationales. 

Prior to joining the federal government in 2009 she worked in various policy and research institutions, including the Canadian Foundation for the Americas and the International Development Research Centre. Judy holds a PhD in Political Science and a Master of Arts in International Affairs

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|'''Kasi McMicking, ADM, Strategic Policy'''

|'''Kasi McMicking, ADM, Strategic Policy'''

Innovation, Science and Economic Development  Canada   

Innovation, Science and Economic Development  Canada   

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|Kassandra (Kasi) McMicking is the Associate  Assistant Deputy Minister for the Strategic Policy Sector (SPS) at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

|Kassandra (Kasi) McMicking is the Associate  Assistant Deputy Minister for the Strategic Policy Sector (SPS) at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

 

 

 

Kasi hails from rural New Brunswick, and  earned her BA (Honours) in Political Science from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.  She is the proud spouse of a CAF  member (retired), stepmother of a York University student, and serves at the  pleasure of her three rescued pets. She volunteers time mentoring  public servants, and on various animal welfare causes.  

Kasi hails from rural New Brunswick, and  earned her BA (Honours) in Political Science from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She is the proud spouse of a CAF  member (retired), stepmother of a York University student, and serves at the  pleasure of her three rescued pets. She volunteers time mentoring  public servants, and on various animal welfare causes.  

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