Manager for the Work-Sharing program and program policy for EI Part II programming (notably the bi-lateral Labour Market Development Agreements and Workforce Development Agreements with Canada's provinces and territories)

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)July 2020 to Present, Gatineau, Canada Senior Analyst for Skills and Employment Branch’s program policy team for the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (OF) (portions of 2021 and 2022). Team of eight staff -- program policy development, data gathering and reporting, and briefing Ministers and DM. In 2020-2021, led key informant interviews and the external communications process for the OF. Wrote the OF’s 2020 portion of the ESDC Omnibus Training Memorandum to Cabinet, along with its Omnibus Submissions (#1 and #2) to Treasury Board for the Training Strategy. Developed the policy parameters for the OF’s upcoming 2022 call for proposals. In 2021-2022, authored the Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities (announced by the Government 2020) under Pillar 2 (employment) of the Government's Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

In 2020, for the Policy Integration division of ESDC’s Strategic and Service Policy Branch (SSPB), served as lead analyst for the DM Committees on Economic Frameworks & Inclusive Growth and Social Development & Wellbeing. Developed the departmental policy frames (along with presentations, policy briefs, and papers) for both DM Committees, under DM Flack. In 2018-2019, led the DM’s internal Task Team on Social Protections Income Security, managing a team of six senior analysts from across the Department, and collaborating with the DM’s Service Task Team. Led the overarching MTP committee that oversaw compilation of final MTP task team advice for the DM. Wrote policy papers with Finance Canada, on Retirement Savings Adequacy and Affordability of Life for Canadians, for the Medium-Term Planning and Transition process in the lead-up to and after the 2019 election. Led work (and three junior colleagues) in developing ESDC’s portion of the Government of Canada’s framework on inclusive growth (IG), as part of a joint secretariat with Finance Canada supporting DMIG. Briefed and supported DM Levonian in her role as co-Chair of DMIG. Led development of ESDC’s policy analysis and a wrote a position paper for the Department’s 2017-2022 Medium-Term Planning process, while collaborating on department-wide and client consultations for medium term planning.

Wrote major review of the Accountability of the National Farm Products Agencies. Wrote a historical study of the policies, aims, and projected benefits of Part III of the Farm Products Agencies Act, on the establishment and operation of national Promotion and Research Agencies. Wrote FPCC's 2013/14 and 2014/15 annual reports. Generally working to improve oversight of the Canadian supply management system for poultry and eggs, as well as to supervise national promotion-research agencies for farm products. Advise senior management of the Farm Products Council and the Minister of Agriculture in relation to the establishment and operation of agencies under the Farm Products Marketing Agencies Act.

Developed strategies for Agriculture and Agri-food Canada’s (AAFC’s) research engagements in China and India. Reviewed federal funding arrangements for food security-related research into wheat, and co-ordinated a visit to Canada by a delegation from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), located in Mexico, in the context of a meeting of the International Wheat Initiative in Saskatoon.

Conducted AAFC-wide review of the applicability of departmental programs and services to agri-tourism, prepared and implemented a strategy for amenities-based rural development under Canada's Rural Partnership; worked on developing joint approach to rural, co-operative, and community finance. Developed the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat’s strategic input to Growing Forward 2, the Government of Canada’s agricultural policy framework cost-shared with the provinces, starting in 2013. Led multi-stakeholder alliance (all provinces, Canadian Farm Business Management Council, provincial agricultural and industry associations, Statistics Canada and various other federal departments, and the Canada Agri-tourism Working Group) in conceiving, commissioning and overseeing a national economic impact study of agri-tourism and rural culinary tourism.

Supervised a team responsible for coordinating the end-of-season roll-up activities of the SCCYS and the launching and co-ordination of the SCCYs in 2009. As such, I was responsible not just for the direct supervision of three staff, and the hiring and oversight of an FSWEP student, but more important, general co-ordination and oversight of, and application of policy and program standards by Service Canada regions to, the 325 SCCYs across Canada (including the hiring of 800-odd seasonal staff). Much of the day-to-day work was completed by SCCY managers and supervisors in the regions, but they reported to me (with the assent of my Director). Prepared policy options and detailed report on the mandate and operations of the Service Canada Centres for Youth, in all provinces and territories.

For HRSDC's Community Development and Partnerships Directorate (CDPD), set up and provided background research for the Community Financing Advisory Committee, a committee of community finance experts across Canada who provided advice on determinants of access to capital by Canadian social enterprises and other community-sector organizations. Wrote a discussion paper for CDPD on policy options for strengthening community finance in Canada. With Vancouver City Credit Union (VanCity), oversaw the Demonstrating Value initiative, which engages social enterprises and investors in a collaborative process to develop and pilot a shared framework that can be used by enterprises to measure and report their performance and impact. Prepared a macro-environmental scan of the social economy in Canada and conducted miscellaneous research for CDPD. Wrote briefing notes and policy documents, and oversaw research projects.

Advised the Director of Operations and the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for social development policy on memoranda to Cabinet by Canada Revenue Agency, Department of National Defence (social issues), Social Development Canada (SDC), and Heritage Canada. Served as Privy Council Office lead on the Social Economy initiative, the Voluntary Sector Initiative, and Youth Engagement. Shepherded, through to Parliament, National Defence’s legislation on harmonizing the Military Justice system with the civilian Sex Offenders Information Registration Act. Worked with the Privy Council Office’s Economic and Regional Development Policy division in coordinating the transfer of downtown Toronto lands from National Defence to the crown corporation Park Downsview Park, in order to create an urban Olympic sports park in metro Toronto. Oversaw delivery to Cabinet of a National Defence proposal to extend payment under the Chemical Warfare Agent Testing Recognition Program to relations of deceased Veterans who died without leaving a will. Coordinated PCO response on compensation issues regarding Agent Orange and Agent Purple.

For the Industry, Science, Regional Development and Regulatory Issues division of Treasury Board Secretariat, assisted Senior Advisor in providing analysis and advice to Treasury Board on strategic resource allocation in the Industry Portfolio. Shepherded two Industry Canada submissions, one on the extension of Broadband Internet service to all Canadians and the other on enhancing Canada’s connectivity agenda, through to Treasury Board approval. Initiated and lead all Treasury Board Secretariat interventions on the Government’s new Social Economy initiative and changes to the not-for-profit corporations act. Coordinated the preparation of and completed technical revision of Industry Canada’s 2004-05 Supplementary Estimates A, Supplementary Estimates B, and Annual Reference Level update.

Advised staff and Director of Privatisation, Crown Corporations and Defence group of appropriate strategies for harmonising and streamlining the Government of Canada’s disparate emergency management response, recovery, mitigation and preparedness instruments. Prepared proposal for a cost-benefit study of disaster mitigation spending. Worked with staff of the Department of Public Security and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) to monitor reorganisation of Canada’s disaster-management directorate within PSEPC. Presented Department of Finance at meetings of the Federal Disaster Assistance Initiative Core Group, established to prepare new disaster finance and response instruments in the aftermath of the disasters of 2003, to complement the Government of Canada’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA).

Participated in the drafting and coordination of CIDA’s new Microfinance Strategy. Prepared report on the development effectiveness of sovereign debt conversion. Worked on report on international competition policy. Contributed to CIDA’s input to the Cancun agriculture discussions of the World Trade Organization’s “Doha Round” of trade liberalization negotiations. Prepared briefing notes on international debt relief initiatives, notably the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, and on CIDA’s stance on debt reduction initiatives for Least Developed Countries. Edited and reviewed consultants’ studies of the viability and usefulness of counterpart funds as development financing mechanisms. Coordinated funding for the Initiative for Policy Dialogue, Economist Joseph Stiglitz’s research group for devising policy alternatives for developing countries.

Wrote report, for Environment Canada, on Canadian Federal financing mechanisms for municipal wastewater treatment. Prepared market study of Halifax and Nova Scotia market for fresh cheese and cheese curds, and wrote report on the viability of a fresh cheese dairy in Truro Nova Scotia. Researched market channels for Maine sea scallops as part of a Gardner Pinfold contract for the Maine (U.S.) State Department Marine Resources. Collected base data for economic impact study of the Port of St-John, New Brunswick. For the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE), analysed and compared provincial surface water quality criteria, and reported on the potential, for use as NRTEE Environmental and Sustainable Development Indicators, of surface water quality standards and drinking water quality standards. For the NRTEE, researched the effectiveness of provincial water taking permits as indicators of total water withdrawal. For Environment Canada, researched and assembled meta-database of research on the ancillary benefits and costs of greenhouse gas reduction projects. Researched, analysed and reported on the North American market for organic pork, and on the viability of Canada’s organic pork industry for the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Assisted economics Professor teach two undergraduate classes in applied development economics. Assisted Professor to write a discussion paper on capacity development in conflict-affected countries, for the Lester B. Pearson Canadian International Peacekeeping Centre.

Co-ordinated disaster communications work for the Disaster Management Unit Project (DMU), and assisted the Standing Office of the Vietnam Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (SOCCFSC) to disseminate Disaster Situation Reports and damage and needs data to the UN Disaster Management Team, international humanitarian organisations, and the international donor community. Developed and refined a national system of disaster damage and needs assessment codes. Wrote aid distribution proposals and monitored the distribution of humanitarian aid channelled through UNDP Vietnam for victims of natural disasters. Co-ordinated the DMU's water supply system construction programme against drought in three provinces in Central Vietnam. Designed the DMU's community-based disaster preparedness training programme for schoolchildren in collaboration with the Red Cross. Developed real-time radar-based flood monitoring with RadarSat International, CIDA and national project partners.

Wrote keynote speech for UNDP Resident Representative in China: “Linking Disaster Rehabilitation with Sustainable Human Development”. Wrote speech by Vice-Director of the Standing Office of the Vietnam Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control: “Using Information Systems to Manage Water-Related Disasters in Vietnam.” Helped co-ordinate conference.

Planned the distribution of emergency aid for people affected by Typhoon Linda in seven provinces. Responsible for aid distribution monitoring and for reporting on the delivery of humanitarian assistance channelled through the UN system. Co-ordinated disaster communications with international media. Planned use of UNDP funds for Sudden Emergency - Rapid Response to Natural Disasters in Vietnam. Aided the Vietnam SOCCFSC in collecting official damage and needs assessment data on Typhoon Linda and in disseminating them to the UN Disaster Management Team and international humanitarian organisations. Assisted the Project Co-ordinator and National Project Director in co-ordinating logistics for the delivery of international emergency supplies channelled through the UN system.

Prepared relief reports for the UNDP Disaster Management Unit (DMU) on the distribution of emergency relief aid for natural disaster victims in Vietnam in 1996. Prepared daily reports to the UNDP Disaster Management Team on the disaster situation in Vietnam, and assembled disaster damage and needs statistics on disaster events. Carried out public affairs duties for the DMU and acted as liaison with Hanoi UNDP and New York offices. Wrote DMU publicity documents and prepared DMU reports for general distribution. Co-ordinated and trained a project team in the timely preparation of English language project documents, official reports, and Web content. Oversaw web publishing of disaster information.

Orchestrated an internal media campaign promoting the Department’s systems re-engineering initiative. Wrote for internal newsletter on the re-organisation of the Department and associated workforce reductions. Wrote other internal communications documents, press releases, and Internet content for the Public Affairs Branch.

January 1994 to January 1996Oversaw media analysis and press clipping (logistics, personnel management, sales, training, customer service, accounting, production and quality control). Wrote proposals for corporate clients and Canadian Government departments. Wrote media analysis reports for government agencies; compiled ad-tracking reports for Rogers Telecommunications, Bell Northern Research, and the Stentor Alliance. Wrote in-house reports for Bowdens Information Services, a subsidiary of Rogers Telecommunications, on strategies for turning Bowdens into a “learning corporation”; and development of a Rogers Telecommunications polling division.

Provided Members of Parliament, candidates, referendum committees, elections officials, and the public with in-depth explanations of the Canada Elections Act, elections procedures and referendum laws and regulations. Researched changes in administrative structures and government programmes and services, and updated the Reference Canada database on federal services.

Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, Canada; Summers 1987-1991For two seasons, 1990-1991 recruited planters in Ontario for Coast Range Contracting. Top producing tree planter in all of Coast Range’s operations in 1990 and 1991.

Peterborough and Temagami, Ontario, Canada; 1988 to 1991Researched and publicized the Bear Island (Temagami) Anishnabai native land claim in northern Ontario, Canada on behalf of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai Support Committee (TASC). Served as committee Treasurer.

Taught English and French at a community school in Céara State in Northeast Brazil. Worked on a dairy farm in Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada.