Robert Page

NRTEE Chair
TransAlta Professor of Environmental Management and Sustainability
Energy and Environmental Systems Group
Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta

Robert Page, is currently the TransAlta Professor of Environmental Management and Sustainability, Energy and Environmental Systems Group, Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy, University of Calgary, where he is also an Adjunct Professor in the Haskayne School of Business. From 1997 to January 2007 he was the Vice President Sustainable Development, TransAlta Corporation, Calgary with operations in Canada, US, Mexico, and Australia. Dr Page, led their efforts on climate change, emissions, and sustainable development.

Prior to joining TransAlta in 1997, Dr. Page spent 25 years in consulting, academic teaching and research. Most recently, he was Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, where he taught in the Environmental Science program Dr. Page is known nationally and internationally for his work on energy and the environment in areas such as climate change, emissions trading, biodiversity and protected spaces, environmental impact assessment, and policy and regulation.

He is Chair of the management committee for the International Standards Organization (ISO)14000 series of international environmental standards (Geneva). He was past Chair of the Board of Directors of BIOCAP Canada, a national research partnership on biological carbon capture and bio-energy, and a past Chair of the Board of the International Emissions Trading Association (Geneva). Dr. Page also chaired the Banff Bow Valley Study (federal inquiry into the ecological intensity of Banff National Park) and served on the Alberta Special Places 2000 Committee. Dr. Page’s activities have been varied, and have included the Board of Directors of Clean Air Strategic Alliance of Alberta (CASA), the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Business Environmental Leadership Council, (Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Washington, DC) and the Canadian Water Network. He is also a member of the Environment Committee of the National Chamber of Commerce and the Banff Calgary Board of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

Dr. Page has served the Government of Canada in international negotiations on the Conference of the Parties for Kyoto, the NAFTA negotiations, and trade and the environment. He is the author of many articles and several books on energy and the environment, and has been recognized nationally and internationally for his work. Dr. Page holds an honours Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Arts degree from Queen’s University and a doctorate (international relations) from Oxford University. He and his wife Jocelyne spend free time roaming the wilds of the Rockies and the Shield Country of Ontario.

The Honourable Pauline Browes, P.C., from Ontario, has a long history of involvement in issues related to the environment and the economy at the federal, provincial and community levels. Ms. Browes was first elected to the House of Commons in 1984 in the federal riding of Scarborough Centre. She served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment from 1986 to 1989, as Minister of State for the Environment from 1991 to 1993, and as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in 1993. Ms. Browes also served on Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal for 10 years beginning in 1995.

Among her many community and environmental advocacy activities, Ms. Browes has been a director of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust in Ontario since 1999.

Elizabeth Brubaker is the Executive Director of Environment Probe, an environmental and public policy research institute that is committed to developing and promoting alternative resource policies that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

Ms. Brubaker is the author of three books, including Greener Pastures: Decentralizing the Regulation of Agricultural Pollution (2007), Liquid Assets: Privatizing and Regulating Canada’s Water Utilities (2002), and Property Rights in the Defence of Nature (1995). In addition, she has contributed chapters to 13 books published in four countries.

Ms. Brubaker has participated in a dozen environmental assessments and regulatory hearings. She has lectured in Canada, the United States, France, Australia, and China, and has written extensively in the popular press about property rights, agricultural pollution, water and wastewater, fisheries management, and other environmental issues.

Angus Bruneau

Corporate Director
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

In 1987, Dr. Angus Bruneau established Fortis Inc., the parent company of Newfoundland Power, and he retired as Board Chair in 2006. He is a founding Member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (1978-83, 1995-2002) and a former professor and founding Dean of Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Further to his position as Director of Petro-Canada, Dr. Bruneau is a Director of Aurora Energy Resources Inc, the Canadian Institute of Child Health, and Sustainable Development Technology Canada. He has recently retired as a Director of Petro-Canada, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. and Inco Limited and as a Member of the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.

Dr. Bruneau’s memberships are varied; he is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Arctic Institute of North America, and an Officer of the Order of Canada. In addition to his other accomplishments, Dr. Bruneau has been honoured as a Gold Medal Recipient by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers. Dr. Bruneau holds a Ph.D from the University of London and honourary Doctor of Engineering degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Dalhousie University.

Anthony Dale

Vice President
Policy and Public Affairs
Ontario Hospital Association
Toronto, Ontario

Anthony Dale is Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs at the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), a position he has held since 2006. In this capacity he has leadership and management responsibility for the activities of the Public Affairs, Policy, Legislative & Legal Affairs, Health Finance & Research and e-Health Strategy units of the organization. Mr. Dale joined the OHA in 2004 as Director of Public Affairs. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Dale was a senior consultant at a leading Toronto-based public affairs consulting firm. From 1995 to 2001 he served in senior legislative, policy and communications positions in the offices of the Premier, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, and Minister of Labour for the Government of Ontario.

In February 2008 Mr. Dale was appointed by the Government of Canada to a three year term as a Member of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy.

Mr. Dale holds a Master of Public Administration (1995) and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in political studies (1992), both from Queen’s University.

Francine Dorion

NRTEE Vice-Chair

St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec

Francine Dorion has progressed steadily in responsibility throughout her 27-year career with Abitibi-Consolidated. Between 2003 and 2008 she served as Vice President of Environment and Technology (formerly Vice President of Environment and Sustainable Development). Prior to that, she occupied corporate responsibilities for Sustainable Forest Management. Ms. Dorion was also involved in various national initiatives; she Chaired the Canadian National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, and the Market Acceptance Committee of the Forest Products Association of Canada. She was a Member of the first Board of Directors of the Quebec Parks and Wildlife Society from 2000 to 2002, and served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Network of Sustainable Forest Management (Centre of Excellence) from 2001 to 2002.

Ms. Dorion is currently independent consultant in the area of Sustainable Development and Environment. Ms. Dorion holds a M.Sc. in Project Management from the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (1992) and a B.Sc.A. in Forestry Engineering from Laval University (1980).

Timothy R. Haig

President and CEO
BIOX Corporation
Oakville, Ontario
Executive Committee Member (Past Chair)
Canadian Renewable Fuels Association

Mr. Haig has over 20 years in the field strategic business development and financing with an emphasis on environmental technologies and engineering. Mr. Haig is President and CEO of BIOX Corporation and Past Chair of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. Prior to founding BIOX Corporation in September 2000, Mr. Haig held several senior management positions with high profile organizations both in Canada and the UK such as Ove Arup & Partners and Tarmac, Black and Veatch. In addition, he was a principal in CMA Associates which promoted, developed and financed several major wind farms across Europe. Mr. Haig received his MBA in London, England and his degree as an Industrial Engineer from the Royal Military College of Canada. Served as an Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (ARMY).

Christopher Hilkene

President
Clean Water Foundation
Toronto, Ontario

Christopher Hilkene is the President of the Clean Water Foundation, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to engaging individuals in actions that preserve, protect and improve our water. He specializes in surface water management issues and has made significant contributions to water policy in Canada. Some of Mr. Hilkene’s policy contributions include: authoring the Annexes for the 2002 Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting Management of the Great Lakes Ecosystem Basin; serving as the principal consultant to the federal government on the development of bulk water transfer policy; and acting as the lead consultant in the creation of the Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation.

In addition to his work at the Clean Water Foundation, Mr. Hilkene teaches at York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies on the Great Lakes and environmental policy. During his public service career, Mr. Hilkene served as a policy advisor to the federal Minister of the Environment, and as well as a Communications Advisor in the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE).

He has served on the Boards of Directors of number of organizations including Ryerson University, the George and Helen Vari Foundation, the Riversides Foundation, the Niagara River Restoration Council and the City of Toronto’s Task Force to Bring Back the Don. Mr. Hilkene holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master of Environmental Studies degree from York University.

Franklin Holtforster

President and Chief Executive Officer
MHPM Project Managers Inc.

Franklin Holtforster has broad experience in the construction industry as a project manager, consulting engineer and contractor, delivering projects for both private and public sector clients in Canada and abroad. These have together fostered a keen awareness of the opportunity to deliver sustainable, cost-effective and technically sound built solutions.

Since founding MHPM Project Managers Inc. in 1989 Mr. Holtforster has grown the company into offices across Canada and the U.S.  Employing 250 professionals, the firm has delivered more than 4,500 projects valued at more than $5 billion, and established a reputation as a trusted leader of facility projects. Mr. Holtforster most recently led the project management team for the delivery of the $178 million Richmond Olympic Oval, site of the long track speed skating events at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. 

Mr. Holtforster believes that a major contribution to environmental sustainability can be achieved through improvements in building performance. He has actively championed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification for buildings in more than 50 projects across Canada.

Donald MacKinnon

President
Power Workers’ Union
Toronto, Ontario

Donald MacKinnon has been the Power Workers’ Union President since 2000, after 11 years as the Union’s Vice President for transmission, distribution, hydroelectric and electrical safety. Mr. MacKinnon’s career in Ontario’s electricity sector has spanned over three decades, and includes nearly every aspect of the sector, from tradesperson to corporate director.

In his 29 years as a union activist, Mr. MacKinnon solidified his reputation as a skilled and innovative negotiator, seasoned in mutual gains approaches that reached enduring settlements that balanced business needs, and the rights and values of employees. Mr. MacKinnon is currently a member of the Hydro One Board of Directors where he also chairs that Board’s Health and Safety Committee. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Nuclear Association, and co-chairs the Health and Safety Advisory Committees at Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Power. Other past activities include appointments to the Ontario government’s Electricity Transition Committee and the Electricity Conservation and Supply Task Force.

Ken McKinnon

Chair
Yukon Environmental
and Socio-Economic Assessment Board
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

John Kenneth McKinnon is the Chair of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board (YESAB). Ken McKinnon has been President of McKinnon and Associates General Consulting since 1995. From 1986 until 1995, he served as Commissioner of the Yukon. He was Chancellor of Yukon College from 2000 to 2004. In 2004, he was appointed Senior Advisor to the Yukon Government on Electoral Reform.

Mr. McKinnon was a Member of the 1983–984 federal Task Force on Northern Conservation, a panel of distinguished environmental, business and First Nations leaders whose report won strong support from both environmentalists and developers. While a member of the Yukon Legislature during the 1970s, Mr. McKinnon was deeply involved in the creation of Kluane National Park.

As Yukon Minister of Municipal Affairs, he initiated the first program of environmentally-approved sewage disposal systems for all Yukon communities. As Minister of Highways and Public Works, Mr. McKinnon was Minister responsible for the Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline Project.

After leaving the Legislature, Mr. McKinnon co-chaired the Commission on the Environmental and Socio-Economic Terms and Conditions for the Alaska Highway Pipeline Project. As Yukon Administrator of Northern Pipeline Agency from 1979 to 1984, he oversaw the implementation of those environmental and socio-economic conditions. Mr. McKinnon also acted as Director of the Arctic Institute of North America, whose mandate is to acquire, preserve and disseminate information on environmental and social conditions in the North, from 1987 to 1994. He was the first Honourary Chief of the Yukon Native Brotherhood. He was also the Yukon Territoral President of the Canadian Unity Council from 1987 until 2005.

Mr. McKinnon received the Governor General’s Canada 125 Medal in 1992, Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, and Governor General’s Centennial Medal in 1967. He is a Knight of the Order of St. John (1994). He was also the first President of the Arctic Winter Games.

Robert (Bob) W. Mills

International Advisor, Globe International
Senior Advisor, Plasco Energy Group
Red Deer, Alberta

Throughout his career, Bob Mills has contributed a great deal to global environmental and societal improvement. He has earned the respect and admiration of prestigious environmental organizations, and of colleagues across partisan lines. For his outstanding contribution to the environment, Bob was presented with GLOBE International’s highest honour – the 2008 Lifetime Achievement award – which he received in Tokyo from Japanese Prime Minister Yusao Fukuda. GLOBE (Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment) fosters collaboration among legislators on key environmental issues.

Bob Mills was first elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Red Deer, Alberta in 1993, and was re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006.  He served as Chair of the House Environment and Sustainable Development Committee before his retirement in 2008.

Born in Young, Saskatchewan, Bob graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BA in Science and an Education diploma.   He moved to Red Deer in 1965 where he taught high school until 1979 when he established Mills Travel Ltd. Bob has travelled extensively to all continents in the last 25 years, providing him with a unique perspective on global environmental and social challenges.

Bob has served on numerous environmental committees and is an active member of the International Polar Year (IPY) National Committee, the International Committee on Land Use and Ecosystems, GLOBE International Steering Committee, and a Board member of SEEDS.  Since 1972, he has been actively working on alternatives to landfills.

Bob lives just south of Red Deer with his wife Nicole, where he enjoys farming, gardening, photography and travel.

Richard Prokopanko

Director, Government Relations
Rio Tinto Alcan Inc
Vancouver, British Columbia

Richard Prokopanko has over 20 years of experience in natural resource management and public engagement. Most recently, he has served as Director of Corporate Affairs for ALCAN (BC) since 1997. In that capacity, he coordinated ALCAN’s first-ever sustainability report in 1999. In 2004, Mr. Prokopanko worked with Canadian Business for Social Responsibility and other corporate organizations to host a forum on the business case for sustainability and business partnerships with First Nations.

In 2006, Mr. Prokopanko served as a founding director of the “30 Days of Sustainability Society” – an initiative to enhance awareness and understanding of the importance of sustainable lifestyles. He previously worked for the BC Ministry of Forests in 1980s, and served as Ministerial Assistant to British Columbia Minister of Forests. He went on to work as a Policy Analyst in the section of Policy, Planning and International Affairs for Natural Resources Canada, and served on Parliament Hill as Chief of Parliamentary Affairs and as Executive Assistant to the Federal Minister of Forests. Mr. Prokopanko received the Natural Resources Canada Departmental Merit Award for his work on Canada’s first report on ‘Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Development of Canada’s Forests.’ He is also a recipient of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal for outstanding community service.

Mr. Prokopanko holds a B.Sc. in Forestry from University of British Columbia (1982) and a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Manitoba (1978).

Wishart Robson

Climate Change Advisor
Nexen Inc.
Calgary, Alberta

Wishart Robson is Climate Change Advisor to the CEO and President of Nexen Inc. where he is responsible for providing strategic analysis and advice to the Board and Senior Executives and otherwise preparing the company for a future carbon economy. Mr. Robson began working for the Fisheries Research Board of Canada in 1970 and subsequently worked for various federal environmental agencies for 11 years participating in studies in a diversity of ecosystems on mercury contamination, eutrophication, aquaculture and later, resource management and the regulation of extractive industries. Mr. Robson has spent the past 25 years working in the oil and gas sector where he held increasingly senior environmental and safety positions while working in Canada and 50 international locations on exploration, development and transportation projects including offshore developments in Nigeria, Australia, the UK sector of the North Sea as well as Hibernia and Terra Nova off the coast of Newfoundland. Several issues including emergency response management and fate and effects of marine spills have spanned his public and private sector careers and he is currently on the Board of Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) of Southampton, England.

Mr. Robson joined Nexen Inc. in 1997. Although, he had been active on the climate change/global warming file since 1988, it was at this point in his career that he was able to devote more of his professional and personal attention to the issue. He currently represents Nexen on several national and international industry associations, the International Emissions Trading Association and ICO2N, the Integrated CO2 Network, which is an initiative that is investigating the options available to Canadian industry and government to make carbon capture and storage a viable option for significant carbon emissions from various energy production operations and other industrial processes. Mr. Robson has attended many of the UNFCCC meetings, representing industry on the Canadian delegation at CoP 8 in Delhi.

Robert Slater

NRTEE Vice-Chair

Adjunct Professor
Environmental Policy
Carleton University

Dr. Robert Slater is currently Adjunct Professor in Environmental Policy at Carleton University. He is also President of Coleman, Bright and Associates, a consulting firm that operates internationally specializing in Sustainable Development issues and a Senior Fellow with the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Dr. Slater occupied several senior positions at Environment Canada, including Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister Policy, Assistant Deputy Minister Environmental Protection, and Director General for Ontario Region at Environment Canada. He was instrumental in establishing the NRTEE and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, and played a lead role in the Acid Rain Agreements, Canada-US Accord on Air Quality, and 1990 Green Plan. He led preparations for Canada’s role in the UN Conference on the Environment (“Earth Summit”) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. He was responsible for legislative initiatives leading to the Canadian Environmental Protect Act (CEPA) and the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and led development of regulations limiting lead in gasoline and bringing auto emissions standards in line with those in US.

He also chaired the International Joint Commission’s Great Lakes Water Quality Board from 1976 to 1982. Before joining the public service, he was co-founder of Pollutech, an environmental consulting company.