To apply my extensive political, diplomatic and communication experiences and skills to assist and advise governments, international organizations and the private sector to address domestic and international challenges.

To build and mobilize Canadian and international partnerships between the private sector, governments, foundations, research institutions, universities, large multilateral institutions, NGOs and the public, to create and implement innovative projects in global health, international development, conservation, and the environment.

To apply existing research in global health, conservation, and the environment and utilize this knowledge to capacity-build in low income countries.

To mainstream sustainable conservation and environmental practices into international development initiatives to achieve positive outcomes in health, economic and social development, the environment and human security.

To build corporate social responsibility initiatives to produce positive triple bottom line outcomes.
SUMMARY OF SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

I have developed a unique skill set from 17 years experience as a Canadian Member of Parliament and as a physician who practiced emergency medicine and general practice in Canada and Africa. I have specialized in the following policy areas: health care, foreign affairs, international development, the environment, social program renewal, defence and poverty reduction. My medical training has enabled me to promote and incorporate scientific research in the development of sound public policies and initiatives. I created a number of initiatives to address environmental, foreign policy, and global health challenges. The focus over the years has been to build practical and implementable solutions. At the center of my experience lies a demonstrated ability to build extensive, effective networks and provide leadership in political diplomacy, strategic planning and policy development. Critical analysis, public speaking, campaign-building, issues advocacy, creating stakeholder engagement programs, strategic positioning and creative marketing are other skills I possess.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Member of Parliament, House of Commons, Ottawa Canada, 1993-2011

Represented the riding of Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, British Columbia for six consecutive terms at the national level.

Parliamentary Secretary for National Defense, 2004-2006.

Appointed to the Queen’s Privy Council under Prime Minister Paul Martin in 2004.

Shadow ministerial portfolios: Foreign Affairs; International Development; Health; and Amateur Sport, Health Promotion and the Vancouver Olympics.

Parliamentary Committees: Foreign Affairs, Health, Defence.

Represented Canada in diplomatic missions and international meetings (Australia, Burkina Faso, China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Qatar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, UK, United States, Zimbabwe).

Represented Canada at the G8 International Parliamentarians’ Conference for Global Health in Berlin 2007, Japan 2008, and Rome 2009. Chaired the drafting committees in 2008 and 2009 that created a plan of action to reduce maternal and childhood mortality that was given to the G8 leaders.
Political Initiatives: International

Examples of parliamentary initiatives: That Canada work with the international community to develop and implement a rules-based mechanism for the prevention of deadly conflict; the development of an UN-based international 911 response system for natural disasters; that Canada take a leadership role in the international effort to ban landmines; led in negotiating a position in Parliament on Canada’s mission to Afghanistan.

Developed and championed initiatives to prevent the slaughter of civilians in Rwanda, DRC, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the former Yugoslavia.

Developed numerous initiatives, major projects and communication products for global health, foreign affairs, humanitarian aid, conservation and the environment.
Global Health

1. Initiated and led collaborative efforts between governments and NGOs and multilateral institutions to secure vital emergency supplies for the following:

The delivery of a multi-million dollar shipment of medical supplies and medications for maternal and child health centers in a flood ravaged area in Northern Pakistan (2011).

The delivery of $75 000 of urgently needed surgical supplies to the HEAL Africa Hospital in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2010).

Initiated the funding and shipment of 64 000 doses of antibiotics valued at $5 million, for the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe (2008).

Organized shipment of a 40 foot container of medical supplies to the Salvation Army’s Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe (2008).

Organized the shipment of a container of medical supplies for maternal and infant care to the LA Hospital in Accra, Ghana (2008).

Initiated and helped to organize the largest private shipment of medical supplies, valued at $16 million, to the WHO for Tsunami relief in Sri Lanka (2005).

Organized a container of medical supplies to a hospital in Sudan (2002).
2. Canadian Physicians Overseas Program (CPOP)

Created CPOP in 2007, a social networking portal that connects health care workers with hospitals in developing countries.

Created CanadaAid.ca in 2006, an online site which enables interested partners to support small NGOs and initiatives for people in need in Canada and abroad.
In 2008, developed the CIHD initiative to harness the professional skills within universities to build capacity in institutions in developing countries. CIHDs would foster north-south and south-south multidisciplinary partnerships to improve knowledge sharing and roll out effective solutions to address the health and development needs of low income countries.
Initiated and coordinated an all-party conference on Parliament Hill on maternal health prior to Canada hosting the 2010 G8 Summit.

Developed and championed a plan domestically and internationally to reduce maternal and childhood mortality.

Created the Facebook group, Saving Mothers’ Lives.

Promoted plans of action through domestic and international media and social media.