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A Public Health Summit

Panel One

Panel Two

Concurrent Session Panel

The Honourable Deb Matthews
Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues & Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction

Deb Matthews was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. Deb previously served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services.

Deb’s work on social assistance reform, including her report, Review of Employment Assistance Programs in Ontario Works & Ontario Disability Support Program, has received strong support from a wide range of community leaders. Deb was recognized in the 2007 Ontario Budget speech as having been a driving force behind the new Ontario Child Benefit. Deb received the 2007 Political Award of Merit from The Social Work Doctors’ Colloquium, given to an individual who in their political, professional and social life, practices and exemplifies the values of the social work profession including the fight for social justice.

Deb has been actively involved in community organizations such as Orchestra London and the Thames Valley Children's Centre. She has served on the London advisory boards for the Salvation Army, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and as a board member and president of the Big Sisters of London.

Her diverse work background includes business experience in the construction industry, fundraising in the non-profit sector and teaching at the University of Western Ontario. She served as the 1995-96 fundraising co-coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of London and has been twice honoured with a place on The University Students' Council Teaching Honour Roll at the University of Western Ontario.

Deb was born in London North Centre and studied at the University of Western Ontario, where she completed her Ph.D. in social demography. She has three children.

Brian Hutchings
Commissioner of Community Services, Niagara Region

Brian is the Commissioner of Community Services for the Niagara Region. Community Services performs the responsibilities of an administrator of the provincial Ontario Works program, Systems Manager for Homelessness and the Hostel system, Systems Manager for Children’s Services, operates eight Homes for the Aged, and a range of programs under the Seniors Community Programs umbrella. The department has an overall budget of approximately $350 million and 1,400 staff. In his role as the Commissioner of Community Services, Brian also performs a senior management role on the Corporation’s Management Team.

Brian speaks regularly to audiences in Niagara and beyond on topics including the work of his department, community development opportunities, poverty reduction strategies, the not-for-profit sector and the human services field. As well, Brian speaks to students at high schools and youth groups about steroids and drug use.

Brian is a Niagara native and a Ridley College graduate. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University in 1988. In 1996, Brian received his Certified General Accountant's designation and in 1999, his Human Resources diploma.

Community participation plays a significant role in Brian’s life and his volunteer efforts date back to his years as a professional football player in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Brian remains involved in charitable work as a member of the Hamilton Tiger Cat Alumni.

Brian was an active member of the Niagara Trillium Foundation Grant Review Team from 1999-2005, serving as Chair for the last two years. From 2005-2007, he served on the board of the St. Catharines and District United Way. He now sits on the Trillium Foundation Board and is the Chair of the Grants Review Committee.

Brian is the past-president of the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA), is a board member of Opportunities Niagara, a poverty reduction organization and is the Treasurer of the Alzheimer Society of the Niagara Region.

He is also a keen supporter of youth athletics and is a member of the coaching staff of the Ridley College First Football team. Brian is also the President of the Lincoln Leaper Jump Rope Club and President of the Canadian Rope Skipping Federation.

In 2003, Brian was honoured as the Citizen of the Year by the Grimsby Chamber of Commerce. In June, 2008, Brian was presented with the Niagara Award from Niagara College in recognition of his contributions to the Niagara community.

He is married to Sue and has two daughters, Blair (14) and Paige (13).

Dr. David McKeown
MOH, Toronto Public Health

Dr. David McKeown is Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto and Executive Officer of the Toronto Board of Health.  He leads Toronto Public Health, Canada’s largest local public health agency, which provides a comprehensive range of public health programs and services for 2.6 million residents.  He is a community medicine specialist who has worked in the public health field for over twenty years.  Dr. McKeown has been a strong advocate for measures to address the health impacts of poverty on low-income families and children.

Nick Saul
Executive Director, The STOP Community Food Centre

Food activist Nick Saul is the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Jane Jacobs’ Award, given annually to a person who makes Toronto a better place to live. As Executive Director of The Stop Community Food Centre for the past ten years, he has built the organization into an international leader in the fight to eradicate hunger and to build healthier, self-sufficient and sustainable communities. He and his staff have pioneered an innovative new model in the community food centre, where healthy food and universal access to it is seen not as a privilege but a basic human right. This fall, The Stop will open the doors at The Green Barn, a urban food production and education centre that will continue this work as well as being a hub of new ideas and a launching pad for what they call The Good Food Revolution. Saul has also worked at several other nonprofits, in government and the labour movement. He is a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal award winner for significant contribution to Canada and community (2002), and the proud father of two young boys.

Wangari Muriuki
Street Health Community Nurses Foundation

Wangari Muriuki has over 15 years of professional experience in health and human services, especially in the field of mental health. Wangari has significant skills in the area of knowledge transfer and exchange as well as in dept knowledge of social service deliver models. This encompasses managing the development of services, case management, supervision and training of staff, program development, and crisis intervention. She has a particular interest in diversity, equity, social determinants of health especially as it pertains to the health status of new immigrants.  Her experience comes primarily from the not-for-profit sector.  During her career, Wangari has held different positions with Central Neighbourhood House. Since 2001, she had held the position of Case Manager with Street Health Community Nursing Foundation. Currently, she is the Manager of Mental Health, Identification and Reception teams at Street Health.  She is also a Director and Lead Researcher for Jiamini Community Consultants which works primarily on health issues faced by new immigrants to GTA from social determinants of health perspective.

Wangari also has extensive volunteer experience including current affiliations with the Toronto Board of Health – Local Health Network and St. Michael’s Hospital – Mental health Community Advisory Panel. Wangari serves as the Chair of the Board of the Broad African Resource Centre. In June 2007, Wangari was appointed as a Citizen Member to the Toronto Board of Health for a four year term.

Wangari pursued a B.A. in Communications from City College, New York. In addition, she holds a certificate in Community Based research from Wellesley Institute.  In June 2007 she received a certificate from St. Michael’s College in Management for Health Services.  Additionally, she has completed courses and seminars on topics including: media advocacy, policy development, knowledge transfer and exchange, crisis intervention and case management.

Donna McMaster
Community Member

Donna McMaster is an ODSP client (Ontario Disability Support Program), with various physical health problems who is living in poverty. Previously married, she is now a single mother of six grown children (one still living at home) and grandmother of six.

Ms. McMaster was college-educated as a photo-journalist and currently works part time from her home as a freelance writer, struggling to become financially independent. Her medical conditions prevent her from working full time. She is a member of the Community Editorial Board of her local newspaper, the Welland Tribune and writes a column for that publication.

Over the past ten years, Ms. McMaster has interviewed several hundred people living in poverty from all walks of life. Drawing from her own experiences and firsthand accounts from others, she has compiled a report, Let Us Speak: How We See Ourselves 2008. This summary offers a personal glimpse into the lives of the poor, as well as suggestions on improving circumstances for those suffering from economic oppression.

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Dr. Brenda Zimmerman, PhD
York University

Dr. Brenda Zimmerman is a professor of Strategic Management at the Schulich School of Business at York University. She is the founder and Director of the Health Industry Management Program. She is on an advisory committee to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, advises the Canadian Public Health Agency and is the Vice-Chair of Quality for Mount Sinai Hospital. Her latest co-authored book, Getting to Maybe: How the World is Changed is a Canadian best seller. In 2006 she was awarded the Athena award in recognition of her community contributions and mentoring of women to reach their full potential.

Dr. Charles Gardner
MOH Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Dr. Charles Gardner is the Medical Officer of Health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. He serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Health and is responsible for the overall programs and operations of the health unit.

Dr. Gardner joined the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit in 2005, after having served as the Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit for seven years. Prior to that he worked in general practice for four years in communities in Newfoundland and New Brunswick and worked for a year as well in Zimbabwe.

He received his medical degree from Queen’s University in Kingston. He gained a fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in the specialty of Community Medicine in 1998.

Stephen Butz
CEO of Niagara YMCA

Over his 28 year career, Stephen Butz has worked in a number of YMCAs throughout southern Ontario.  He moved into his first association leadership role as the CEO of the YMCA of Cambridge in the mid 1980’s.  From there, senior leadership opportunities led him to his current position as YMCA of Niagara Chief Executive Officer. With extensive background in large scale facility development and planning, Steve has also orchestrated a number of YMCA collaborative efforts leading to amalgamation while providing leadership to many provincial and national initiatives.  Steve serves as Vice Chair of the Board for the Niagara Health System and is Committee Chair overseeing the development of a new Niagara hospital complex.  He also serves as a Member of the Board for the Niagara Community Foundation and Management Committee for Leadership Niagara.

Marc Brulé
Lead Pastor, WellSpring Community Church

A native of Welland, Ontario, Marc Brulé has been Lead Pastor of WellSpring Community Church, a cutting edge faith community with strong children to young adult demographics, since 1986.  He is a Canadian Fellowship of Churches and Ministries director and National Leadership Team member.  Marc serves on Welland’s Social Task Force comprised of community and government organizations as well as leads Welland's Network of Pastors to develop teamwork, trust, and cooperation among the city’s largest volunteer base.  Marc is nationally recognized for his innovative leadership and ability to guide communities through significant change.  Marc excels at facilitating community empowerment, building committed relationships, and bridging generations to serve in his communities.

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Judy Reid
Manager, Labour Force development Early Years Niagara, Business Education Council of Niagara

Judy Reid is a former educator (30 years) and presently manages designated Labour Force Development projects, School-to-Work programs with local School Boards, and Early Years Niagara.

Community volunteer as board member with Niagara Support Services (NSS), Niagara Training and Employment Agency (N-TEC) and at provincial level, volunteer Vice-President of Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS).

David Lorenzo
Manager, Niagara Region Public Health

David Lorenzo has been employed by the Niagara Region Public Health Department in the tobacco program since 2000. Since 2005 his portfolio has included managing Niagara’s Youth Action Alliance called Resist Expose And Challenge Tobacco (REACT).  REACT is a youth peer-led program aiming at educating and advocating for Niagara’s peers about the benefits of living smoke free. The position has afforded him the opportunity to work directly with youth in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Youth Panellists
Student Representatives from:
REACT, Niagara Region Public Health
Teen Esteem
Niagara Falls Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council
Niagara school boards

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