ETHI Biographies

Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics-2022
Members	Caucus	Constituency	Biographical Notes
Pat Kelly Chair	Conservative Party	Calgary Rocky Ridge AB	First elected to Parliament in 2015 Graduated from the University of Calgary in 1994 with a BA in Political Science Worked as a mortgage broker and was the co-owner of a successful brokerage. He twice served as the President of the Alberta Mortgage Brokers’ Association, sat on the Real Estate Council of Alberta (a provincial regulatory body) Served as Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance, as a member of ETHI, OGGO and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Previously served as the Shadow Cabinet Minister for Small Business and Western Economic Development, Shadow Minister for National Revenue, Associate Shadow Minister for Finance, and Deputy Critic for Treasury Board Preferred Language: English
Iqra Khalid Vice-Chair	Liberal Party	Mississauga—Erin Mills ON	First elected to Parliament in 2015 Studied criminology at York University and completed a law degree at the University of Michigan Previously worked as a lawyer and a public servant A strong advocate for women’s issues and a steadfast ally in the cause of human rights Serves as a member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Human Rights, as Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, and as Chair of the Women’s Caucus Preferred Language: English/French
René Villemure Vice-Chair	Bloc Québecois	Trois—Rivières QC	First elected to Parliament in 2021 Degree in Philosophy. He has an honorary doctorate (D.h.c.) from the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR) for the exceptional merit of his achievements in ethics Ethicist, international speaker and author. He has advised governments, diplomats and major corporations, both in America and internationally Bloc Québécois spokesperson for Ethics, Protection of personal information and Access to information as well as International Francophonie Convinced of the importance of preserving and promoting the French language, he has been involved as a volunteer for 25 years for the Francophonie, the francization of newcomers as well as for literacy Preferred Language: French
Matthew Green	New Democratic Party	Hamilton Centre ON	First elected to Parliament in 2019 Degree in Political Science and Legal Studies from Acadia University and continued his education at McMaster University as well as the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School Former small business owner in Hamilton and Most recently served as a member of OGGO committee Former Executive Director of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion NDP Critic for National Revenue, Public Services and Procurement, Treasury Board, Deputy Critic for Ethics Former municipal councilor in the city of Hamilton Preferred Language: English
James Bezan	Conservative Party	Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman Manitoba	First elected to Parliament in 2004 Serves now as the Deputy Opposition Whip, Strategic Advisor and Co-Chair of Question Period Planning Over the course of his parliamentary career, he has chaired the House of Commons Standing Committees for Agriculture and Agri-Food (2006-2008), Environment (2008-2011), and National Defence (2011-2013) The Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence and the Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence from 2015-2021 During his 17 years in Parliament, he has fought strongly for marketing freedom for Western Canadian farmers and ending the long-gun registry Before public life, he worked in the livestock industry Preferred Language: English
Parm Bains	Liberal Party	Steveston—Richmond East BC	First elected to Parliament in 2021 Member of the OGGO Standing committee Holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Communications with a Specialization in International and Intercultural Studies from Royal Roads University in Victoria Served as a Public Relations Officer with the BC Government, 17 years of progressive experience in corporate communications including over 14 years working on public policy issues Formerly a University lecturer and Vice Chair of the Richmond Community Foundation and has served on a variety of boards representing academia and the social sector Preferred Language: English
Lisa Hepfner	Liberal Party	Hamilton Mountain ON	First elected in 2021 Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage Holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary, a Journalism degree from Ryerson University and a Master’s degree from McMaster University A veteran journalist with twenty-plus years of journalism including being a television news journalist for CHCH News Preferred Language: English
Greg Fergus	Liberal Party	Hull-Aylmer QC	First elected in 2015 BAs from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University (social science and international relations) Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the President of the Treasury Board Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Served as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Digital Government, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Former national director of the Liberal Party Former director of industry practices for Rx&D (representing Canada’s research-based pharmaceutical companies) Chair of the "Black Caucus" in the Parliament of Canada Preferred Language: English/French
Damien C. Kurek	Conservative Party	Battle River—Crowfoot AB	First elected in 2019 Holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Studies and Communications and a Diploma in Biblical Studies from Trinity Western University Actively involved in conservative politics across Canada including working for the Hon. Kevin Sorenson, MP while Minister of State (Finance) in Ottawa Worked at the Saskatchewan Legislature in a number of policy, communications, and research roles while Brad Wall was Premier A fifth-generation farmer Preferred Language: English
Ryan Williams	Conservative Party	Bay of Quinte ON	First elected in 2021 Former President of Williams Hotels and a City Councillor for the City of Belleville Instrumental in starting Belleville’s Pop-Ups on the Bay as a counsellor , as well as its Economic and Destination Development Committee in Belleville as Chair Past-President of Bay of Quinte Tourism and the Bay of Quinte Living Council An entrepreneur in the travel, hospitality and tourism industry and co-owner of Hops on Board Preferred Language: English
Ya'ara Saks	Liberal Party	York Centre ON	First elected in 2020 Holds an undergraduate degree from McGill University in Political Science and Middle East Studies, a master’s degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in International Relations and Diplomacy Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development International experience in advisory roles for policy, communications, and project management Former small business owner and a strong advocate for better access to mental health services Preferred Language: English