M’CHIGEENG—When filmmaker Shirley Cheechoo of M’Chigeeng picked up the phone, just about the last thing she expected to hear on the other line was a voice from the federal Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal Appointments informing her that she had been nominated to be Ontario’s 29th Lieutenant Governor.
“It was a pretty big surprise but even a greater honour to be nominated,” said Ms. Cheechoo. “It was pretty cool.”
The filmmaker has some pretty solid credentials, being Canada’s foremost Anishinaabe kwe filmmaker and she is a recent recipient of a Premier’s Award of Excellence, but Ms. Cheechoo said that she was not sure who had nominated her for the position, although she thinks she might know, she didn’t want to speculate.
Ms. Cheechoo said that she was certain what her priorities in the job would be. “I would focus on youth,” she said. “My thing is the youth. I get so tired of hearing our leaders talking about how they are going to fight for the youth and then, when they get in, they seem to forget to follow through and do it.”
In the end, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment of environmentalist Elizabeth Dowdeswell, O.C. to the post. Her credentials were pretty impressive as well. Ms. Dowdeswell has had a number of successful careers in public policy, the energy industry, education and the public service. She is currently the president and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies, according to a release from the federal government. Ms. Dowdeswell was also the founding president and CEO of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, the Under Secretary General of the United Nations, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme and executive director of UN-Habitat. She has occupied senior positions within Environment Canada, the federal Treasury Board Secretariat and the Government of Saskatchewan.
The release goes on to note that Ms. Dowdeswell is an internationally recognized executive who is actively involved in community service aimed at promoting a healthy environment, sustainable energy and development, and a better quality of education both at home and abroad. She is chair of the board of directors of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario, a member of the board of directors of Grand Challenges Canada, a member of the Standing Advisory Group on Technical Assistance and Cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a Life Member of the International Water Academy, and a member of both Women in Nature and the Canadian Pugwash Group. She serves on the board of the new Alberta Energy Regulator and the corporate social responsibility boards of Dow Chemical International and Barrick Gold. Ms. Dowdeswell has received widespread recognition, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada (2012), receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), being named a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (2012), being named a Fellow of the Argentine Academy of Environmental Sciences (2008) and receiving multiple honorary degrees from several Canadian colleges and universities.
“Ms. Dowdeswell has a wealth of expertise in education and public service and has dedicated herself to the betterment of her community, province and country,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in announcing Ms. Dowdeswell’s appointment. “She has been a tireless proponent of the environment and sustainable development in Ontario and across the country. Her impressive skill set and vast domestic and international experience are exceptionally well-suited to promoting Ontario’s future and I am confident that she will bring a fresh and dynamic perspective to the position.”
