ARCHIVED - Minister Toews announces appointments to the Parole Board of Canada

OTTAWA, June 14, 2013 — The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, today announced 11 appointments and nine reappointments to the Parole Board of Canada.

“As an independent administrative tribunal, the Parole Board of Canada makes conditional release, record suspension and clemency decisions that contribute to the protection of society.  I congratulate these highly qualified, knowledgeable and experienced individuals on their new positions,” said Minister Toews.

Appeal Division

Denis Jolette, of Ottawa, Ontario, is designated as the Vice-Chairperson, Appeal Division. He was first appointed to the Board in 2008 and was recently re-appointed as a full-time member. Mr. Jolette has nearly 25 years of management experience in the federal government and private sector and in providing strategic advice to leaders, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Deputy Ministers and CEOs. From 2006 to 2007, he was the Chief of Staff for the Minister of International Cooperation and for La Francophonie and Official Languages.

Patricia Lynn Pitsula, of Abbotsford, British Columbia, is re-appointed as a full-time member. She was first appointed to the Board in 2009. Prior to joining the Board, Ms. Pitsula was a Senior Justice Analyst at the Criminal Justice Reform Secretariat. Before starting her legal career, she was a teacher with the Saskatchewan Department of Education. 

Atlantic Region

Maurice Bastarache, of Dieppe, New Brunswick, is appointed as a full-time member. Mr. Bastarache is a lawyer with extensive experience in criminal defence, family law and litigation. He was a member of various boards of directors, including the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation and the Canadian Bar Association.

Doreen Dinn, of St. John's, Newfoundland, is re-appointed as a part-time member. In 2007, she was appointed as a part-time member. She also served as a full-time member with the Board from 1993 to 2003 and as a part-time member from 1987 to 1993. She has a thorough knowledge of the law that governs the Parole Board of Canada and has extensive experience in risk assessment and parole decision-making. Ms. Dinn has also been involved as a volunteer with many community organizations at various levels.

Stephen Johnson, of Moncton, New Brunswick, is re-appointed as a full-time member.  He was first appointed to the Board in 2010. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Johnson was the Youth Navigator for the Government of Nova Scotia, helping youth and young adults to obtain appropriate services from government departments, and to access community-based resources. From 1988 to 2008, he was a Youth Support Worker preparing young offenders for their release into the community.

Prairies Region

Mitchell McCormick, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is appointed as a part-time member. Mr. McCormick has over 25 years experience with the Winnipeg Police Service, occupying various positions from Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Supervisor, and Constable. From 2008 to 2011, he worked as an Investigator for the Manitoba Public Insurance Company.

Walter Tielman, of West St. Paul, Manitoba, is appointed as a full-time member. Mr. Tielman has over 30 years experience within Manitoba and Alberta Community Corrections. He occupied various positions, including Area Director Interlake and Island Lake Regions, Probation Officer, Supervisor, and Team Leader.

Pacific Region

Bent Andersen, of Victoria, British Columbia, is re-appointed as a part-time member. He was first appointed to the Board in 2007, and re-appointed in 2010. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Andersen served as Chief Constable of the Oak Bay Police Department, between 1995 and 2007. Prior to that, he served 27 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), from 1968 to 1995, and was posted to various locations in Canada. Mr. Andersen retired from the RCMP with the rank of Inspector.

James Alexander Hart, of Vernon, British Columbia, is appointed as a full-time member. Prior to entering political life, Mr. Hart worked in the broadcasting industry as radio host, television host, account executive and radio station manager. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Hart was a Consultant, Democracy and Governance Practitioner.  From 1993 to 2000, he was an elected Member of Parliament, and between 2004 and 2011, he was a technical advisor to foreign parliaments and governments.

Wayne J. Oster, of North Vancouver, British Columbia, is appointed as a full-time member.  Mr. Oster was Executive Director of the Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light.  From 1995 to 2006, he occupied various executive positions with the Correctional Service of Canada, including Area Director and Associate Director, Community Corrections. 

Quebec Region

Richard Bélisle, of Longueuil, Quebec, is appointed as a full-time member. He was first appointed to the Board in 2011 as a part-time member.  From 2007 to 2011, he was a member and vice-chairperson of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority. He has held various executive positions with the Government of Quebec, Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail. From 1993 to 1997, he was an elected Member of Parliament (LaPrairie).

Steven Dubreuil, of Montreal, Quebec, is re-appointed as a part-time member. He was first appointed to the Board in 2010. Mr. Dubreuil enjoyed a 20-year career with National Defence. He has occupied various positions, including, Base Operations Officer and Commanding Officer. Prior to joining the Board, he held the position of Commanding Officer of a reserve reconnaissance regiment on a part-time basis.

Michel Lafrenière, of Drummondville, Quebec, is re-appointed as a full-time member. Mr. Lafrenière was first appointed to the Board in 1986, re-appointed in 1991 and again in 2008. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Lafrenière, a lawyer, was a Legal Instructor for the Correctional Service of Canada, Quebec Region.  He also has 10 years experience in private practice.

Paul Turmel, of Québec City, Quebec, is appointed as a part-time member. Mr. Turmel previously served as a part-time member of the Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles. Since 1984, he was the Director General, Services Parajudiciaires Autochtones du Québec.

Ontario Region

Simon Chapelle, of Belleville, Ontario, is appointed as a part-time member. Mr. Chapelle is the President of Chapelle Group Inc., specializing in policy analysis, business development, project management, mediation, and consulting services.  From 2007 to 2009, he was Associate Director, Business Development at Bell Aliant Regional Communications. From April 2001 to March 2002, he was part of the leadership organization team (Northern Ontario) for the Minister of Finance, and Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

Louise Harris, of Bath, Ontario, is re-appointed as a full-time member. She was first appointed to the Board in 2010. Prior to joining the Board, Ms. Harris was the Director of Public Affairs for the Ontario Bar Association. Between 1995 and 2005, she worked for the Ontario Government, holding various positions, including Chief of Staff to the Minister of Transportation.

Derek McElveny, of Brantford, Ontario, is appointed as a part-time member. He was first appointed to the Board as a full-time member in 2010. Mr. McElveny has over 30 years experience in policing. From 2004 and up to his current appointment to the Board, he was Chief of Police for the Brantford Police Service. He also served on the Board of Directors with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and was Treasurer for the Board of Directors for the Victim Services of Brant.

Brian J. Mullan, of Ancaster, Ontario, is re-appointed as a part-time member.  He was first appointed to the Board in 2010. He is also a member of Ontario's Judicial Appointment Advisory Committee. Mr. Mullan has been a career police officer for over 35 years. He has 12 years experience in command positions, including six years as Chief of Police for the Hamilton Police Service.

Paul A. Sweet, of Grafton, Ontario, is appointed as a part-time member. Mr. Sweet has over 35 years experience working for the Toronto Police Service and the Cobourg Police Service. He has held various ranks, including Cobourg Chief of Police.

Information:
Caroline Douglas
Director of Communications
Parole Board of Canada
613-960-1856
www.pbc-clcc.gc.ca

Date modified:

2015-12-02