FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2004-12-21

Appointment of David Fransen to SCC Governing Council

OTTAWA, December 21, 2004 — The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced the appointment of David Fransen as the federal representative to the Board of Directors for the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).

"I am pleased to welcome David Fransen to the Board of Directors. He brings a wealth of experience that will greatly benefit the Standards Council of Canada and will contribute to enhancing standardization as a key element to strengthening technology, innovation and trade in Canada," said Minister Emerson.

Since 1980, Mr. Fransen has held numerous positions in the public service. He initially joined Industry Canada as the Director of Economic Framework Policies, and later became Director General of the Office of Consumer Affairs. At Health Canada, he served as Director General of the Centre for Healthy Human Development, after which he returned to Industry Canada as Associate Assistant Deputy Minister in the Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunication Sector.

Mr. Fransen is currently serving as Industry Canada's Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Sector. He is responsible for all aspects of micro-economic policy, including industrial policy, science and technology policy, investment policy and review, internal trade, economic marketplace framework policy and legislation, and microeconomic research and analysis.

The Standards Council of Canada is a Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective use of voluntary standardization and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Industry. Located in Ottawa, the Standards Council has a 15-member governing council and a staff of approximately 80. It is Canada's representative to the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission. The SCC also coordinates and oversees the efforts of the National Standards System and offers a variety of standardization-related programs and services.

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