FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2004-04-22

Vice-Chairperson Appointed to SCC Governing Council

OTTAWA - The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is pleased to announce the appointment by the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada and for the Regions of Quebec, of Daniel Gagnier as the Vice-Chairperson of the SCC's governing council.

"The Standards Council of Canada will benefit from Mr. Gagnier's perspective and insight as it continues to encourage governments and industries to make greater use of the National Standards System (NSS) in regulatory activities and trade agreements," said Minister Robillard.

Dan Gagnier brings a wealth of governmental, private sector and standards-related experience to the work of Council.  "Mr. Gagnier's demonstrated experience will be invaluable to the work of the SCC in the coming years, as the SCC and members of the NSS update the Canadian Standards Strategy.  I look forward to working with Mr. Gagnier in his new capacity as Vice-Chairperson" added Mr. Hugh Krentz, SCC Chairman.

Mr. Gagnier is also Alcan Inc.'s senior vice president, Corporate and External Affairs. Prior to joining Alcan in 1994, he held a number of positions with the government of Canada, Ontario and Saskatchewan. From 1972 to 1982, he held overseas diplomatic postings in Mexico, Yugoslavia and the United Kingdom. Mr. Gagnier was Executive Director of the Canadian Unity Information Office from 1982 to 1984 after which he was appointed by the Privy Council Office as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Communications). In 1985, he joined the Saskatchewan government as Deputy Minister, Economic Development and Trade.

Mr. Gagnier is also the Chair of the International Organization for Standardization's technical committee on Environmental Management (ISO/TC 207) and Chair of the Strategic Advisory Group on Social Responsibility for ISO. In 2004, Mr. Gagnier was named Chairman, Board of Directors, for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

The Standards Council of Canada is a portfolio of Industry Canada and a Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective use of voluntary standardization. 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 (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The SCC also coordinates and oversees the efforts of the National Standards System and offers a variety of standardization-related programs and services. For more information on the Standards Council of Canada visit http://www.scc.ca or e-mail [email protected].                                                           

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