Home|Subscribe|Contact Us|Français|Looking glass as a search button

About

About the CCAC

Volunteers 2024-2025

Volunteers are essential to the CCAC’s success. Every year, thousands of scientists, instructors, veterinarians, animal health and welfare experts, and members of the Canadian public contribute their knowledge and skills to our mission. Their hard work and dedication to the ethical care and use of animals in science enables us to carry out key aspects of our mandate related to guidelines setting and maintenance, assessment and certification, and training and networking. We invite you to join other members of our community in making a difference and contributing to the ethical care and use of animals in science across Canada.

The volunteers mentioned below are by no means an exhaustive list. The CCAC would also like to thank all those who participate on institutional animal care committees, review CCAC guidelines documents, and consult with individual certified institutions for their constant commitment and expertise.

Member Representatives

The CCAC’s member organizations each appoint one representative to attend the annual general meeting with the authority to vote on the member organization’s behalf.

Member Representatives
  • Dr. Sylvain Bourgoin | Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada
  • Dr. Philip Byrne | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Dr. Shannon Digweed | Council of Canadian Departments of Psychology
  • Ms. Kathy Duncan | Humane Canada™
  • Dr. Carissa Embury-Hyatt | Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Ms. Grace Feeney | Canadian Bioethics Society
  • Ms. Megan Fuller | Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science
  • Dr. Daniel Graf | Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry
  • Dr. Ashok Jadhav | Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine
  • Dr. Digvir Jayas | University of Lethbridge
  • Ms. Colleen McElwain | Animal Health Canada
  • Dr. Martha Navarro | Health Canada
  • Dr. Tammy Rodela | Canadian Society of Zoologists
  • Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde | Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution
  • Dr. Cathy Schuppli | Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
  • Dr. Céline Ster | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Mr. Scott Unger | Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Dr. Ellen Watkiss | Defence Research Development Canada
  • Dr. Risini Weeratna | National Research Council Canada
  • Dr. Craig Wilkinson | Dean's Council - Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Medicine

Other Member Organizations:

  • Canadian Cancer Society
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
  • Innovative Medicines Canada

Standing Committees

The CCAC’s five standing committees play an invaluable advisory role by providing guidance and recommendations to the board on their areas of expertise.

Assessment and Certification Committee
  • Dr. Scott MacDougall-Shackleton, Chair | Western University
  • Mr. Don Barton | Calgary, AB
  • Dr. Sylvain Bourgoin | Université Laval
  • Dr. Anne-Marie Catudal | Université Laval
  • Dr. Chereen Collymore | Charles River Laboratories
  • Dr. Shannon Digweed | MacEwan University
  • Dr. Marc Ekker | University of Ottawa
  • Dr. Carissa Embury-Hyatt | Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Ms. Grace Feeney | University of Toronto
  • Ms. Francine Giroux | Saint-Simon-de-Bagot, QC
  • Dr. Daniel Graf | University of British Columbia
  • Mr. Andrew Hebda | Saint Mary's University
  • Dr. Ashok Jadhav | Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
  • Dr. Ovidiu Jumanca | Montreal Clinical Research Institute
  • Ms. Aleah McCorry | MacEwan University
  • Ms. Colleen McElwain | Animal Health Canada
  • Dr. Jeffrey Richards, Board Liaison | University of British Columbia
  • Mr. Scott Unger | Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Dr. Ellen Watkiss | Defence Research Development Canada
  • Dr. Risini Weeratna | National Research Council Canada
  • Mr. David Wilton | Woodstock, ON
Finance and Operations Committee
  • Dr. Lucie Côté, Treasurer and Chair | Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  • Dr. Michael Czubryt | St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre
  • Mr. Dan Fryer | VCA Canada
  • Ms. Catherine Rushton, CPA, CA | Belleville, ON
Governance and Nominations Committee
  • Dr. Denna Benn, Chair | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Jean-François Cloutier | McGill University
  • Dr. Richard Dyck | University of Calgary
  • Dr. Michelle Groleau | Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Public Affairs and Communications Committee
  • Dr. Digvir Jayas, Chair | University of Lethbridge
  • Ms. Kathy Duncan | Humane Canada™
  • Ms. Megan Fuller | Innovakine Therapeutics Inc.
  • Ms. Katie Gray | Toronto Zoo
  • Mr. Jamie Hall | University of British Columbia
  • Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde | Laurentian University
  • Mr. Quentin Tsang | Queen’s University
  • Dr. Craig Wilkinson | University of Alberta
  • Dr. Andrew Winterborn, Board Liaison | Queen’s Univeristy
Standards Committee
  • Dr. Martha Navarro, Chair | Health Canada
  • Dr. Philip Byrne | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Ms. Mélanie Denommé | St. Catharines, ON
  • Ms. Leigh Gaffney | University of Victoria
  • Dr. Vanessa Oliver, Board Liaison | University of Calgary
  • Ms. Suzanne Richardson | University of British Columbia
  • Dr. Tammy Rodela | St. Francis Xavier University
  • Dr. Cathy Schuppli | University of British Columbia
  • Dr. Valerie Smid | Health Canada
  • Ms. Céline Ster | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Guidelines Development Subcommittees

Members are selected for their expertise on a specific animal, topic, or practice. These volunteer experts are drawn from both the scientific and animal welfare communities and represent a wide array of knowledge and skills.

Dogs
  • Dr. Cathy Schuppli, Chair | University of British Columbia
  • Dr. Sarah Baert | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Anthony Carr | University of Saskatchewan
  • Ms. Christina de Rivera-Wagar | InterVivo Solutions
  • Ms. Mae Drolet-Giroux | Montréal, QC
  • Dr. Simon Gadbois | Dalhousie University
  • Ms. Jennifer Heathcote | Telemark Veterinary Consulting Inc.
  • Dr. Rebecca Ledger | Langara College
  • Dr. Albert Licollari | Nucro-Tecnics
  • Dr. Alexandra Protopopova | University of British Columbia
Ethics Principles
  • Dr. Andrew Fenton, co-Chair | Dalhousie University
  • Dr. Christopher R.J. Kennedy, co-Chair | University of Ottawa
  • Dr. Marc Cattet | Government of Yukon
  • Dr. Gillian Crozier | Laurentian University
  • Mr. Shawn Eccles | British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • Ms. Karen Gourlay | McMaster University
  • Dr. Mathias Leblanc | Salk Institute for Biological Studies
  • Dr. Georgia Mason | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Yfke Pasman | Toronto, ON
  • Dr. Toolika Rastogi | Humane Canada™
  • Mr. Troy Seidle | Humane Society International
  • Dr. Stephen Sims | University of Western Ontario (emeritus)
  • Dr. Valerie Smid | Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Ms. Monica Tighe | St. Clair College
Euthanasia
  • Dr. Hélène Héon, Chair | Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal
  • Ms. Anik Boileau | Sept-Iles, QC
  • Dr. Philip Byrne | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Ms. Karen Dubé | Laboratoire national de biologie expérimentale
  • Dr. Sylvie Fortier | Université de Montréal
  • Dr. Shereen Hamza | University of Alberta
  • Dr. Jessica Hutta | McGill University
  • Dr. Céline Isaaz | Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
  • Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk | University of Lethbridge
  • Ms. Madeline Klaver | Amgen British Columbia Inc.
  • Dr. Joanna Makowska | University of British Columbia
  • Dr. Michelle Reichert | Charles River Laboratories
  • Dr. Timothy Ryan | McMaster University
  • Dr. Cathy Schuppli | University of British Columbia
  • Dr. Keith Sharkey | University of Calgary
  • Mr. Scott Smith | Ottawa, ON
Farm animals
  • Dr. Ed Pajor, Chair | University of Calgary
  • Dr. Akilu Alemu | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Dr. Bettina Bobsien | Galiano Veterinary Services
  • Dr. Anna Bolinder | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Stephanie Collins | Dalhousie University
  • Dr. Sylvie Fortier | Université de Montréal
  • Dr. Deborah Johnston | TELUS Agriculture Solutions Inc.
  • Dr. Emma McGeough | University of Manitoba
  • Ms. Annie Pelletier | Université Laval
  • Dr. Kathryn Proudfoot | University of Prince Edward Island
  • Dr. Frank Robinson | University of Alberta
  • Dr. Céline Ster | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt | Université de Montréal
  • Dr. Ines Walther | Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Dr. Frank van der Meer | University of Calgary
Ferrets
  • Dr. Rachel Vistein, Chair | Western University
  • Dr. Logan Banadyga | University of Manitoba
  • Dr. Mariana Baz | Université Laval
  • Ms. Jaselyn Becz | University Health Network
  • Ms. Meghann Cant | BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • Ms. Stéphanie Grenon | Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  • Dr. Jennifer Kylie | Charles River Laboratories
  • Dr. Stéphane Pillet | Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec – Université Laval
  • Dr. Valerie Smid | Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Mr. Kevin Tierney | Public Health Agency of Canada
Fish
  • Dr. Steven Cooke, Chair | Carleton University
  • Mr. Donald Barton | Calgary, AB
  • Dr. Tillmann Benfey | University of New Brunswick
  • Dr. Paul Craig | University of Waterloo
  • Dr. David Deslauriers | Université du Québec à Rimouski
  • Dr. Ian Forster | Centre for Aquaculture and Environmental Research
  • Ms. Leigh Gaffney | University of Victoria
  • Dr. Chris Harvey-Clark | Dalhousie University
  • Dr. Christine MacWilliams | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Ms. Alicia Mehlenbacher| Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Dr. Jon Midwood | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Dr. Trevor Pitcher | University of Windsor
  • Ms. Émilie Proulx | Université Laval
  • Dr. Simon Reader | McGill University
  • Dr. Sean Rogers | Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
  • Mr. Jason Treberg | University of Manitoba
  • Dr. Shona Whyte | University of Prince Edward Island
Hamsters and Guinea Pigs
  • Dr. Coral Murrant, Chair | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Michael Antle | University of Calgary
  • Ms. Kate Cooper | National Farm Animal Care Council
  • Dr. Aurore Dodelet-Devillers | Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  • Ms. Andrea Dubuc | Saint-Bruno, QC
  • Ms. Nicole Fletcher | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Martha Navarro | Health Canada
  • Dr. Lee Niel | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Timothy Regnault | University of Western Ontario
  • Ms. Andrea Smida | University of Saskatchewan
  • Ms. Julie Todd | Health Canada

Other Projects

Subject matter experts are appointed to focus on specific issues and provide guidance to the board.

Animal Use Data Consultive Working Group
  • Dr. Lise Phaneuf, Chair | The Centre for Phenogenomics
  • Mr. Jason Allen | Trent University
  • Mr. Danyel Bueno Dalto | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Dr. Philip Byrne | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Ms. Susan Church | Calgary, AB
  • Dr. Jennifer Lapierre | University of Toronto
  • Dr. Lena Levison | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Douglas Morck | University of Calgary
  • Ms. Dyann Powley | Toronto Zoo
  • Dr. Jonathan Spears | University of Prince Edward Island
  • Dr. Andrew Winterborn | Queen's University
Recognition Awards Task Force
  • Ms. Catherine Rushton, CPA, CA, Chair | Belleville, ON
  • Dr. Marc Avey | Canadian Council on Animal Care
  • Dr. Denna Benn | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Sylvain Bourgoin | Université Laval
  • Ms. Megan Fuller | | Innovakine Therapeutics Inc.
  • Ms. Suzanne Richardson | University of British Columbia
Translation Advisory Group
  • Dr. Sylvain Bourgoin | Université Laval
  • Ms. Maryse Dansereau | Université de Montréal
  • Dr. Isabelle Desprez | Western College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Dr. Sylvie Fortier | Université de Montréal
  • Dr. Geneviève Fortin-Simard | Charles River Laboratories
  • Ms. Kristyn Fournier | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Julie Gervais | Institut de recherche en immunologie et en cancérologie
  • Ms. Jennifer Henri | McGill University
  • Ms. Kiana McFadden-Houle | Collège Boréal
  • Dr. Stéphane Ménard | Université de Montréal

Training

National Workshop

The CCAC’s national workshops would not have been possible without the dedication of the following member organization representatives, researchers, animal care committee members and coordinators, and animal health professionals.

  • Dr. Cécile Baccanale | McGill University
  • Dr. Logan Banadyga | Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Ms. Marie Bédard | Ottawa, ON
  • Dr. Kyle Bobiwash | University of Manitoba
  • Dr. Philip Byrne | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Mr. Jamie Hall | University of British Columbia
  • Dr. Ovidiu Jumanca | Montreal Clinical Research Institute
  • Dr. Dominic Lambert | Health Canada
  • Dr. Julie Loiselle | Health Canada
  • Dr. Martha Navarro | Health Canada
  • Dr. Guillaume Pelletier | Health Canada
  • Mr. Matthew Ramsey | University of British Columbia
  • Dr. Michele Regimbald-Krnel | Health Canada
  • Ms. Catherine Rushton | Belleville, ON
  • Dr. Andrew Winterborn | Queen’s University
Virtual Learning Series Webinars
  • Dr. Nitin Bhardwaj | The Hospital for Sick Children
  • Dr. Goldia Chan | Cedars-Sinai
  • Dr. Judith Farley | Université Laval
  • Dr. Stéphane Ménard | Université de Montréal

Members of CCAC Assessment Panels

CCAC assessment panels play the vital role of carrying out visits to institutions participating in the CCAC’s programs.

* Names marked with an asterisk are those of members who have served as chairperson on an assessment panel.

Community Representatives

Community representatives are not required to have any specialized knowledge of animal health or welfare, but rather represent the Canadian public.

  • Mr. Stephen Barber | Ottawa, ON
  • Mr. Don Barton | Calgary, AB
  • Mr. Tim Battle | Edmonton, AB
  • Mr. Martin Cole | Beaverton, ON
  • Ms. Kathy Duncan | Ottawa, ON *
  • Mr. Michel Gélinas | Montréal, QC
  • Mr. Arthur Goldsmith | Arnprior, ON
  • Mr. Andrew Hebda | Maitland, NS
  • Mr. Serge Marquis | Trois-Rivières, QC
  • Mr. Bill McDonald | Winnipeg, MB
  • Mr. Luc Préfontaine | Laval, QC
  • Mr. Jacques Thibault | Bathurst, NB
Scientists

Scientists are selected for their experience and expertise with specific types of animals or experimental procedures.

  • Dr. Clover Bench | University of Alberta *
  • Dr. Catherine Chan | University of Alberta *
  • Ms. Marcia Chiasson | University of Guelph
  • Dr. Jean-Francois Cloutier | McGill University *
  • Dr. Will Costain | National Research Council Canada *
  • Dr. Marc Ekker | University of Ottawa *
  • Dr. Diego Maya Fernandez | University of Saskatchewan
  • Dr. Sherry Hannon | Feedlot Health Management Services *
  • Dr. Scott MacDougall-Shackleton | University of Western Ontario *
  • Dr. Lee Niel | University of Guelph *
  • Ms. Alicia O’Neill | Environment and Climate Change Canada *
  • Dr. Jessica Rock | Dalhousie University
  • Dr. Don Stewart | Acadia University *
  • Dr. Elsa Vasseur | McGill University *
  • Dr. Marianne Villettaz Robichaud | Université de Montréal *
  • Dr. Risini Weeratna | National Research Council Canada
Animal Health Professionals

Animal health professionals are selected for their experience and expertise with specific types of animals or experimental procedures.

Veterinarians

  • Dr. Cécile Baccanale | McGill University *
  • Dr. Marie-Christine Barma-Hamel | Charles River Laboratories *
  • Dr. Dean Sean Brown | University of Calgary
  • Dr. Philip Byrne | Fisheries and Oceans Canada *
  • Dr. Julie Chevrette | McGill University *
  • Dr. Lucie Côté | Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre *
  • Dr. Shawn Davis | University of Toronto, Mississauga *
  • Dr. Aurore Dodelet-Devillers | Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  • Dr. Sylvie Fortier | Université de Montréal *
  • Dr. Carl Gagnon | Université de Montréal
  • Dr. Isabelle Gauthier | University of Lethbridge *
  • Dr. Marie Chantal-Giroux | McGill University
  • Dr. Richard Hodges | University of Manitoba *
  • Dr. Léo Kenny | University of Manitoba *
  • Dr. Lena Levison | University of Guelph *
  • Dr. Michele Martin | University of Victoria *
  • Dr. Shelly McErlane | University of British Columbia *
  • Dr. Badru Moloo | University Health Network *
  • Dr. Timothy Ryan | McMaster University *
  • Dr. Elizabeth Saul | Seneca College
  • Dr. Jonathan Spears | University of Prince Edward Island *
  • Dr. Kurtis Swekla | University of Saskatchewan *
  • Dr. Keri Thomas | University of Saskatchewan
  • Dr. Michael West | Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare *
  • Dr. Craig Wilkinson | University of Alberta
  • Dr. Andrew Winterborn | Queen's University *

Technicians

  • Ms. Kiana McFadden-Houle | Collège Boréal
  • Ms. Nadia Desnoyers | Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
  • Ms. Michelle Cieplak | University of Guelph
  • Ms. Jacinthe Julien | Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault
  • Ms. Vanessa Lalonde | Charles River Laboratories
UP