Clockwise from top left: Buffy Sainte-Marie, singer/songwriter and VIU honorary doctorate; Diane Lafleur, VIU’s new Deputy Minister University Champion and Associate Deputy Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Dr. Ralph Nilson, VIU’s President and Vice-Chancellor; and Louise Mandell, VIU’s Chancellor.
December 15, 2016 - 12:15pm
Diane Lafleur of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada will help strengthen links between the federal government and the University
Vancouver Island University (VIU) has a new champion.
Diane Lafleur, Associate Deputy Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), has been named VIU’s Deputy Minister University Champion.
Ms. Lafleur’s appointment is part of the Deputy Minister University Champion Initiative, which now includes VIU as a member.
The initiative, launched in 2002 by the Canada School of Public Service, aims to strengthen links between the federal government and Canadian universities. The role of Deputy Minister University Champions includes fostering relations and identifying shared priorities between the federal government and universities; aligning university research and curricula with public service priorities; and building awareness of career opportunities in the federal public service.
“I am honoured to be named the Deputy Minister Champion for Vancouver Island University,” says Ms. Lafleur. “I look forward to working together to identify opportunities to build stronger linkages between the public service and the University through initiatives such as the Government of Canada's Public Servant-in-Residence Program.”
Ms. Lafleur recently visited VIU for the first time. She toured the Nanaimo campus, met with President Dr. Ralph Nilson and other VIU administrators, and attended the awarding of an honorary doctorate of laws for legendary singer/songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.
“As Associate Deputy Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, I would like to acknowledge the commitment the University has shown towards reconciliation,” says Ms. Lafleur. “Your collaboration with Indigenous communities has led to recruitment of Indigenous staff and faculty, and the creation of scholarships, academic programs and services that provide vital support to Indigenous students in their pursuit of post-secondary education.”
“We’re honoured that Ms. Lafleur is VIU’s Deputy Minister University Champion,” says Dr. Nilson, the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Our involvement with this unique program will ensure that VIU’s faculty, staff and students are aware of federal initiatives, career opportunities and more. It will also be invaluable for us to have a champion in Ottawa with whom we can be in regular contact, and vice versa.”
Ms. Lafleur brings ample experience to her VIU posting. She began her public service career with Finance Canada in 1997 after completing her Master of Arts in Economics and Canadian Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC. She held numerous positions at Finance Canada, including Assistant Deputy Minister of Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy. Ms. Lafleur was appointed as INAC’s Associate Deputy Minister in May 2016.
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