Louise Simard (politician)

Rose Marie Louise Simard, QC (born April 17, 1947)[1][2] is a lawyer, executive, and former politician in Saskatchewan, Canada. She represented Regina Lakeview (1986–91) and Regina Hillsdale (1991–95) in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan as a New Democratic Party (NDP) member.[1][3]

Louise Simard
In office
October 20, 1986 – June 21, 1995
MLA for Regina Hillsdale
In office
October 1, 1991 – June 21, 1995
Preceded byNew District
Succeeded byDistrict Dissolved
MLA for Regina Lakeview
In office
October 20, 1986 – October 1, 1991
Preceded byTim Embury
Succeeded byDistrict Dissolved
John Nilson (indirectly)
Personal details
Born (1946-04-17) April 17, 1946
Val-d'Or, Quebec
Political partySaskatchewan New Democratic Party
ResidenceRegina, Saskatchewan
ProfessionLawyer

Early life and career

Simard was born in Val-d'Or, Quebec and grew up in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. She is a descendent of Pierre Poitras,[4] a member of Louis Riel’s Provisional government in what is now Manitoba.[5] Her ancestors were active in bringing Manitoba into Confederation in 1870.[5] She is a citizen of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan.

After receiving a BA (Philosophy) in 1969 and LLB degree (Jurisprudence Award) in 1970 from the University of Saskatchewan,[6] Simard articled in Regina and was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1971.[2] In 1974, Simard became the first female Legislative Council and Law Clerk for the province of Saskatchewan.[3] From 1978 to 1986, Simard practiced law in Regina, during which time she served as an agent of the Attorney General of Saskatchewan.[2]

From 1978–83, Simard served as Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. During this time, she was also a consultant to the Government of Saskatchewan on the development of the Matrimonial Property Act, 1980, which gave equal sharing rights to spouses in a marriage,[7] and on the amalgamation of the District Court and the Court of the Queen's Bench.[2][8] From 1982–85, Simard was consumer representative on the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.[6][9] She was one of the first public members appointed to the Medical Council of Canada (1996),[10] and later became the first public member (i.e. non-physician) to become President of the Medical Council of Canada (2002–2003).[10] She was also a non-medical representative on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Nurses Association.[11]

Simard has two children, Paul and Marin, from her first marriage.

Political career

Simard represented Regina Lakeview (1986–91) and Regina Hillsdale (1991–95) in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan as a New Democratic Party (NDP) member.[3] She held numerous ministerial portfolios during this period, mostly notably during her time in the Official Opposition from 1986-1991 as the Opposition Health Critic, as well as the critic for women's issues, SaskPower, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, and the Ombudsman; and in government from 1991-1995 as the Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women (now Minister of Status of Women).[12][13] At the time, Simard was only the second female lawyer to have been elected to serve in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.[2]

As Minister of Health, she was responsible for the strategy, vision, and development leading to a complete reform and restructuring of the health care system in Saskatchewan.[2] She introduced a "wellness" model of health care, which emphasized primary health care and population health goals,[3] converted many small rural hospitals to health centres,[14][15] and established regional health districts and boards.[2] This was a very challenging time for the Government of Saskatchewan following the difficult financial years, near default, and scandals faced by the Grant Devine government,[16] establishment and changes to the The Established Programs Financing Act (EPF) under the Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney governments that reduced federal healthcare funding transfers to the provinces,[17] and Bill C-69 (1990) and Bill C-20 (1991) (Federal Restraint Law) that froze EPF for five years to the end of the 1994–1995 fiscal year and thereafter capped EPF increases to gross national product minus 3 per cent.[18] Simard has been recognized as a leader in the field of health planning.[19]

Simard oversaw numerous other ministerial portfolios while in office, including the Treasury Board, SaskTel, Wascana Centre Authority, Health Services and Utilization Commission, Saskatchewan Cancer Foundation, Health Research Board, Women's Advisory Council, Centre of the Arts, Public Service Commission, and the Mental Health Advisory Council.[20]

Life after politics

Simard resigned from office in 1995 to return to the practice of law and was named Queen's Counsel in 1997.[2] From 2000 to 2003, she was president and Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO)[12] before moving into the role of president and Chief Executive Officer of the Health Employers Association of British Columbia.[2] In 2002, Simard received the Commemorative Medal for the Queen's Jubilee.[2]

Simard dedicated herself to serving on boards, including The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, the Canadian Institute of Health Research Chair in Nursing Human Resources, among others.[9][20] She is a member of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Indigenous Committee. Simard has also served on the Canadian Medical Association Task Force on Physician Supply in Canada and the Canadian College of Health Services Executives.[1]

In 2010, Simard served as Professional Affiliate at the University of Saskatchewan, where she delivered a class on Health Reform at the School of Public Health[20] She was awarded Alumni of Influence that year by the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan.[6]

Simard is an honorary member of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association, a past non-medical representative on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Nurses Association, and a life member of the Saskatchewan Lung Association.[2] Simard is also a recipient of the 2011 Katharine Pearson Caregiver Award from the Victorian Order of Nurses.

In fall of 2018, Simard took the position of Chief Operations Officer at the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) where she focuses on Nation-building.

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References
  1. "Simard, Louise, 1947-". Saskatchewan Archival Information Network. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  2. Mentiplay, Iain A. (2007). Iain A. (2007). A Century of Integrity: The Law Society of Saskatchewan 1907 to 2007. Law Society of Saskatchewan. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-9699120-4-0.
  3. Quiring, Brett (2004). Saskatchewan Politicians: Lives Past and Present. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center Press. p. 211. ISBN 0889771650.
  4. Horan, Eileen. "Obituary of MARY MARTHE "ANTOINETTE" [nee Poitras] SIMARD - She celebrated her 105th Birthday". RootsWeb. Saskatoon Star Phoenix. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  5. Hall, Norma; Hall, Clifford P; Verrier, Erin. "A History of the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia / le Conseil du Gouvernement Provisoire" (PDF). Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  6. "2010 Alumni of Influence". College of Arts and Science. University of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  7. "The Matrimonial Property Act". Act No. M-6.1 of 1 January 1980. Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.
  8. Saskatchewan Archives Board, Court Records
  9. McKenzie-Sanders, Doreen, ed. (2006). Women in the Lead: Qualified Canadian women for board appointment (3 ed.). Vancouver, British Columbia: Women in Leadership Incorporated. p. 666. ISBN 1-55383-129-2.
  10. Vodden, Christy (2008). Licentiate to Heal: A History of the Medical Council of Canada. Medical Council of Canada Press. p. 82. ISBN 9780969016182.
  11. Turgeon, Dana. "SIMARD, ROSE MARIE LOUISE (1947-)". The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. University of Regina. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  12. Turgeon, Dana (2004). Quiring, Brett (ed.). Saskatchewan Politicians: Lives Past and Present. University of Regina Press. p. 211. ISBN 9780889771659.
  13. "Biographies: HEABC Senior Executive Team" (PDF). Health Employers Association of British Columbia. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  14. Cline, Eric (2008). Making a Difference: Reflections from a Political Life. Saskatoon, SK: Thistledown Press. pp. 84–85. ISBN 978-1-897235-45-4.
  15. Decter, Michael B. (1994). Healing Medicare: Managing Health System Change the Canadian Way. McGilligan Press. p. 14. ISBN 0-9698064-1-8.
  16. Bergman, Brian; Eisler, Dale (18 November 1996). "A taint on the Tories". Maclean's. Maclean Hunter Publishing Limited. p. 16-17.
  17. Council on Health Economics and Policy (July 2000). Turning the Tide – Saving Medicare for Canadians: Part I of II – Laying the Foundation for Sustaining Medicare (PDF). British Columbia Medical Association. pp. 12–14.
  18. "Making Medicare – The History of Healthcare in Canada, 1994–2007: The Mulroney Years, 1989–1993". Canadian Museum of History. Government of Canada. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  19. Rachilis, Michael; Kushner, Carol (1994). Strong Medicine: How to Save Canada’s Health Care System. Toronto: HarperCollins. p. 321. ISBN 0-00-255281-7.
  20. "This year's AGM went beyond all expectations". New Board Members infuse CPSI with new energy. Canadian Patient Safety Institute. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
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