DIRECTORS

• Brian Burke, Secretary-Treasurer, is a semi-retired minister of the United Church of Canada. Previously, he was a researcher in the office of Canada’s Prime Ministef znd worked in the Department of Finance and the Small Business Secretariat. After ordination, Brian served congregations in rural Saskatchewan and the lower mainland of British Columbia. He now resides in Burnaby.
• Norman Farrell, President, is a North Vancouver resident and former accountant and small business manager. He has published IN-SIGHTS.CA since 2009, providing commentary on political and social issues.
• Gwen Johansson, Director served 22 years on the municipal council of Hudson’s Hope, including six years as Mayor. She was on several energy-related provincial bodies, including the BC Hydro Board of Directors, the BC Energy Council, Northeast Energy & Mines Advisory Council, and others. Gwen now lives in Prince George.
• Calvin Roskelley, Director, is a Professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences at University of British Columbia’s School of Medicine. His laboratory investigates how the functions of genes are co-opted during the progression of certain cancers. Dr. Roskelley is a Vancouver resident who writes regularly about subjects beyond his scientific interests.
• Laila Yuile, Vice-President, is the long-time publisher of WESTCOAST VIEWS WITH LAILA YUILE. Based on Vancouver Island, she is a small business manager and End of Life Guide. Laila specializes in case management and community advocacy for seniors and their families while navigating the healthcare system on Vancouver Island.

ADVISORS AND CONTRIBUTORS:

• Patti Bacchus was named as one of BC’s Top 100 Influential Women by the Vancouver Sun and twice named to Vancouver Magazine’s “Power 50” list. Patti is a public education and social justice advocate who was the longest-serving chair of the Vancouver School Board.
• Ken Boon is a trapper, hunting guide, pilot, farmer, campground owner/operator, and he is involved in log home construction. Ken is currently President of the Peace Valley Landowner Association.
• Alison Creekside is a coastal resident who began blogging in 2005, when blogs were a popular tool for sharing personal knowledge, opinions, concerns, and experiences. She maintains a broad interest in public affairs and describes herself as a “rural curmudgeon.”
• Lew Edwardson has had a long interest in public integrity and accountability. He is an articulate media critic and advocate for greater transparency in government.
• Bob Fedderly is a businessman and owner of Fedderly Transportation Ltd. in northeast British Columbia. He is a former independent candidate for the BC Legislature.
• Alan Forseth was born in Vancouver, raised in Williams Lake and a Kamloops resident since the 1990s. He has been active in local, provincial and federal politics. He is currently the secretary of a BC Conservative riding association
• Samir Gandesha has been a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California at Berkeley (1995-97) and an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at the Universität Potsdam (2001-2002). He is currently a Professor in Simon Fraser University’s Department of the Humanities and the Director of the Institute for the Humanities at SFU.
• Sanjiv K. Gandhi is certified by professional organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Most recently, he was Clinical Professor of Surgery at UBC School of Medicine and Chief of Pediatric Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at British Columbia Children’s Hospital (2010-2023). He has extensive experience working in both the Canadian and U.S. healthcare systems and is passionate about healthcare reform and the promise of truly universal care.
• Gary Gumley of White Rock is a small business owner and former educator. He pioneered online tutoring and digital learning initiatives in BC and established the White Rock Festival of Lights. Gary is Director of the White Rock Homeowners and Taxpayers Society, a group focused on community collaboration and transparency in municipal finance.
• Randy Hadland is an activist who has worked tirelessly to protect the Peace River Valley. His interests include energy planning, efficient homes, agricultural soil health, and sustainable crop production.
• Arzeena Hamir is a business owner, organic farmer, and community leader with a deep commitment to Vancouver Island. She was the Director for Area B in the Comox Valley Regional District from 2018 to 2022 and gained invaluable insights into the political landscape of British Columbia.
• Jim Hanson, North Vancouver District Council member with law degrees from the University of British Columbia and Oxford University. Jim held leadership positions with the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C. and the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch).
• Bill Henderson is a long-time forest and climate activist who lives on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast and has written for Resilience.org, a program of the Post Carbon Institute, The Hill Times, Ricochet and several other publications.
• Ken Holowanky was an independent candidate in Coquitlam-Maillardville during BC’s 2024 election. Ken advocates increased co-operation between schools and industry to build a more stable and knowledgeable workforce. He is interested in local government issues and energy matters, particularly private power production in British Columbia.
• Maurine Karagianis served 9 years as a municipal councillor, 3 years as a ministerial assistant in the BCNDP government and 12 years as an elected member of the B.C. Legislature. As a Vancouver Island MLA, she was critic for shipbuilding, transportation, women’s issues, childcare, and early learning.
• Seth Klein, policy consultant, speaker, researcher, writer, and Director of Strategy with the Climate Emergency Unit.
• Pat McCutcheon of Cloverdale is a retired professional engineer and a business consultant with a manufacturing specialty. He is a former BC Green Party candidate for the BC Legislature with several interests, including healthcare, education, and the toxic drug crisis.
• Chris Merrick is a retired national union representative living in Campbell River. He has extensive knowledge of labour relations, arbitration, mediation, and organizing both in the public and private sectors. Chris is interested in a broad range of social and environmental issues.
• Tom Mommsen is the co-founder of the Southern Gulf Islands-based Salish Sea Renewable Energy Co-op, which advocates for zero-emission energy, makes bulk purchases of solar panels, and arranges inspections, installation and tie-in to the BC Hydro grid. He lives on one of the Gulf Islands.
• George Orr is a documentary filmmaker, former radio and television broadcaster and broadcast journalism instructor. George will serve as MC for many forum sessions.
• Balwinder William (Bill) Sundhu provides trial and appellate advocacy in criminal justice, human rights and civil liberties. In addition to experience in all court levels in Canada, Bill has extensive knowledge of international tribunals and courts. He is motivated by the principle enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Rights – that all human beings are equal in rights and dignity – and believes that words on paper must be translated into meaningful action for all persons.
• Jessica Van der Veen of Victoria is an actor who now teaches at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria BC. She coaches actors across North America and provides career counselling to young performers. As a member of the Dancing Backwards project, Jessica is developing a theatre-based curriculum on democratic processes and the history of Canadian women in politics for the K-12 system.
• Rex Weyler is a journalist, writer, ecologist and teacher. He was a director of Greenpeace Foundation (1974-79) and a founder of Greenpeace International in 1979. Rex is the founder of Hollyhock Educational Centre on Cortes Island and serves on the Advisory Board of the International Bateson Institute, a Sweden-based non-profit foundation for research in ecology, economics, social change, health, education, and art.
• David Zirnhelt is a rancher, President of the Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association, and member of the BC Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB). He was a British Columbia cabinet minister from 1991 to 2001.