Appointee Biographies

ANDRÉ LEVESQUE

Dr. Andre M. Levesque has served with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves for 35 years and retired in 2008 at the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In his civilian career, he worked in the area of planning economic development. In 2001, he became a public servant with the Department of National Defence and in 2006 was appointed Director Honors and Recognition for the Canadian Armed Forces. From 2013-2016 he was Director General Commemoration at Veterans Affairs and retired in 2019 as a visiting scholar with the Royal Military College of Canada. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in geography from Carleton University, and completed a Ph.D. in history from the National University of Ireland. He was admitted in the Canadian Who’s Who, and is an Officer of the Order of Military Merit and a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor from France.

MIKE HAFFNER

Mike Haffner was a police officer for Waterloo Regional Police for 31 years, retiring in 2019, as a Superintendent in charge of policing operations for the City of Cambridge and Township of North Dumfries. During his career he was assigned to many different areas including uniform patrol, general investigations, professional standards, major case investigations, and Executive Officer to the Chief of Police. He participated in many community initiatives and championed the victim advocacy case review team allowing community members to review sexual assault investigations instilling transparency and accountability. Mike is an avid golfer and enjoys motorcycle travel throughout Canada and the USA. Mike continues to reside in the Region of Waterloo with his wife.

JEFFREY LAJOIE

Jeffrey Lajoie progressed through the ranks as a firefighter, apparatus driver, Captain and a Platoon Chief at Sault Ste Marie Fire Services from 1987-2020. He sat on decontamination committee, worked with Ontario CBRNE teams. Obtained Fire Officer I and II designations and Hazardous Materials Technician level. He assisted with various recreational hockey teams over period of 19 years mostly as a trainer. He is presently enjoying his retirement after 33 years.

MICHAEL BATEMAN

Michael Bateman is President and CEO of Grade Expectations learning Systems Inc. since 1995. Michael and his wife Karla joyfully raised three children in Etobicoke, they are now 31, 27, 24 and all have successful careers. Sadly, Michael’s wife, Karla died from Pancreatic cancer in 2018. Michael has been involved in helping the homeless in Toronto for the past ten years, through the Out of the Cold program. Over the years Michael has coached both boys and girls hockey through Humber Valley and the Etobicoke Dolphins. Michael remains involved in multiple sports throughout Etobicoke and Muskoka.

ANDREW WILDER

Andrew Wilder, of Ottawa, is a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer of the Canadian Armed Forces. He is also former Collision Reconstruction Team Manager, Marine Officer and Instructor, Media Relations Specialist with the Ontario Provincial Police, and former Risk Management and Ski Patrol with the Beaver Valley Ski Club. His community involvement has included serving as Chief of Staff to the Chancellor - Priory of Canada at St. John Ambulance.

ROCKY J DWYER

Dr. Rocky J. Dwyer, PhD, FRSA, FCPA, FCMA, is an accomplished financial professional and corporate services consultant with more than 40 years of experience shaping program and policy initiatives including the development and implementation of reward and recognition programs at the regional, national, and international levels across public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Dr. Dwyer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bemidji State University (USA), a Master of Science degree in Career and Human Resource Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology (USA), and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organization and Management from Capella University (USA).He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, and the Society of Management Accountants of Canada.

ERNIE HUGHES

Ernie Hughes is a former Materiel, Services, and Fleet Manager for Correctional Services Canada, and a former Major Commanding Officer for the Department of National Defence. Ernie’s community involvement includes serving as Executive Officer (President) with the Royal Canadian Legion, and volunteering with the Order of St. John Ambulance.

KENT MOORE

Kent Moore started his policing career in 1987 with the Shelburne Police Service. He served as a Constable in both uniform patrol and criminal investigations. In 1999 Kent was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 2005 Kent was named as the Chief of Police for the Shelburne Police Service, a position he held until February of 2021. During his career he was awarded the 20 year Police Exemplary Service Medal, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Order of Merit of Police Forces presented by the Governor General. During his 16 years as Chief of Police Kent was a member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. Kent is known to be engaged and invested in the betterment of the community. He was a founding member and active participant in many local committees that informed systems level planning, and regularly volunteered his time through minor sports and other community events.

NAVJOT NANDA

Nav Nanda is currently the Director for a multi-national healthcare company that includes DNA cancer testing. She along with her husband are active community members and are raising their four kids. Her community involvement includes being the founder for her residents Association, where she advocates for local issues in the community. She is the Vice-Chair of We Love Oakville. Nav is also the Coordinator for IACD where she organizes charitable health camps across the globe. Nav is also involved in local school issues and works closely with the School Board Trustees and Superintendents.

JOHN LOCK

John Lock was a paramedic for Toronto Paramedic Service for 35 years, retiring in 2011, as a Deputy Chief. During his career he was assigned to many different areas of the service. He was an operational paramedic, an Operations Superintendent, Operations Commander, Commander of the Communications Centre, Deputy Chief of the Communications Centre (5 years), Deputy Chief of Operations (5 Years), and the last two years of his career as Deputy Chief of Operations Support. John was a director on the board of the Ontario Asssociation of Paramedic Chiefs for a number of years and is still involved as a Senator of the OAPC. John is currently volunteering as a member of PFAC at the Muskoka Algonquin Health Centre and is a member of a number of committees including the Capital Redevelopment Steering Committee. He is also voluntering as a board member and treasurer of Freedom Global Orphananges in Haiti. He is also a Vice Chair of the Fellowship Foundation Board of Canada. John was the chair of the Paramedic Bravery Award committee for 7 years. John and his wife Sue reside in Muskoka and enjoy frequent visits from their 6 grandchildren.

SUSAN TURGEON

Susan Turgeon is a former Teller/Audit Manager for Scotiabank. Her community involvement includes formerly serving as a Campaign Cabinet Chair and Division Chair for Corporations and Business for the Place Called Home fundraising campaign.