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Appointee Biographies

Health Professions Appeal and Review Board

CHRISTINE MOSS

Christine Moss has been a member of the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board since 2009 and has been a member of the Health Services Appeal and Review Board since 1999. Ms. Moss is a former Senior Consultant of the Health Care, Social Services and Government Consulting Group of Ernst & Young. Ms. Moss is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario. Her community involvement includes volunteering with the Moore Park-Rosedale Community Association and has included serving as a member on the Executive Committee and the Advisory Committee of the Upper Canada College Parent's Organization.

STEPHANE THIFFEAULT

is a Solicitor, Clerk and General Manager of Corporate Services for The Corporation of the County of Lambton. His community involvement includes serving as a Director for Sarnia Girls Hockey Association, and a former Chair for Bluewater Health.

ANNA-MARIE CASTRODALE

Anna-Marie Castrodale is a lawyer. She holds a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and an LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario. She was a partner at the law firm of Lerners LLP. Her community involvement includes serving as a board member for several not-for-profit organizations. She is currently serving as a member of the Waldorf Academy Board of Directors.

BONITA THORNTON

is a Lawyer, Manager, and Military Veteran with extensive government and regulatory experience. She is currently a part-time member of the Military Police Complaints Commission. She previously led the Investigations Department at the College of Physiotherapists and the Law Society of Ontario. Ms. Thornton was a Lawyer and Officer (Rank of Commander) with the Office of the Judge Advocate General, Canadian Forces. She deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2008-2009.

SONIA GAAL

Sonia Gaal is a retired lawyer whose main area of practice was labor and administrative law. She worked for the City of Edmonton and represented the Government of Alberta in labor arbitrations. Ms. Gaal has extensive experience in adjudication as a member of the Alberta Labor Relations Board and the Canada Industrial Relations Board. She was Vice Chair of the Public Service Staffing Tribunal and Vice Chair of the Military Grievances External Review Committee. She was also Director of Human Resources for the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario in Ottawa. Her community involvement includes being a member of the French Languages Services Advisory Committee for the City of Ottawa from 2013 to 2018 and she volunteers since 1996 as a judge for the Laskin, a bilingual moot court competition in administrative and constitutional law. She holds a civil law degree from the Université de Montréal, a Post Graduate Diploma in Labor Law from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Athabasca University.

THOMAS KELLY

Thomas Kelly was formerly a Principal of the law firm of Kelly & Hayes in London, Ontario. Mr. Kelly previously conducted hearings as a Legal Member and Chair of Review Tribunal Hearings under the Canada Pension and Old Age Security legislation and was an Instructor for the Ethics Bar Admission Course. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. He is a member of the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board and a Vice-Chair of the Health Services Appeal and Review Board. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.

VALERIE SAMSON

educated in business management and accounting, has been a successful business woman for over 30 years. She is committed to the various charities for which she has been, or is currently involved such as Women & Childrens Shelter, Barrie Business Improvement Association, YMCA, Georgian College Alumni Association and the Barrie-Huronia Rotary Club. Ms. Samson is a popular public speaker and teacher and has been featured in many newspaper articles, magazines, and various radio and television programs. She has been a recipient of the Ontario Humanitarian Award from Enrich International, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Board of Governors of Georgian College, and a nominee-recipient of the provincial Ontario Premiers Award of Excellence.

KARINA VILNER

Karina Vilner is a former Legal Counsel, Director of Strategic Sourcing for Alzheimer Society of Ontario. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and an Honors Bachelor of Science with Distinction from the University of Toronto. Her community involvement includes serving as a research assistance for the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto.

CATHERINE LOIK

Catherine Loik is a former public health inspector for the City of Toronto. Her community involvement includes serving as a therapy dog handler for St. John’s Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program.

STEPHEN KOVANCHAK

Stephen Kovanchak, of Shuniah, is a former member (part-time), Health Professions Appeal and Review Board and Health Services Appeal and Review Board, a former self-employed Partner (full time litigation practice including legal aid work, family law, personal injury work, criminal law, wills and estates), and a former Small Claims Court Judge, Ontario Government. His community involvement has included serving as a volunteer with the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

BARBARA MELLMAN

Barbara Mellman is former Senior Counsel with the Corporate Law Department of Manulife Financial Corporation, providing legal advice on employment, corporate communications, and corporate governance matters. She has served on the Board of Directors of several not-for-profit organizations, including Vice President of the Board of St. Stephen's Community House. She has also served as a Children's Literacy Mentor with the Toronto Public Library's "Leading to Reading Program". Ms. Mellman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Juris Doctor degree and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the State Bar of Michigan.

WILLIAM GREENAWAY

was Managing Partner at the law firm Donaldson Donaldson Greenaway from 1987 to 2016. He was an adjunct and guest lecturer at the University of Windsor Law School on Insurance Law, Civil Procedure, and Trial Advocacy. In addition, Mr. Greenaway was a member of the Michigan-Ontario Lawyers Association and the Canadian Bar Association. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association, the Essex County Law Association, and the Canadian Defence Lawyers. Mr. Greenaway holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor, and Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Queen's University.

BETH DOWNING

Beth Downing is a graduate of the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar in 1990. In addition to practising law for several years, she has produced continuing legal education programs for lawyers and has been an active volunteer in the community.

CARLA WHILLIER

Carla Whillier is a civil and criminal litigator, whose practice has evolved with a focus on mental health law in the context of forensic and administrative law issues. She has an undergraduate degree from Lakehead University, a law degree from the University of Buckingham (England) and a Master of Laws specializing in Health Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. Ms. Whillier recently completed the Osgoode certificate in Elder Law as well as a certificate program in National and Global Health Law from Georgetown University. Carla is certified as a specialist in Health Law from the Law Society of Ontario. She is an active volunteer with Camp Trillium, and Homes First.

ROB STEELE

Rob Steele has over thirty years of experience in consulting and senior management. Retired from IBM, Mr. Steele's career included roles in marketing, sales, consulting and operations at the executive level. He is active at the leadership level of several local organizations. Mr. Steele holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo.

JEAN BEDARD

Jean Bédard is counsel at Conlin Bedard LLP, in Ottawa. He was the Chairperson of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) until the end of 2020 and was appointed to the CITT as a full-time member in 2014. He was a Deputy-Judge of the Small Claims Court from 2002 until 2014. Called to the Bar in Quebec (1975) and in Ontario (1988), he is accredited as a Civil and Commercial Arbitrator by the Quebec Bar and holds the designation of Qualified Arbitrator granted by the ARD Institute of Canada. Prior to his appointment to the CITT, he practiced corporate and commercial law, both in-house and in private practice in Quebec City, Toronto, and Kingston. In addition to his law degree, he holds an MBA and a LLM in International Business Law. His community involvement includes having served as director of the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario and as Chancellor of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario of the Anglican Church of Canada.

MICHELLE MANN-REMPEL

Michelle Mann-Rempel has been called to the Ontario Bar since 1996. She holds an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa and an LL.M. in the rule of law from Queen's University. Her previous areas of practice include Indigenous law and criminal law. Michelle is a former member of the Parole Board of Canada. She is a former adjunct professor at both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. Michelle served as a Board member of Crime Prevention Ottawa and on the subcommittee on Violence Against Women.

JUNIOR MANDOKO

Junior Mandoko holds a Master of Law degree (LL.M) from Laval University in Quebec, and a specialized Honours degree in international studies, law and social thought from the Glendon Campus of York University. He is a legal scholar, researcher, essayist and author of two books on human rights, women's rights, international humanitarian law, international criminal justice, sustainable development and food security. He was recently appointed as a member of the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee. He has worked for the federal government and teaches at Collège Boréal. He is a member of several Francophone boards of directors in the Toronto region. He is a recipient of the 2023 Relève ON prize. He speaks French and English.

MARK GORDON

Mark Gordon is a part-time Vice-Chair with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) and a part-time Member of the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board. Prior to this, Mr. Gordon guided and supported clients in the management and accommodation of injuries and disabilities in the workplace and represented clients in matters before both workers' compensation boards and tribunals throughout Canada. He is licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Paralegal and holds a Honours Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph.

DIANA SMITH

Diana Smith serves as a member (part-time) for the Ontario Review Board, and a wellness consultant for Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. Her community involvement includes volunteering with the Barrie Rotary Club.

MITCHELL TOKER

Mitchell Toker holds BA and LLB degrees combined with years of policy and public affairs experience in government, government agencies and the private sector. Executive leadership roles within Ontario’s health care sector, include: The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, The Ontario Cabinet Office, responsible for health and social policy, Cancer Care Ontario, LifeLabs Medical Laboratories, The Central Local Health Integration Network. Mitchell lives in Toronto with his spouse, Alexandra, their son, Luca and dog, Abby.

CHERYL CRAIG

Cheryl offers a broad range of experience, having owned, and operated successful businesses and worked on many public and private Boards and Committees in business, education, health care and sports in appointed, elected and volunteer roles. Cheryl was appointed Chair of the Halton District Health Council, lobbied MPP's for Long Term Care beds and other Quality of Life programs for Burlington Seniors, elected to the Board of CUNA Credit Union/First Ontario Credit Union, elected President, Burlington Chamber of Commerce, recruited to represent Ontario Chamber of Commerce to make presentations regarding business matters to MPP’s at Queen’s Park, and elected a Public School Board Trustee for the Halton District School Board. Cheryl is simultaneously Chair of HDHC and a HDSB Trustee and established an early identification and remediation speech therapy program for children before they entered kindergarten. Cheryl is the recipient of the Canada 125 Medal for community work.

JAMES MINNS

James Minns is a mediator, arbitrator, adjudicator, and appraisal umpire with Global Resolutions Inc. where he helps those involved in a wide range of commercial disputes resolve their differences in an efficient, cost-effective way through facilitated mediation, arbitration, adjudication and property appraisals. James works with parties to hear matters from across Canada and internationally. James is a Deputy Judge with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Small Claims Court. He also serves as a Member of the Fire Safety Commission and as a Certified Adjudicator under the Ontario Construction Act (ODACC) and is a Mediator and Arbitrator with the Sports Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC). James received his LL. B from the UWO and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1982. He was awarded an M.B.A. from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Business in 1995 and in 2002 a Master of Law in Intellectual Property from Osgoode Hall School at York University.

TERESA WALSH

Teresa Walsh’s professional career spans nearly four decades. From 2013 to 2021, she was a member of TD Bank Group’s Legal Disputes and Investigations team. From 1996 to 2013, Ms. Walsh was a litigator at two pre-eminent Toronto firms, where she represented clients in a broad range of commercial, professional negligence, personal injury, and product liability disputes. Ms. Walsh holds an LL.B and an LL.M from Osgoode Hall Law School. Prior to embarking on her legal career, Ms. Walsh worked in television production at CBC News and later, MuchMusic. Ms. Walsh’s volunteer work includes facilitating an English as a Second Language program and providing financial and hands-on support to various community food programs in Toronto.