Appointee Biographies

JIM ARMOUR

Jim Armour is Managing Partner at Summa Strategies Canada, a government relations firm based in Ottawa. He has extensive knowledge of media relations, communications, advocacy, and advertising. Prior to joining Summa, Mr. Armour served as Director of Communications and Marketing at the Canadian Medical Association. He also worked on Parliament Hill from 1994 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2005. Originally from St. John’s Newfoundland, Mr. Armour has a B.A. (Hons) from McGill and a M.A. in Newfoundland History from Memorial University. He also earned his APR accreditation from the Canadian Public Relations Society and has a CAAP designation from the Institute of Communication Agencies. Outside of the office, Jim serves on the boards of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Ottawa Convention Centre, Eating Disorders Nova Scotia, and the Gambling Research Exchange of Ontario. He also sits on the editorial board of the international Journal of Communication in Healthcare.

JAGDEEP PERHAR

Jagdeep Perhar is a broker for Royal LePage Team Realty, and the President of Multicorp Realty and he is partner in Irish Hills Golf and Country Club. His community involvement includes serving as a board director for Barrhaven Business Improvement Area (BIA) and president of Advisory Council of India Canada Ottawa Business Chamber (ICOBC). He has served as President of India Canada Association, Chair of India Canada Ottawa business Chamber and board of director of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation.

FRED SHERMAN

Fred Sherman is a principal of Hill Solutions Public Affairs through which he helps organizations and individuals motivate action, build relationships, and influence behaviors. Since 2000, Fred has taken on a number of national scale Government of Canada change management assignments including with National Defence, Health Canada, the Public Service Commission. Treasury Board, and the Parliament of Canada. He has advised political stakeholders including federal and provincial cabinet ministers, senators, standing committee chairs and municipal councilors. He has guided professionals on career transitions; trained Canadian teachers for international deployment, and military Public Affairs Officers for strategic communications capability. As active volunteer, Fred’s service on boards includes the Social Planning Council of Ottawa; Leadership Ottawa; the University of Windsor and the United Way. He was a proud steward of a University of Ottawa Law Faculty Endowment Fund; and enjoys coaching youth basketball in the Gloucester Cumberland Basketball Association. Fred Sherman is a graduate of the University of Windsor (Social Science); and was valedictorian of a University of Ottawa Senate and Board of Governors’ leadership practicum.

YILONG MA

Yilong Ma, of Ottawa, is a Broker with Coldwell Banker Sarazen Realty. Yilong’s community involvement has included serving as a member of the Chinese Community Association of Ottawa.

KENT SMITH

Kent Smith, is a Partner in the Tax Line of Service at PwC, working in the Ottawa office. Kent is a business advisor at PwC and leads the Ottawa Tax Incentives Practice. Kent has more than 25 years of public accounting experience and has worked with a variety of organizations to develop a deep technical knowledge of the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program. Kent graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa with a BComm in 1993, and he earned his CA (now CPA) designation in 1996. Kent was inducted into the International Knightly Order of St. George (orderstgeorge.ca) on October 13, 2012. In 2007, Kent was recognized by the Ottawa Business Journal as one of city’s “Forty Under 40,” an award that recognizes business people under the age of 40 who balance bottom line results with a desire to participate in charitable and community activities.

PAUL-EMILE CLOUTIER

Paul-Emile Cloutier resident of the City of Ottawa, has held senior executive positions across a wide range of sectors, including communications, political and public policy strategy, public affairs, transportation, health, health research, and international relations. Has served both the federal and Ontario governments at political and bureaucratic levels. Fluently bilingual and holding a Master Health Administration as well as a Master of Political Science. Paul-Emile has built a strong reputation in strategic leadership, communications, government and stakeholder relations, problem-solving, and enhance the organization profile. This effort has influenced both public policy and public opinion. Strategic in his approach was able to secure $450 million in public funding for hospital-based research centres during the initial phase of the COVID-19. A dedicated community leader, Paul-Emile has served on numerous boards both and international.

CLAUDINE COURTOIS

Claudine Courtois is a bilingual governance and corporate affairs professional with over 15 years of experience in the federal government, Crown corporations, and the Senate of Canada. Trained in both civil and common law, she brings deep expertise in governance, risk management, and strategic communications. As Director of Parliamentary Affairs to Senator David Wells, she leads policy, legislative, and stakeholder engagement on national economic and environmental issues. Her prior roles include Manager of Government Affairs at Canada Post, Policy Adviser to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and articling with the House of Commons Law Clerk. Ms. Courtois holds law degrees from Université de Montréal and a B.A. (Honours) degree in political science from the University of Guelph, with a strong record of leadership in public governance and institutional accountability.

KYLE LAMBERT

Kyle Lambert is a partner in the advocacy and employment group at McMillan LLP, based in Ottawa, Ontario. He specializes in dispute resolution, construction, infrastructure, and employment law. In his construction practice, he works with contractors, OEMs, and owners across a wide range of dispute proceedings, and frequently advises parties involved in P3 and large infrastructure projects on risk management and dispute avoidance. In his employment law practice, he assists employers in navigating statutory obligations, workplace disputes, and investigations. Kyle is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, where he earned a Bachelor of Social Science, and Queen’s University, where he obtained his Juris Doctor. Beyond his legal practice, he serves on the Board of Directors of Digital Public Square, an Ontario non‑profit corporation, and previously served on the Board of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. He is also an active community volunteer, coaching rugby with the Bytown Blues and hockey with the Ottawa West End Wolverines.