Appointee Biographies

RINKU DESWAL

Rinku Deswal is a lawyer/owner/principal for RD Law Professional Corporation, and an associate lawyer for Bersenas Jacobsen Chouset Thomson Blackburn LLP. Rinku’s community involvement includes formerly serving as a Chair/board member for Peel Crime Stoppers.

PATRICIA PERKINS

Patricia Perkins has over 30 years of political and governance experience. Patricia served as a Durham Regional Councillor for 18 years, including eight years as Mayor of Whitby. She was actively involved in Public Health and Social Services as a member, Vice-Chair and then Chair of the Health and Social Services Committee, dealing with challenging issues such as SARS, downloading of Social Housing and downloading of Paramedic services. Patricia was a member of the Strategic Planning Committee for the Region of Durham - producing and implementing the Region’s first Community Strategic Plan. Following her municipal career, Patricia was elected as a Member of Parliament for the riding of Whitby/Oshawa. Before being elected, Patricia had extensive municipal experience in the Finance Department of the (then) City of Scarborough. Patricia has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Whitby Hydro Corporation, Durham Region Non-Profit Housing, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority.