The Power of Parenting

Sunday, 18 October 2020


Board of Advisors

Board of Advisors

  • Ronald Barr, MA, MDCM, FRCP(C)
  • Yvonne Blanchard, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Council for the Family
  • Leanne Boyd, R.S.W., M.S.W., Advanced Certificate in Community Child/Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Ann Douglas, Author, Parent Educator
  • Peter Dudding, M.M., M.S.W., R.S.W.
  • Robert Glossop, Ph.D.
  • Joan Grusec, Ph.D.
  • Daniel P. Keating, Ph.D.
  • Nicole Letourneau, Ph.D., RN
  • Janice MacAulay, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada)
  • Carol Matusicky, Ph.D. 
  • J. Fraser Mustard, M.D., FRCP (C), Ph.D.
  • The Honourable Landon Pearson, Senator, Government of Canada
  • Marjolaine Siouï, Coordinator, Early Childhood Sector, First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission
  • Richard E. Tremblay, Ph.D.
  • David W. Young, B.A., B.S.W.


Ronald Barr, MA, MDCM, FRCP(C)

Dr. Ronald Barr is the Canada Research Chair in Community Child Health Research at the University of British Columbia, Professor of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC, and Director of the Centre for Community Child Health Research at the BC Research Institute for Children’s and Women’s Health. In addition, he is the Director of the “Experience-based Brain and Biological Development” Program of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Both his clinical work and research have focused on the needs of infants and young children. He is well-known for his studies on the biological and behavioral determinants of behavior, including pain, behavioral state and crying, cognition and memory, as well as for the outcomes of early clinical manifestations of these behaviors for later development (temperament, reactivity).

Yvonne Blanchard, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Council for the Family

Yvonne Blanchard heads an umbrella provincial organization of over thirty member agencies promotes prevention and early intervention services for families through community partnerships and public education programs. Prior to joining the Council in 1994, Yvonne worked with the City of Halifax Social Planning Department for 17 years in the fields of community development, granting, research, and child welfare. In addition to her professional work, Ms. Blanchard has volunteered with provincial and national organizations, serving in board and executive positions. In 2003, she was presented with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in recognition of her service to the Child Welfare League of Canada, “ Working Together for Canada’s Children.” Ms. Blanchard earned her Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University and has a diploma in Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario.

Leanne Boyd, R.S.W., M.S.W., Advanced Certificate in Community Child/Adolescent Psychiatry

Leanne Boyd is the Manager of Policy Development, Research and Evaluation at the Healthy Child Manitoba Office (HCMO). She has worked for the Manitoba government for the past 27 years on improving the lives of children, youth and families. Leanne has also been involved on numerous Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) committees over the past 15 years, and currently cochairs the Child and Adolescent Task Group of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health and Health Security. One of the original members of the National Children’s Agenda Working Group, Leanne continues to work on the F/P/T Early Childhood Development Working Group and its sub-committees, representing Manitoba and the ACPHHS sector.

Ann Douglas, Author, Parent Educator

A much sought after parent educator and speaker, Ann Douglas is an award-winning journalist and the author of 27 books, including The Mother of All Pregnancy Books, The Mother of All Baby Books, The Mother of All Toddler Books, The Mother of All Parenting Books, and The Mother of All Pregnancy Organizers. She is also the co-author (with John R. Sussman, M.D.) of two other highly respected pregnancy books: The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby and Trying Again: A Guide to Pregnancy After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss. Ms. Douglas is widely recognized for her ability to both entertain and inspire her audiences and to speak to the issues that are of greatest concern to parents today. She is known for her lively anecdotes and real-world advice. Ms. Douglas makes frequent appearances on both radio and television and contributes to parenting publications on both sides of the border.

Peter Dudding, M.M., M.S.W., R.S.W.

Peter Dudding serves as the Executive Director of the Child Welfare League of Canada, a position to which he brings 30 years of senior management experience in child welfare, public health and international development. Mr. Dudding also brings a passionate interest in children's services and dedication to improving the quality of life for children and youth. Mr. Dudding has extensive knowledge and experience with children, youth and families at risk and with aboriginal and multicultural communities. His career has included service as the Associate Director of the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa-Carleton, Director of Finance and Administration with the Borough of East York Public Health Unit, Project Director for the Sri Lanka Soya Utilisation Project, Executive Director of the Children's Aid Society of Lanark County and Director of Social Services for the Government of Yukon. He currently serves also as Co-Director of the Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare and a member of the International Development Committee of the Child Welfare League of America. He is a board member of Peacebridges and Ottawa-Carleton Life Skills.

Robert Glossop, Ph.D.

After 30 years of hard work and dedication Dr. Robert Glossop has retired from his position as Executive Director of Programs and Research of The Vanier Institute of the Family, effective immediately.

Dr. Glossop has been with the Vanier Institute since 1975. Through his work he has combined his perspectives as a sociologist and philosopher with his personal interests as a father of two and an active community member. In 2005, Dr. Glossop received the Lawson Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also honoured in 2005 to accept an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Guelph.

A recurring theme of all his work has been the need to understand the rapidly changing social "ecology" in which families live. This ecology includes work, economics, community, health, education and many other factors.
His writings, speeches, and analysis of Canadian research over the years have dealt with a broad range of themes, such as demographic change, family studies programs, adolescent motherhood, parent support programs, taxation policy, community economic development, new reproductive technologies, and child care. His insightful presentations have made him a popular speaker at conferences and seminars across Canada as well as a frequent interview subject for journalists writing on social issues.

Dr. Glossop received his B.A. at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario and his doctorate at the University of Birmingham in England. On behalf of the Institute, he has advised a variety of government departments and national organizations on social policy questions.

Joan Grusec, Ph.D.

Dr. Joan Grusec is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto. She has published numerous articles and an edited book on parenting and has just completed a term as Associate Editor of the journal Developmental Psychology. She is a former Associate Dean for Research in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto and is incoming Chair of the Examination Committee of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

Daniel P. Keating, Ph.D.

Dr. Daniel P. Keating is Director and Research Professor of the Center for Human Growth and Development, and Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Dr. Keating has written extensively on human development, developmental health, and education, particularly on the developmental sources of human diversity and on the prospects for human development in a learning society.

Nicole Letourneau, Ph.D., RN

Nicole Letourneau is full professor in the Faculty of Nursing and a research fellow of the Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy at the University of New Brunswick. In 2007, she was named Canada's premier young investigator for receiving the Peter Lougheed New Investigator award from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. She is also a Canada Research Chair in Healthy Child Development. In 2008, she was named to Canada's Top 40 Under 40 and to "Who's Who in Canada."

Her research program entitled "Child Health Intervention and Longitudinal Development" (CHILD) Studies Program, focuses on developing and testing interventions to support vulnerable children's development, with an emphasis on children's early caregiving environments. She has published results of her research in over 40 refereed journals and books. Dr. Letourneau received her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of New Brunswick in 1991, followed by her master's degree (1994) and PhD (1998), both in nursing, from the University of Alberta. After completing postdoctoral studies in 2003, she was presented with the Outstanding New Investigator in Research Award from the Canadian Association for Nursing Research and the Alumni Horizon Award for early achievement from the University of Alberta. She has been a member of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research New Investigator Network, CIHR's Institute of Gender and Health Institute Advisory Board, and CIHR's Population Health Review Committee.

Janice MacAulay, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada)

Janice MacAulay enjoyed many years working with families at a community-based family resource program in Ottawa, before taking a position with the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada) where she is currently the Executive Director. She holds the designation of Certified Canadian Family Educator (CCFE). Her research activities at FRP Canada have focussed on issues that are important to family resource practitioners and the families they serve. Particular interests include parenting education, community collaboration, evaluation of community programs, and supporting vulnerable families. Janice is the author of Tensions & Possibilities: Forging Better Links Between Family Resource Programs and Child Welfare (2002).

Carol Matusicky, Ph.D. 

Dr. Carol Matusicky is the former Executive Director of the BC Council for Families (the Council) a provincial, non-profit organization committed to increasing public knowledge and promoting public concern about the well-being of families. Through its Early and Middle Years Division, the Council coordinates several early childhood development programs within BC. Dr. Matusicky is a member of the United Way’s Success by 6 Council of Partners; the BC Medical Association’s Child and Youth Advisory Committee. She is the recipient of the Public Health Association of BC’s President’s Award in acknowledgement of leadership in increasing awareness of the need to support families and children to achieve a healthy society. Carol is the current President of the Vanier Institute of the Family.

J. Fraser Mustard, M.D., FRCP (C), Ph.D.

Dr. J. Fraser Mustard is the founding President and Bell Canada Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Advanced Research, a network that studies complex problems in the sciences and social sciences and involves over 200 researchers in Canada, the United States, Europe, Israel and Japan. He works through the Founders' Network with the individuals who helped build the Institute. Dr. Mustard was the Dean and Vice-President of Health Sciences, McMaster University and is a board member of the Aga Khan University of Karachi.

The Honourable Landon Pearson, Senator, Government of Canada

The Honourable Senator Landon Pearson is a prominent advocate for children. She is Advisor on Children's Rights to the Minister of Foreign Affairs whom she regularly advises on issues concerning children's rights in foreign policy and the impact to Canada's domestic policies on children as a result of our international commitments, notably the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Senator Pearson guided the process of preparing Canada's National Plan of Action for Children, A Canada Fit for Children, in response to the United Nations Special Session on Children. 

June 1st, 2006 marked the official opening of the Landon Pearson Resource Centre for the Study of Childhood and Children's Rights at Carleton University. Carleton's newest adjunct professor, Senator Landon Pearson, is a long-time activist on behalf of children, decided to donate her vast collection of books, papers and reports on children's rights to establish the centre at the University upon her retirement from the Senate in 2005.

Marjolaine Siouï, Coordinator, Early Childhood Sector, First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission

Marjolaine Siouï is currently the Coordinator, Early Childhood Sector, First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission and has also worked as an information officer for the organization. She assumed various positions at the Department of Public Works Canada and the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. She sits on various regional and national committees including the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development and the Conseil de la Famille and presides over the meetings of the First Nations Early Childhood Regional Advisory Committee.

Richard E. Tremblay, Ph.D.

Dr. Richard E. Tremblay is the Canada Research Chair in Child Development at the University of Montreal, and Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Psychology. He is the Director of the Centre of Excellence on Early Childhood Development, and Director of the Research Unit on Psychosocial Maladjustment, a consortium of Laval, and McGill universities and the University of Montreal. Dr. Tremblay is a Molson Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Fellow of the Academy of Experimental Criminology, and a member of the United States' National Consortium on Violence Research.

David W. Young, B.A., B.S.W.

David Young is the Executive Director of Peace Arch Community Services in White Rock, BC. A social worker by training and executive leader by experience, Mr. Young has been a champion of community-based and client-centered approaches in both the public and the voluntary sectors for the past 20 years, many of which resulted in positive changes needed in the areas of child care, family support, community living, adoption and child welfare. Mr. Young has delivered better government, improved community service and positive policy changes with numerous new initiatives in both community and government including accreditation, regionalization, and community inclusion.

Mr. Young is a Founding Chairperson of the newly incorporated National Alliance for Children and Youth (Ottawa), Vice-President of the North American Organization of the Family (Montreal), Co-Chair of the National Children’s Alliance (Ottawa), and serves on the Governing Council of the Alberta Association for the Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Services (Edmonton). He is a certified peer reviewer for the Council on Accreditation (New York) and a former Assistant Deputy Minister with the Government of British Columbia.