FedNor director general Louise Paquette has resigned from the Crown agency to take over the job of CEO of the North East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Writing in a Jan. 4 e-mail circulated to FedNor staff that “it is now time for me to move on,” Paquette said she will be leaving the regional economic development agency Feb. 18, after 12 years.
“This is a very difficult decision. I have been fortunate to work with all of you community-minded people who share my passion and vision for Northern Ontario.
“Together, we have delivered unparalleled results and pushed ourselves and the organization to be the best we could be. There is a great team spirit at FedNor, one that is firmly rooted in strong values and a true sense of commitment.
“I leave this organization with gratitude for the privilege of having worked with an exceptional management team who have both supported and inspired me.”
Paquette wrote she will share her plans for the future upon her return from visiting her daughter in Africa.
Paquette was not available for comment and was said by her assistant Louise Dionne to be travelling.
A replacement has not been named.
Industry Canada officials, the federal department that oversees the Northern Ontario development funding agency, were not immediately available for comment.
Bill Spinney, president of the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations, said he crossed swords with Paquette a few time but always held her in deep regard.
“Personally we have had our differences of opinion but that opinion differed more in the methodology to get to the end result which is better economic opportunities for Northern Ontario.
“I respect her for her passion and dedication as I think she respects the CFDC's that have worked with her for the past 12 years.”
Industry Canada, through FedNor, provides funding support for 61 CFDC's across Ontario, including 24 in Northern Ontario.
A Northern Ontario Business source says Paquette will start her new job at LHIN on March 1.
LHIN is a provincially-funded health services planning agency based in North Bay.
Cynthia Stables, the LHIN's Senior Corporate Advisor, would not confirm or deny that Paquette is the new CEO.
A search for a new CEO started in late fall with interviews held before Christmas. The interviews are complete and the selection process is underway, said Stables.
“There is a candidate in mind.”
LHIN director Terry Tillezek is the current interim CEO.
He assumed the position last July after Remy Boudoin stepped down, who replaced David Murray, the LHIN's first CEO when it was established in April 2006.
Stables said the details surrounding the hiring of the new CEO are still confidential and are being finalized. An announcement is expected in the next couple of weeks.
An executive search firm has been engaged and stakeholder consultation on the hiring criteria for a new CEO was conducted across northeastern Ontario.
“The board was looking for someone who not necessarily had experience in health care but experience in the northeastern Ontario environment (with) a good patient focus, that was a good decision maker, and was aware of the LHIN's operating environment,” said Stables.
Paquette, a Sudbury resident, has a diverse career background, spending 10 years with Gulf Canada in Toronto in moving up to manager of public affairs. She returned to Sudbury and worked as executive director for the Laurentian Hospital Foundation where she helped raise $9 million for the Cancer Care Community Campaign.
She began working for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in 1991 and then with FedNor in 1996.
Among the agency's accomplishment during her tenure, Paquette has overseen FedNor becoming a leading partner in mining technology development with Cambrian College's Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT) and the Ontario Telemedicine Network.
