Associations
FROM: NOV-DEC 2006 ISSUE
Accounting Leaders
The new president of l'Ordre des CGA du Québec has a clear goal for the coming year: full public practice rights for all CGAs across the country. "The CA monopoly protects large firms, not the public interest," says Michel Laliberté, FCGA. "We need to take our proper place as an accounting association and be known as nothing less than leaders in the accounting profession."
A CGA since 1970, Laliberté obtained his Fellow designation in 2003. He chose CGA because the program matched his personal goals. He still values the flexibility that has always been part of the CGA program of professional studies.
Over the past 10 years he has been giving back to the Association through volunteering. "The goal of my involvement is to have the profession that enabled me to earn a living very honourably benefit in a small way from my experience and to share with new CGAs the pride that I take in being a member of a professional association serving the public interest."
His volunteer experience with the Association began in 1996 when he served as a member of the Performance Indicators Committee. Since then, he has also chaired the Public Practice (2000) and Peer Review (2002-03) committees, and served as president of the Montreal chapter from 1998-1999. He served for two years on the provincial Executive Committee before becoming president this year. In addition, he is a member of the CGA-Canada Board and is part of numerous committees at the national level.
He has been employed as senior associate at Porter Hétu International for over 15 years, and is also on its board of directors. He oversees international development for Porter Hétu, which opened offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Istanbul in 2005. Outside of work and association volunteer commitments, he has also served as vice-president of Epilepsy Canada (1998-2002) and was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 for exemplary service to the community.
His busy schedule leaves little time for hobbies and leisure; however he does enjoy spending time with a good book whenever he can. He was born and raised in Montreal and has lived there for most of his life. He has been married for 33 years to his wife Gladys and they have two children, Pierre and Jennifer, and two grandchildren, Erica and Marilou.
Serving with Laliberté on the l'Ordre des CGA du Québec executive are Pierre Samson, FCGA, first vice-president; Danielle Hébert, FCGA, second vice-president; Denis Riendeau, CGA, treasurer and elected director; Ginette Fortin, FCGA, past president; Huguette Picard, Erg., director named by the Office des professions (professions board); Danielle Blanchard, CGA, president and CEO; and Yvon Gingras, FCGA, secretary.
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Threefold Strategy for New Brunswick
CGA New Brunswick has its eye on a threefold recruitment strategy for the 2006-07 year, according to Francine Jean, FCGA, its new president. Attracting new students into the CGA program is a top priority. CGA New Brunswick will also focus on recruiting employers for CGAs, ensuring that the province's top employers are aware of the advantages of having a CGA on their team, and on recruiting members to volunteer for the organization. CGA New Brunswick also hopes to make its Web site more accessible to members as a communication tool.
A CGA since 2000, Jean is also one of the Association's newest FCGAs — she received her Fellowship award this year. She pursued the CGA program at the advice of an FCGA colleague who convinced her that a CGA designation would open doors to interesting jobs and be a great way to make a living. Six years after her admission to membership, Jean says of her colleague's advice, "She was absolutely right!"
She has volunteered with the Association for nearly 20 years, starting in 1988 when she worked on the creation of a chapter in the New Brunswick town of Restigouche. She was president of that chapter from 1993 to 2000. In 2001, she was elected to the CGA New Brunswick Board of Directors and has been a constant part of the Board since that time. When asked why she became involved in the Association, she replies: "I don't believe in half measures. I understood quickly that the Association was very beneficial to me and I wanted to give back and contribute to its continued growth."
She has been employed by the Restigouche Health Authority since 1990. She worked as manager of financial services until 1993, when a health services re-organization provided her the opportunity to accept the job of health services director for the region. In 2001 she implemented and managed a doctor recruitment program to address the region's shortage of doctors. She was promoted to director of medical services in 2006.
Outside of work, she volunteers as secretary of the Campbellton Rotary Club and sings in the Ars Musica choir. She has lived in Campbellton since 1994. Jean's family includes her son Erik, daughter-in-law Mélanie, and two wonderful grandsons, Jonathan and Thomas.
Serving with Jean on the CGA New Brunswick executive are Leonard Davis, FCGA, outgoing president; Troy Mann, CGA, first vice-president; Pat O'Brien, CGA, second vice-president; Trisha Fournier-Hoyt, CGA, third vice-president; and Jean-Guy Richard, FCGA, treasurer.
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