Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale today announced the appointments of Jocelyne Pelchat and Dr. David Barnard to the board of directors of the Bank of Canada.

“Both bring impeccable credentials and a wide range of experience to their new roles with the Bank of Canada,” said Goodale

Pelchat of Sutton, Quebec, is currently president and CEO of Entreprises Pelchat Moise Inc. She has also had extensive experience in the media industry, and has worked for the National Film Board of Canada, Telefilm Canada and Astral Film Enterprises. Pelchat was the first female publisher of a daily newspaper in Canada, and was publisher of Le Journal de Montréal. She was also vp, dailies, Quebecor. She has been a member of the boards of directors of numerous organizations, including Petro-Canada, Maritime Life Assurance, National Bank Financial and Van Houtte Inc., and is a past chair of the Université du Québec à Montréal.

Dr. Barnard of Regina, Saskatchewan, has served since 1998 as president and vice chancellor of the University of Regina. Previously, he served as vp (administration) and controller of the University and has held numerous academic and administrative positions at universities in Canada and France.

Dr. Barnard currently serves as Chair of the Minister’s Advisory Council on Information Technology in Saskatchewan and sits on the boards of directors of the Canada West Foundation, the Alberta Energy Research Institute and the Canadian Unity Council. He has also served as a founding Board member of both the Petroleum Technology Research Centre and the Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy.