Tim Sale was appointed as Minister of Health in October, 2004, following two years as Minister of Energy, Science and Technology. He also served as a member of Treasury Board and chaired the Healthy Child Committee of Cabinet. His 25 years experience in management included five years of senior management experience in government. Tim served as an Assistant Deputy Minister of Education, Senior Policy Analyst for the Manitoba Government in the Finance Department, CEO of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. Tim received his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Theology degrees from the University of Toronto. A Minister of the Anglican Church of Canada, Tim served two terms as a trustee for the Fort Garry School Division, and eight years on the board of the United Way of Winnipeg. Tim and his partner Irene Rainey live in Fort Garry where their now children attended public school and the University of Manitoba.
Mr. Bill Traverse Representing Aboriginal
Bill Traverse is a Political Advisor to Grand Chief Ron Evans at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. He is Anishinaabe (Ojibway) born in Dauphin River First Nation, Manitoba. He Spent 10 years at residential school before returning home to Kinonjeoshtegon (formerly Jackhead) First Nation, where he served as Chief for twenty years. He then served a term as Grand Chief for the Southern Chiefs Organization for Manitoba; where he was very instrumental in setting up the organization.
Mrs. Radhika A. Abeysekera
Representing Buddhism
Mrs. Radhika Abeysekera, the founder of the Manitoba Buddhist Vihara, began teaching and writing books on the Buddha Dhamma (Buddha's teaching) to help re-introduce Buddhism to immigrants in non-Buddhist countries. She has been teaching the Dhamma for over eighteen years. Her books are designed in such a manner that a parent or educator can use them to teach Buddhism. Her books are also designed to foster understanding of the Dhamma among non-Buddhists
Bishop Donald D. Phillips
Representing Christianity
Donald Philips, born and raised in London, Ontario, graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1981 for the Diocese of Athabasca. In 2000 he was elected as 12th Bishop of Rupert's Land. For the past 15 years he has been interested in the development of new forms of local ministry with an emphasis on the priority of the Ministry of the Laos. He has developed a keen interest in physical fitness over the years and still teaches a step aerobic class at the downtown YMCA in Winnipeg
Pandit Venkat Machiraju
Representing Hinduism
Pandit Venkat Machiraju is the priest at the Hindu Society of Manitoba and Raj Pandey Hindu Centre. He has been in Winnipeg for the past year serving as a priest. Prior to this he was the priest in Regina for the Hindu Samaj of Southern Saskatchewan for nine years. He is well - read on all of the world religions and enjoys expressing the similarities of the world religions.
Mr. Naseem Mahdi
Representing Islam
Naseem is the National President and Missionary Incharge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Canada. He is a graduate from the Ahmadiyya Islamic University, Pakistan, former President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Communities in Switzerland, Austria and Italy. He is a recipient of the Governor General's Award for Community Service, Chair of Ahmadiyya Gazette and President and CEO of Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA), Canada. He planned and supervised the construction of Bai'tul Islam, the largest Mosque in North America in Maple, Ontario
Rabbi Lawrence M. Pinsker Representing Judaism
Rabbi Lawrence Michael Pinsker, a native of Chicago, Illinois, was o r d a i n e d b y t h e Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Rabbi Pinsker holds degrees from Antioch College and Temple University in Philosophy and Religion. A popular speaker on Judaism in programmes of interfaith dialogue, he reportedly still has thousands more of books and other materials awaiting shipment to Winnipeg. In 2001 Rabbi Pinsker received the degree of Doctor of Divinity Honoris causa for twenty-five years of service to the Jewish community.
Dr. Mohindar Singh
Representing Sikhism
Mohindar Singh has had an active and successful career in the field of education as a teacher, consultant, psychologist and administrator. Mr. Singh is well known for his volunteer services to families in distress and youth at a cross roads. He has been a member and chair of various committees and organizations. At present, he is the President of the National Association of Canadians of origin in India and Executive Director of the Multicultural Educational Enterprises Inc. Currently, he is a member of National Advisory Council on Aging a Public Health Agency of Canada.
