OPENING KEYNOTE
The Honourable
Roméo A. Dallaire

Humanity Before Policy -
The Honourable Roméo A. Dallaire

Few speakers inspire the kind of awe reserved for the extraordinarily accomplished LGen Roméo Dallaire. A Canadian icon, he has addressed global audiences and world leaders and will bring his message of humanity before policy to the long term care community.

Drawing on his incredible experiences in the Canadian Armed Forces and his work in Rwanda and Uganda, Dallaire will illustrate the challenges of providing exemplary leadership under difficult, often turbulent circumstances. His riveting stories span topics from posttraumatic stress disorder to conflict resolution to education, yet have the power to resonate with everyday heroes in civilian life. He will outline the most important qualities of leadership and emphasize that these can belong to anyone. You don’t want to miss this memorable opportunity to hear from a true Canadian legend.

The Honourable Roméo A. Dallaire, O.C., C.M.M., G.O.Q., M.S.C., C.D. (Retired) Senator, has had a long and honourable career in Canadian military. He has been invested in the Order of Canada, one of Canada's highest honours, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross in recognition of his exceptional leadership and professionalism. His best-selling book, Shake Hands with the Devil, is a stirring account of his experience as the Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Rwanda, which exposes the failures of the international community to stop the worst genocide in the 20th century.

 KEYNOTE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.

KEYNOTE
Dr. Mark Nowaczynski

An Invisible Population Brought to Light

Physician and photographer Dr. Mark Nowaczynski visits house-bound seniors too frail to go to their doctor’s office, yet not sick enough to require hospitalization. Every workday, he packs up his stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and medical charts and heads out on house calls. Most of his patients are women in their 80s and 90s who live alone in small apartments and houses in North Toronto. Without his efforts, many would be forced to move into retirement or nursing homes, often at great financial, emotional and even physical cost to their long-term health and well-being.

In 1998, Dr. Nowaczynski began to photograph this hidden and vulnerable population in order to raise awareness and advocate for change. His ongoing photo-documentary project has been profiled in national print, radio, and television media and is now the subject of the Gemini Award winning 55-minute National Film Board of Canada documentary film, House Calls.

Together with an interdisciplinary group of community partners, Dr. Nowaczynski promotes aging in place and improves the health and quality of life of seniors by providing ongoing home-based supportive, medical and professional care.

Dr. Mark Nowaczynski is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and is actively involved in teaching, training, and research on geriatric home-based primary care.

 KEYNOTE

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.

KEYNOTE
Dr. Linda Duxbury

You, Me and Them: Generational Differences in the Workforce

Are you working with someone young enough to be your child – or old enough to be your parent? You’re not alone. For the first time in history, the veteran, baby boomer, Gen-X and nexus generations are sharing a workplace – though not necessarily harmoniously.

Canadian researcher Dr. Linda Duxbury has studied this modern phenomenon and has some answers about generational differences. From those born during WWII, to those who grew up during the freedom of the '60s, to those who grew up in the shadow of recession, downsizing and the threat of terrorism, different experiences shape very different people. The definition of “work ethic” varies among this diverse work force and Dr. Duxbury will explain what this means for organizations struggling to accommodate a wide range of needs and expectations. She will illustrate how talent has become a source of real power for workers and share how it can be tapped.

Dr. Linda Duxbury is a professor at the Carleton University School of Business and the Director of Research at the Centre for Research and Education on Women and Work. In the last decade, a major focus of her research has been on work/family balance in both public and private sectors.

 CLOSING KEYNOTE

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.

CLOSING KEYNOTE
Mark Crocker

Mark Crocker, Vocal Illusionist

Convention 2008 will close out on a high note with internationally recognized ventriloquist and comedian Mark Crocker. His uproariously funny performance will have you laughing all the way home!

Accompanied by a cast of puppets with diverse personalities, a white board and a marker, Crocker delivers some of the best stand-up this side of Yuk Yuks. This is the art of ventriloquism at its best – performed with incredible skill, speed and clarity. Don’t miss this hilarious show!
 

Mark Crocker was born in Hamilton, Ontario and has been leaving his mark with unique live performances since 1977. He has shared the stage with notables like Jim Carrey, Long John Baldry, the Good Brothers, CBC icon David Broadfoot, Patrick McKenna (Red Green Show, Traders), Singing Sensations Carol Baker, Ian Thomas, Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo), and the Trailer Park Boys. He has also appeared on numerous television programs, commercials and film.

 GUEST SPEAKERS (CONFIRMED)