Foodgrains Bank Executive Director Stepping Down After 20 Plus Years

After 20 plus years in the position, the executive director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is stepping down.

 

Jim Cornelius talked about what he'll remember most.

 

"My heart gets warm when I'm getting out meeting with supporters to see the level of support continues to be there some 20 years later," he said. "There's just such strong support across the country for the work of the Foodgrains Bank. We've been able to sustain our partnership with the government over all this time, increase the funding that we receive, that's very heartwarming. But in the end the most important thing is what happens on the ground overseas and be able to be in so many communities where we're seeing people in crisis receive the food they need."

 

Cornelius says he plans to remain involved with the organization going forward.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.