Council

Welcome to the 2010-11 Council, elected at the AGM on November 16, 2010:

John Laratta, CA, CFE

President

John has over 29 years experience in providing services to clients. His experience includes a number of assignments providing audit services and advice to communities and preparing for consolidated financial statements. He assists clients in financial (accounting and auditing), tax and management consulting matters, which include; evaluation, review and implementation of systems and procedures, business plans, cash-flow analysis, review of organizational and board effectiveness and ensuring efficiency and economy in operations.

John was the first Vice-President, Finance of Arctic College from 1986 to 1993. He established all the necessary corporate and management systems and the negotiation of all business arrangements for the College, including residence management, catering and large training contracts with private industry, and transfer of responsibilities from the Government. As Director of Government Accounting, he was responsible for the financial reporting and financial operations of the Government of the Northwest Territories. His experience includes the review, development and implementation of systems, negotiating financial arrangements, establishment of corporate entities and the review and evaluation of organizations and systems of internal controls.

Tara Clowes, CA, CFP

Vice-President, Treasurer

Professional Career

MacKay LLP, Yellowknife NT, Associate Partner
Completed the CICA In-depth Tax course (2010-11-12)
Obtained Certified Financial Planner designation (2009)
Member of ICANT/NU (since 2007)
Member of ICAA (since 2007)
UFE Candidate National Honour Roll (2006)
MBA, International Business and Finance Concentration, Dalhousie University (2004)
B.Comm, Accounting major, Dalhousie University (2003)

Professional & Community Activities

2008 – present Treasurer, ICANT/NU
2008-09 Treasurer, local condominium board
2007 Official Agent for MLA candidate in NWT territorial election
2006-08 Secretary-Treasurer, NWT SPCA

Byron Dolan, CA

ByLaws Chair, Professional Development Chair

Byron Dolan was first appointed to council in April, 2010 and was re-appointed by acclamation in November 2010.

Byron received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC. He is currently the Manager, Finance at Diavik Diamond Mine in Yellowknife, NT where he is responsible for managing the financial reporting, compliance, risk management and taxation activities of one of North America’s premier diamond mines.

Byron first came to the North in 2006 when he joined MacKay LLP and has worked with a variety of clients across the North. He is also active in several cultural and charitable organizations in Yellowknife.

Arend Hoekstra, CA

Secretary, Membership Chair

Arend works for Diavik Diamond Mines, where he is primarily involved with reporting and assurance.

Arend obtained a Bachelors of Business Administration degree co-conferred by the University of British Columbia – Okanagan, and Okanagan College.

Arend articled with the firm MacKay LLP, working in the Kelowna, Vancouver, and Yellowknife offices before obtaining his CA designation in 2009.

Arend has been a resident of Yellowknife since early 2007. In addition to his position on the ICANWT/NU Council, he also holds the position of Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee for the Folk on the Rocks Society. In his spare time Arend participates in the Yellowknife Curling Club, as well as various community cultural functions and organizations.

Geoffrey Oliver, CA

Public Relations Chair, Scholarship Chair

Geoffrey works with the firm MacKay Landau in Iqaluit, Nunavut, working primarily with entities in the government and not-for-profit sector.

Geoffrey studied at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, graduating from the Electrical Engineering program before going on to complete a degree in Business Administration. He articled with the firm MacKay LLP in Vancouver, obtaining his CA designation in 2008.

Geoffrey has recently moved to Canada's north; this is his first term on the ICANWT/NU Council. In his spare time Geoffrey plays golf and squash, and coaches for the Nunavut Badminton Association.

Leon Courneya, FCA

Discipline & Practice Review Chair

Leon Courneya is the retired President & CEO of NWT Power Corporation. Leon graduated from York University in 1979 with a BBA and obtained his CA designation in 1981 with Thorne Riddell in Toronto. He worked for 3 years with what is now KPMG in South Africa before coming to Yellowknife in 1986 to work for the GNWT as the Manager, Financial Reporting. He moved to Hay River in 1989 with the Power Corporation as the Director, Finance becoming the VP Finance & CFO in 1993 and the President in 1996.

Leon is a graduate of the Western Executive Program. He has been involved with the Governor General’s Leadership Conference since 1995 first as a participant most recently as a member of the National Committee in 2008. He was awarded an FCA in 2001.

Glenn Tait

Lay Member, Website Chair

Partner in McLennan Ross practising labour and employment law in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Represents clients in all aspects of employment and administrative law
Appointed as counsel for the Adjudicator to inquire into a potential conflict of interest involving the Premier of the NWT
Master of Laws, focusing on labour law, University of Toronto, 1986
Bachelor of Laws, Queen’s University, 1982
Bachelor of Commerce with distinction, University of Alberta, 1979
Past Chair, Canadian Bar Association Northern Alberta Section
Past Chairperson, Canadian Parents for French, Yellowknife Catholic Schools chapter
Former instructor, Alberta/NWT Bar Admission program
Lectured on employment and labour law at colleges in the Northwest Territories and Alberta and at the University of Alberta
Revised two chapters of the textbook Principles of Administrative Law (2008) by Jones and de Villars
Associate editor, Administrative Law Report
Recognized in The Canadian Legal LEXPERT Directory as a “leading practitioner” in the field of employment law and labour relations
Listed in Best Lawyers in Canada under Labour and Employment Law
BV Distinguished peer review rating with Martindale-Hubbell