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Valuable mentorship in a public service career
Jul 23, 2020
As an undergraduate student at McGill University in the late 1960s Barry was assigned a faculty advisor, an eminent psychologist, Professor Donald Hebb. At the time Barry wondered if he should have a plan like peers who were preparing for careers in medicine or law while he was simply choosing courses that interested him like zoology, ecology, psychology, and animal behavior. When he eventually approached his advisor with this question Barry was asked, “How old are you son?” When told he was 20 Professor Hebb said something that guided Barry for many years: “Far too young to specialize — you should continue to play the field.” So, Barry continued doing what interested him and seemed important — and does so to this day.
It took years to fully appreciate the wisdom and power of this advice. After graduating from McGill, and facing poor employment prospects, Barry explored the possibility of graduate studies in wildlife behaviour and management. While told that graduate studies were an option, he was cautioned that it could be difficult to find employment in these fields. A question raised was “What about something more applied…like veterinary medicine?”
A long lingering idea turned into a decision when Barry enrolled in the University of Montreal’s Faculté de Médicine Vétérinaire. After graduating in 1974, he joined Agriculture Canada’s Animal Diseases Research Institute to work on the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. During his time with Agriculture Canada Barry enjoyed the support of several mentors (Drs. Julius Frank, Joan Tailyour, Conrad L’Ecuyer, and Norman Willis). His assignments included laboratory diagnostic services, research leading to a PhD in immunology and microbiology from the Ontario Veterinary College, and eventually his first management and executive roles with the Government of Canada.
Barry continued to follow his interests, accepting a 2-year posting in the Caribbean region of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture to develop a regional animal and plant health information network. After returning to Agriculture Canada, Barry worked on national animal and plant health policy and then regional operations in western Canada.
A much broader “playing field” was later provided by an executive development program with a posting to the cabinet secretariat of Canada’s Privy Council Office and then an appointment as Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of the Environmental Protection Service of Environment Canada. In this latter role, Barry headed a Canadian Delegation to a UN meeting at which Canada’s Environment Minister David Anderson was the first to both sign and ratify the Stockholm Convention to eliminate the worst Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). This was a highlight of a voyage that began decades earlier when Barry read Rachel Carson’s influential 1962 book “Silent Spring.”
Another key mentor, Professor David Zussman, provided Barry with a bridge from the public service to the University of Ottawa. It being a small world, Professor Zussman had been a graduate student of Professor Hebb at about the time Barry had sought his guidance. As a Senior Fellow with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs Barry co-founded a certificate program on regulatory governance and served as a consultant to Canadian and international clients including the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). In 2011 he co-chaired an international team that advised China’s Premier and State Council on the control of mercury pollution which, like POPs, threatens Canada’s Arctic communities.
As Barry reflects on his undergraduate years he wishes he had learned more about human resource management and leadership skills. These came much later through experience, guidance, and development programs offered by the Public Service of Canada, but an earlier start would have helped.
Barry enjoyed his 32-year career with the Public Service of Canada and his subsequent time with the University of Ottawa. He continues to support OIE in the evaluation of national veterinary services. He also is a volunteer and donor for several environmental organizations and for Veterinarians without Borders. He enjoys photography, cross-country and telemark skiing, and water sports. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his contributions to Canada.
And his best piece of advice to new veterinary graduates? To recognize the breadth of opportunities that are available and give serious thought to a career in the public service (federal, provincial, or international).