From 1978 to 1983, Simard served as Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. During this time, she was also a consultant to the Government of Saskatchewan on the development of the Matrimonial Property Act, 1980, which gave equal sharing rights to spouses in a marriage,[8] and on the amalgamation of the District Court and the Court of the Queen's Bench.[2][9] From 1982 to 1985, Simard was consumer representative on the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.[7][10] She was one of the first public members appointed to the Medical Council of Canada (1996),[11] and later became the first public member (i.e. non-physician) to become President of the Medical Council of Canada (2002–2003).[11] She was also a non-medical representative on the board of directors of the Canadian Nurses Association.[12]
Political career
Simard represented Regina Lakeview (1986–91) and Regina Hillsdale (1991–95) in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan as a New Democratic Party (NDP) member.[3] She held numerous ministerial portfolios during this period, mostly notably during her time in the Official Opposition from 1986 to 1991 as the Opposition Health Critic, as well as the critic for women's issues, SaskPower, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, and the Ombudsman; and in government from 1991 to 1995 as the Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women (now Minister of Status of Women).[13][14] At the time, Simard was only the second female lawyer to have been elected to serve in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.[2]
As Minister of Health, she was responsible for the strategy, vision, and development leading to a complete reform and restructuring of the health care system in Saskatchewan.[2] She introduced a "wellness" model of health care, which emphasized primary health care and population health goals,[3] converted many small rural hospitals to health centres,[15][16] and established regional health districts and boards.[2] This was a very challenging time for the Government of Saskatchewan following the difficult financial years, near default, and scandals faced by the Grant Devine government,[17] establishment and changes to The Established Programs Financing Act (EPF) under the Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney governments that reduced federal healthcare funding transfers to the provinces,[18] and Bill C-69 (1990) and Bill C-20 (1991) (Federal Restraint Law) that froze EPF for five years to the end of the 1994–1995 fiscal year and thereafter capped EPF increases to gross national product minus 3 per cent.[19] Simard has been recognized as a leader in the field of health planning.[20]
Simard oversaw numerous other ministerial portfolios while in office, including the Treasury Board, SaskTel, Wascana Centre Authority, Health Services and Utilization Commission, Saskatchewan Cancer Foundation, Health Research Board, Women's Advisory Council, Centre of the Arts, Public Service Commission, and the Mental Health Advisory Council.[21][6]
In 2010, Simard served as Professional Affiliate at the University of Saskatchewan, where she delivered a class on Health Reform at the School of Public Health[21] She was awarded Alumni of Influence that year by the university's College of Arts and Science.[7]
^ abcdefghijkMentiplay, Iain A. (2007). Iain A. (2007). A Century of Integrity: The Law Society of Saskatchewan 1907 to 2007. Law Society of Saskatchewan. p. 165. ISBN978-0-9699120-4-0.
^ abcdQuiring, Brett (2004). Saskatchewan Politicians: Lives Past and Present. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center Press. p. 211. ISBN0889771650.
^ abMcKenzie-Sanders, Doreen, ed. (2006). Women in the Lead: Qualified Canadian women for board appointment (3 ed.). Vancouver, British Columbia: Women in Leadership Incorporated. p. 666. ISBN1-55383-129-2.
^ abVodden, Christy (2008). Licentiate to Heal: A History of the Medical Council of Canada. Medical Council of Canada Press. p. 82. ISBN9780969016182.
^ abTurgeon, Dana (2004). Quiring, Brett (ed.). Saskatchewan Politicians: Lives Past and Present. University of Regina Press. p. 211. ISBN9780889771659.
^Rachilis, Michael; Kushner, Carol (1994). Strong Medicine: How to Save Canada's Health Care System. Toronto: HarperCollins. p. 321. ISBN0-00-255281-7.