York alumna, Karen Kraft Sloan (MES ‘90), is Canada’s new ambassador for the environment. Kraft Sloan was appointed to the position on Feb.16, 2005, by Pierre Pettigrew, federal minister of foreign affairs, and Environment Minister Stephane Dion. Pettigrew and Dion described the role as “pivotal to Canada’s continued strong presence on the international scene in matters pertaining to the environment and sustainable development.”
Right: Karen Kraft Sloan
As ambassador for the environment, Kraft Sloan will head Canadian delegations to United Nations gatherings. The ambassador meets regularly with relevant ministers and environmental and other non-governmental organizations on matters relating to sustainability, the environment and renewable energy. Kraft Sloan will also hold discussions with industry representatives on environmental technologies, represent the ministers of foreign affairs and environment at international conferences, and visit sites such as wind farms, fuel-cell companies and water-treatment facilities.
Following a career running her own strategic planning consulting business and teaching, Kraft Sloan served as member of Parliament for York-Simcoe from 1993 to 1997 and for York North from 1997 to 2004. She was the parliamentary secretary to the minister of the environment from 1996 to 1998 and served as vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development from 1994 to 1996 and 1998 to 2003.