OTTAWA, ONTARIO - On June 2, 2007, The Honourable Monte Solberg, minister of human resources and social development, announced the appointment of Dr. John Rook as President of the National Council of Welfare.

"Dr. Rook is a leader and a valued member of our community," said Minister Solberg. "He will be a considerable asset to the National Council of Welfare."

Dr. Rook is currently the Chief Executive Officer of The Salvation Army Community and Residential Services in Calgary. He has also worked as a Student Outreach Support Worker with the Canadian Rockies Schools and served as the Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Alberta. He has spent some of his career teaching as an Associate Professor at McMaster University, and is the author of numerous academic journal articles.

Dr. Rook holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University, a Master of Divinity from McMaster University and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford.

The National Council of Welfare was established by the Government Organization Act in 1969. Members are appointed from across Canada and include both service providers and service beneficiaries. The Council's mandate encompasses issues related to social security and matters relating to low-income people.