Hall of Fame
Stephanie Charron
by Helen Hatton
After 34 years of federal public service with Health Canada, Stephanie Charron retired in September 2006.
Stephanie graduated from the University of Toronto as a home economist, and worked at what we now know as Manulife. When she graduated from the U of T, she had no idea what she really wanted to do. After one year here, she obtained a Letter of Permission to teach, but after five years of teaching, Stephanie still wanted more from life and resigned, but had to work as a supply teacher for a year.
After a year of supply teaching, her mother came to the rescue with a classified ad for a position at what was then called Health and Welfare Canada. Stephanie contacted them immediately and was so desperate to be hired she never thought about being nervous in the interview. They practically hired her on the spot in June, 1968!
Many of you will remember another home economist, Margaret Pope, Stephanie’s mentor at Health Canada. Stephanie took over Margaret’s position when Margaret moved to Ottawa.
The majority of Stephanie’s years were spent with the Health Protection Branch in the Educational Services division. In this capacity, she brought insight from the regional “trenches” to the program areas at the national level. She also took the Health Canada messages and tools and delivered them to the groups and organizations with a vested interest in the material from Health Canada, including registered dietitians, health professionals, key people in government and industry, NGOs, the Consumers’ Association of Canada, Cattlemen’s Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Early training as an adult educator served her well as she worked directly with a broad range of the public. She organized and attended many consultations, workshops and meetings, often acting as facilitator or presenter.
She stressed how much networking was required. “I went to every meeting there ever was; I had to know who was doing what, and let them know I was there. It was a huge task but you just do it.” She made hundreds of appearances in panels, talks and of course radio and television shows. Three weeks into the job, Betty Kennedy at CFRB radio had her on air, and thankfully said Stephanie, “she realized I was a complete rookie and was most kind,” unlike the slimy radio interviewer some time later who in the tight little booth kept playing “kneesies” with her! Everything relates to being professional and getting that message out!
She remembers back-to-back TV shows, (five in one day) and the exhaustion that followed; consumer panels at night; cross-country food additive workshops for food professionals; and, of course, all the work on the Canada Food Guide!
Although Stephanie’s title and position evolved over the years, one element remained unchanged: She was the face of HPF (Health Products and Food) to the public, health professionals, industry officials and media, providing information about policies and programs. Stephanie stressed the importance of taking this huge bureau to the public so they felt they were talking to real people, not faceless robots.
How has her area in Health Canada had changed over the years? Thirty years ago there were many government consumer jobs. When she started, she was one of eight; now there are none, as her position will not be filled. Stephanie said, “The job I did was always focused and directed, and I was left to my own devices to plan what I felt was needed. That’s not necessarily the case anymore. In the electronic age, information gets to a lot of people, and websites are in a sense, the replacement of consumer specialists.” However, she hopes that all consumer questions are indeed being answered!
Stephanie said, “I always needed a challenge. My work on the Canada Food Guide was huge, but it soon became routine. And that was one of the reasons to retire. The job was wonderful and lots of fun but there were few challenges left.”
Stephanie has been a dedicated and thoughtful soldier on the front lines for many years. She was an amazing source of information to the public, responding quickly with patience and knowledge. From “A” for “additives” to “Z” for “zinc,” she had all the answers.
Along with librarians, I can’t think of a better use for our taxpayer dollars than our own Stephanie Charron! Well done, Stephanie!
(Condensed from Original)