Lauren Small

Lauren Small joined the Public Service of Canada in January 1997, and has served in both science and international portfolios. She is currently Director of Quebec Waterways with Parks Canada responsible for five historic canals including Carillon, Chambly, Lachine, Saint-Ours and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.

Ms. Small holds a Bachelor's degree in Science and Human Affairs, and the School of Community and Public Affairs (1995), and a Master's degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University (1997). She completed a Graduate Certificate in Air and Space Law at McGill University, Faculty of Law, Institute of Air and Space Law (2014).

Prior to joining the Parks Canada, Ms. Small worked for Environment Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Canadian Space Agency. Spanning her 20-year career, Lauren has been instrumental in three major legislative projects including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Species at Risk Act, and the Remote Sensing Space Systems Act.

In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Small continues to remain active in local issues affecting her community.  Ms. Small performs on stage on an annual basis to raise funds for her local arts community, and has proudly participated in the Terry Fox Run for over seventeen years raising more than $50,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation towards cancer research, both as a participant and Coordinator of the Montreal West Terry Fox Run. She is also a volunteer with the Segal Cancer Centre’s Hope and Cope Program as a Peer Mentor. Ms. Small is a Board Member for the Montreal West Community Services Council, the Edinburgh Elementary School Governing Board, and is the Founder and Chair of the Montreal West “Bottoms Up” Diaper Drive in benefit of the NDG food depot.

In May 2015, Ms. Small was awarded the Alumna of the Year Award by Concordia University for outstanding professional and personal achievements and was named as one of five Concordia graduates making a difference in the world in 2016.

In November 2012, Ms. Small was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal, honouring her continued commitment to improving relations with international partners for over seventeen years of public service.

In 2002, in recognition of her continued commitment to community, Ms. Small was conferred the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award at Rideau Hall.

Ms. Small is a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute (CASI).

As a native Montrealer, Lauren has reaped the rewards of running along the Lachine canal over the last several years, and was part of Team Canada in the Maccabiah Games half marathon in Israel this past July..