Maurice Bitran has been appointed assistant DM of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development's (MEDI) newly created strategic policy and programs division, which will also represent the Ministry of International Trade and Investment (MITI). Bitran has an extensive background in research and innovation, having worked as executive director of the Ontario R&D Challenge Fund, the Ontario Ethanol Growth Fund and the partnership between the Univ of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Most recently, he was director of the occupational health and safety branch of the Ministry of Labour. The new appointment is effective June 8….