Russell Williams

Russell Williams has been appointed president of Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) following a lengthy career in Quebec politics. Williams was the Liberal MLA for the Montreal-area riding of Nelligan for 16 years which included serving as parliamentary assistant to two ministers of Health and Social Services. During that time he was involved in the identification and initiation of strategies for a more efficient and integrated health care system. This included the formulation of a research and development policy in the pharmaceutical sector. His term at Rx&D begins March 31, replacing Murray Elston, who served in the Ontario government of David Peterson in the 1980s. Elston has accepted a position as president of the Canadian Nuclear Association. Prior to joining Rx&D in 1998, he was president of the Ontario Interlink Industrial Park and a member of the Energreen Solutions Group. While in the Ontario legislature Elston served as minister of Health, chairman of the Management Board, minister of Financial Institutions and chairman of the Public Accounts Committee....