Carole-Marie Allard has been working in Laval since January 2005. Since her arrival, she has been involved in several major securities cases. She participated in various due diligence processes in Canada and the United States. Her experience in media and communications law in general as well as her great knowledge of politics in general is an invaluable asset. A graduate in Economics and Political Science from McGill University, Carole-Marie Allard had a distinguished career in journalism in the Canadian Parliamentary press gallery in Ottawa. Having decided to further pursue her education, and particularly in law, she completed a law degree at the University of Ottawa and became a member of the Quebec Bar in 1991. She finished her career in journalism by publishing two best-selling books. The first is an economic essay entitled Lavalin: Les ficelles du pouvoir and the second, a judicial saga: L'Affaire Claire Lortie. A lawyer in private practice since 1993, Carole-Marie Allard has voluntarily practiced in several areas of law and excels in representations before civil and administrative courts. In November 2000, she seized the opportunity to become a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada in a general election. Victorious in the election, she became MP for the riding of Laval East, and she went back to work in the House of Commons of Canada beside liberal members of Parliament. Member of several standing committees including Justice, the Department of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, she has developed an excellent knowledge of the workings of the Canadian legislative system. Appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Sheila Copps, she had the exceptional opportunity to be able to familiarize herself with the operations of the Canadian governmental system. Ms. Allard was also vice-chair of the Committee on the use of drugs for non-medical purposes, which produced a damning report on the status of the situation in Canada. She is also a graduate of the Canadian Securities Institute and the Institute of Corporate Directors. Education: McGill University (Economics and Political Science, 1978), University of Ottawa (LL.B., 1989).