Dr. John Brian Morrissey
Faculty Member (Retired)

Dr. John Brian Morrissey wrote the case study titled "Mad-Cow Issue Incubation Lessons" featured in the book Harnessing the Power of Intelligence, Counterintelligence & Surprise Events. The objective was to illustrate the incubation cycle of policy issues that led to major changes in government machinery in the United Kingdom. Dr. Morrissey subsequently teamed up with Alain Paul Martin to help the Health Protection Branch of the Government of Canada prepare a strategy to address Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and the human counterpart Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).

Dr. Morrissey has an outstanding track record in managing research teams and complex issues, as Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of the Research Branch in the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and as ADM for Science at the Department of Fisheries & Oceans. In Agriculture Canada, Dr. Morrissey was ADM for Food Production & Inspection Branch (now the Canadian Food Inspection Agency), Director General of its Food Inspection Directorate, and Director of Canada's Animal Health Division, where he was responsible for Canada's animal disease control programs. For three years, Dr. Morrissey has lectured in the Executive MBA program of the University of Ottawa. He was received as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London, England in 1965. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Warwick University, England, and a diploma in Public Policy and Public Administration from the University of Guelph, Ontario. He was also awarded Canada’s “Outstanding Achievement Award”. This is the highest award given by Canada to its public servants. Furthermore, Dr. Morrissey is a recipient of the French Ministry of Agriculture’s professional designation known as “Chevalier dans l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole” for advancing Franco-Canadian cooperation in research.

Throughout his career, Dr. Morrissey has been recognized as a man of vision with the leadership and management skills needed to put progressive ideas to work. He was a major proponent of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Matching Investment Initiative, an innovative partnership program that has expanded Canada’s research and development potential. Under this initiative, the Department pays up to 50 per cent of the cost of collaborative research projects with industry. This leading-edge program is used as a model by other departments.

Dr. Morrissey has also worked hard to attract and retain top scientists from Canada and around the world. As a manager, his support for professional development and recognition of employees’ successes is well known and widely respected. His personal dedication to lifelong learning is an example to his staff and to all public servants.

Dr. John Brian Morrissey has applied business principles to science management to gain greater efficiency and to ensure the continued protection of Canada’s food supply. In light of his firm belief that our country has a great deal to share and to gain on the international stage, he has played a major role in positioning Canada as a world leader in agricultural and food research.

Dr. Brian Morrissey Wins the
Public Service Outstanding Achievement Award

This award, which is the highest commendation in the public service, was presented at Rideau Hall on October 16, 2001 by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and by Canada's Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Jean Chretien. Dr. Morrissey was recognized as a man of vision with the leadership, dedication and skills that put progressive ideas to work.

Throughout his distinguished career in the federal government, Dr. Morrissey played a major role in positioning Canada as a world leader in agricultural and agri-food research. His achievements include establishing partnerships with industry and education, applying business principles to science management, promoting efficiency and innovation and ensuring the protection of Canada's food supply. Under his direction, AAFC earned a reputation as one of the finest research organizations in the world.

As Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said, Dr. Morrissey has "earned the respect of co-workers, the admiration of peers and the gratitude of the nation."