Power's play

Michael Power’s new role with Elekta will create jobs in Thunder Bay, but contrary to published reports, the outgoing Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre executive has no idea how many.

Power, 41, a one-time draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, said he chose to make Thunder Bay his home base for family reasons, and hopes it will have a spin-off effect for the community.

“We will be opening an office here in Thunder Bay and we will watch that grow and thrive I’m sure over the coming months and years,” Power said.

In his 16 years with the hospital, the Thunder Bay native has been a driving force behind the region’s economic shift, from a mostly resource-based economy to one that embraces the latest technology.

He helped found the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute in 2007, and presently serves as the organization’s executive vice-president, a job he’ll be giving up with the move to Elekta.

Power, who becomes a globe-trotting vice-president and regional partner at the Stockholm-based private-sector company, said just because his name won’t be on TBRRI’s masthead doesn’t mean he won’t be fighting tooth and nail to help it continue to succeed.
In fact, he sees plenty of synergy.

“Elekta is one of the biggest radiation companies in the world. They have technology in major cancer centres across the world, certainly here in Canada,” he said, promising to be an ambassador for the city and the medical research entities that reside within.

“Cancer Care Ontario is a very large client. So I think this is going to provide Thunder Bay and this exceptional cancer program here at the Health Sciences Centre to have a voice in the Elekta organization more so than it has been in the past.”

Believed to have been passed over in 2010 when the hospital hired Andree Robichaud, Power said family played a huge role in his decision-making process.

Daughter Grace is nine and son Carson is seven. Both play hockey, and Power, a former goaltender who still plays the game, can often be spotted dashing from rink to rink during hockey season to watch them play.

Leaving Thunder Bay simply wasn’t an option.

“It’s one thing to transition into this global role,” he said. “It’s another thing to transition your family from a community you love, that you know, where your relationships are here and your family’s here.

“So we’ve stabilized on that front while I focus on the transition to this new opportunity.”

Power , heralded three years ago as one of the Globe and Mail’s top 40 Canadians under 40, will be holding on to another position, as chairman of the TBayTel board of directors.

“Elekta is fine with that. I’ve approached some members of city council with respect to that question in the last 24 to 48 hours, and I can say those that I’ve had the chance to talk with are all very pleased and excited with the opportunity that’s presented itself for me,” Power said.

“In addition to that, the fact that I’m staying in Thunder Bay will mean I’ll be able to serve and continue in my capacity as chair of TBayTel is equally important to them.”

Robichaud said Power leaving is a huge loss for the hospital and the research facility, though she said she was happy for her soon-to-be former employee, who leaves his posts in May.

“It’s a great opportunity for him and we’re going to miss him,” Robichaud said on Friday. “He’s done excellent things. The cancer care program he’s built is exceptional in Ontario and in Canada and he deserves a big thank you from us and the community.

“He’ll be very difficult to replace.”

Robichaud, who like all hospital CEOs is under fire to cap spending increases to 2.1 per cent annually, said Power will be replaced, though the job description may be slightly revamped.