Prof Labonté’s career began in public health service, where he developed population health promotion models that have had national and global influence. In 1999, he became inaugural Director of the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit. His research on globalization and health equity, supported by numerous research grants, led to a Tier 1 CRC award at the University of Ottawa in 2004. Prof Labonté exercised international leadership as Chair of the Globalization Knowledge Network for the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health. His contributions have been recognized with awards and speaking and advisory invitations in Canada and abroad.