GOVERNMENT OF CANADA APPOINTS INTERIM PUBLIC SECTOR INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER

OTTAWA, Dec. 14 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced the appointment of Mario Dion as interim Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada.

"When our Government took office, we promised to bring accountability to Ottawa," said Minister Day.  "As part of that commitment, we created the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner to ensure that public servants can speak out about wrongdoing without fear of reprisal. Through today's appointment, we are ensuring that commitment is followed in the spirit it was intended."

Mr. Dion has a strong legal background with significant experience in strategic and operational management.  He has held increasingly senior roles in the public service, including as Associate Deputy Minister of Justice, Executive Director and Deputy Head of the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution of Canada, and Chair of the National Parole Board.  

"I would expect that the interim Commissioner's immediate priority will be the review of the disclosures of wrongdoing and complaints of reprisal received by the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner and that he will report his findings to Parliament," added Minister Day.

In accordance with the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, the interim appointment is for a maximum period of six months.

The Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada provides a safe and confidential mechanism enabling public servants and the general public to disclose wrongdoings committed in the public sector. It also protects from reprisal public servants who have disclosed wrongdoing and those who have cooperated in investigations.

Mr. Dion's biographical notes are attached.

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

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This news release is available online at: www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.

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Biographical Note

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Mario Dion

Education

LL.L., University of Ottawa

Professional Experience

Since 2009
Associate, The Sussex Circle
Information Commissioner ad hoc
Privacy Commissioner ad hoc

2006 - 2009

Chairperson, National Parole Board

2003 - 2006

Executive Director and Deputy Head, Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution of Canada

1997 - 2003

Associate Deputy Minister, Civil Law and Corporate Management, Justice

1996 - 1997

Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Counsel

1995 - 1996

Associate Deputy Minister, Justice

1993 - 1995

Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management, Policy and Programs Sector, Justice

1992 - 1993

Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management, Justice

1990 - 1992

Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Programs and Operations, Correctional Service of Canada

1988 - 1990

Assistant Commissioner, Communications and Corporate Development, Correctional Service of Canada

1987 - 1988

Senior Counsel, National Parole Board

1980 - 1987

Legal Counsel and Senior Counsel, Correctional Service of Canada

1980

Articling Student, Legal Services, Justice

For further information:

Jay Denney Director of Communications                             Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway [phone]

Media Relations Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat [phone]