Ottawa, April 1, 2005 -- Ms. Barbara Finlay, the former Director General of Operations for the Office of the Ombudsman, has been appointed the Interim Ombudsman effective today. The Honourable Bill Graham, Minister of National Defence, announced her appointment on Parliament Hill last Thursday. Ms. Finlay takes over for Mr. André Marin who has become Ontario's Ombudsman. "It is an honour to continue the work that Mr. Marin began seven years ago. I am proud of the positive changes that this Office has been able to achieve in the lives of members of the defence community," Ms. Finlay stated, "and I am looking forward to leading this Office until a new Ombudsman is appointed." Ms. Finlay has been with the Office since its inception in 1998. As Senior Policy Advisor, she was instrumental in the drafting of the Office's first mandate; she was also directly involved in the negotiations resulting in the Ombudsman's new mandate on September 5, 2001. As Director General of Operations, Ms. Finlay was responsible for the strategic management of the case handling process of the Office, including developing policies and procedures for handling the caseload as well as oversight of the Ombudsman investigative team and intake staff. The former Ombudsman expressed his support for the Minister's appointment, "I think Ms. Finlay will provide the continuity of leadership and reassurance that members need as the Office goes through this transition phase." Prior to joining the Office of the Ombudsman, Ms. Finlay was an Assistant Crown Attorney in Ottawa, where she prosecuted all types of criminal code offences and provided advice to police investigators at all stages of their investigations. She graduated Suma cum laude from the University of Ottawa Common Law Program in 1992 and has been a member of the Ontario Bar since 1994. She has been a part-time professor with the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa and has also lectured in criminal and civil law at the Algonquin College Police Foundations Program. - 30 - For more information: Barbara Theobalds Director, Communications and Media Relations Office the Ombudsman, DND/CF Tel: (613) 992-6962 Isabelle Rodier Communications Project Manager Office of the Ombudsman, DND/CF Tel: (613) 995-8643
