OTTAWA, November 24, 2008 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for
Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on the recommendation of the Privacy Commissioner, today announced the appointment of Chantal Bernier as Assistant Privacy Commissioner. The appointment, effective December 8, 2008, is for a term of five years.
This position is provided for in the Privacy Act to assist the Privacy Commissioner in carrying out her duties and responsibilities under the Act.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner was created in 1983 under the Privacy Act. An agent of Parliament, the Privacy Commissioner is mandated by Parliament to act as an ombudsman, advocate, and guardian of the privacy and protection of personal information rights of individuals.
Biographical note follows.
-30-
Ref:
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
613- 995-0103
Office of the Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada
Darren Eke
Press Secretary
613-992-4621
CHANTAL BERNIER
Chantal Bernier was most recently Assistant Deputy Minister, Community Safety and Partnerships Branch, at Public Safety Canada. Previously, she had served as Assistant Deputy Minister, Socio-Economic Policy and Programs, at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada from 1999 to 2002 and Director of Operations, Machinery of Government Secretariat, at the Privy Council Office from 1998 to 1999.
Ms. Bernier is a lawyer who specializes in public law. She started her career in the federal government in the Department of Justice Canada.
She holds a Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Sherbrooke and a Masters in Public International Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science.