NR 13.304 - October 9, 2013
OTTAWA - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Plouffe, as the new Commissioner of the Communications Security Establishment.
"I am pleased to announce Jean-Pierre Plouffe’s appointment as Commissioner of the Communications Security Establishment," said Minister Nicholson. "Mr. Plouffe brings extensive legal knowledge to the position, including experience in the Military Justice system.”
A graduate of the University of Ottawa, Mr. Plouffe was appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec in 1990, and was appointed as a Judge in the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada in March of 2013.
Mr. Plouffe has had a long and distinguished career, beginning in the office of the Judge Advocate General, where he retired as a Lieutenant-Colonel, then as a defense lawyer for Court Martials while with the private practice of Seguin, Oulette, Plouffe and Associates in Gatineau, QC, as well as for Legal Aid in Hull, Quebec. He was appointed a Military Judge in 1980 as a Reserve officer, and then as a Judge in the Court of Quebec in 1982.
The Commissioner's mandate is threefold: to review the activities of the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) and attest to its compliance with the laws of Canada; report any instances of non-compliance to the Minister of National Defence and the Attorney General of Canada; and investigate any complaint when he deems it necessary. The Commissioner reports annually on his findings to the Minister of National Defence, who in turn submits the report to both houses of Parliament. To ensure he is able to fulfill his responsibilities, the Commissioner has access to all documents related to the operations of the agency, and to the personnel of CSEC.
For more information, please visit: http://www.ocsec-bccst.gc.ca/index_e.php
