The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, today announced the appointment of Hilary McCormack as the new Chairperson of the Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada. Ms. McCormack will assume her duties as Commission Chairperson on October 5, 2015, for a term of five years.
Ms. McCormack is currently Director of Crown Operations (East Region) at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, a position she has held since 2009. As Regional Crown Attorney, she is responsible for 10 Crown Attorney offices, providing supervision and guidance to approximately 100 lawyers and 70 administrative staff. In addition to her management duties, Ms. McCormack continues to direct and supervise many complex trials.
Hilary McCormack graduated from the University of Western Ontario’s law school. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1980 and was in private practice for the first three years of her career.
Ms. McCormack first joined the Ministry of the Attorney General as Assistant Crown Attorney in 1983. She was seconded to the federal Department of Justice in 1992. Her work as General Counsel, Criminal Law and Policy, resulted in amendments to the Criminal Code which enhanced the general protection of women and children from sexual and physical violence. These amendments included the criminal harassment provision criminalizing stalking.
She returned to the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General in 1994. In 2000, she was the first woman to be appointed Crown Attorney for Ottawa, where she was responsible for all Criminal Code prosecutions and summary conviction appeals for the City of Ottawa.
Ms. McCormack prosecuted the first DNA case in Canada, and subsequently established an ad hoc committee to provide advice to Crown prosecution services and police services across Canada and around the world. She also worked on policy and legislative initiatives for both the DNA warrant provisions and the DNA data base which have been transformative in policing and prosecutions in Canada.
Between 2000 and 2005, Hilary McCormack was a member of the Department of National Defence’s Military Police Advisory Committee, which was created to provide advice to senior military leadership about the transformation of the military police and their investigative capacity, to improve their relationship with civilian courts and prosecution services, and to provide opportunities for enhanced police training and education.
Ms. McCormack has taught criminal law at the University of Ottawa, and has written and lectured extensively on legal issues. She has served as a volunteer on the boards of directors and committees of numerous not-for-profit organizations.
“I am very pleased to announce Hilary McCormack’s appointment as Chairperson of the Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada. Her experience and expertise as a lawyer, administrator and educator will serve the Commission well.”
Jason Kenney
Minister of National Defence
“Throughout my career as a Crown Attorney, I have worked with many police services, including the chief of the military police, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, which has given me insight into policing in general. My work on the Military Police Advisory Committee has given me an added perspective into the unique environment of military policing. I believe my background, combined with my varied experience, will be invaluable in my new role. I look forward to this new challenge and opportunity.”
Hilary McCormack
Chairperson Designate
Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada
Patricia Godbille, Communications Officer
Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada
Telephone: 613-944-9349 / Cell: 613-240-8545
Patricia.godbille@mpcc-cppm.gc.ca
