Minister of National Defence Appoints Interim Ombudsman

3 January 2008

Ms. Mary McFadyen
Director General, Legal Services
Office of the National Defence
and Canadian Forces Ombudsman
100 Metcalfe Street, 12th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1P 5M1
 

Dear Ms. McFadyen:

As you know, Mr. Yves Côté will be stepping down as Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces on January 7, 2008. In order to ensure continuity in fulfilling the mandate and the duties and functions of the Ombudsman, until the Governor in Council designates a successor, it will be necessary to appoint an Interim Ombudsman.

Given your current capacity and wealth of experience within the Office of the Ombudsman, I am satisfied that it would be most appropriate that you take on the associated responsibilities. Consequently, for the purpose of certainty, you will act as Interim Ombudsman and will report directly to and be accountable to me as the Minister of National Defence. In this capacity, you will have the full mandate, powers, duties, and functions of the Ombudsman as set out in the Ministerial Directives Respecting the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces.

You have my complete confidence and support, and I look forward to working with you. Please do not hesitate to contact me during this period for any clarification or direction needed. In the meantime, thank you for undertaking this important role within the Defence community.

Sincerely,
 

Peter G. MacKay

c.c. Mr. R. Fonberg
Deputy Minister of National Defence 

General R.J. Hillier, CMM, MSC, CD
Chief of the Defence Staff