Minister LeBlanc announces appointment of Chairperson of the Parole Board of Canada

Ottawa, ON - June 13, 2024

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced the appointment of Joanne Blanchard as Chairperson of the Parole Board of Canada, effective June 23, 2024 for a term of five years.

Ms. Blanchard began her career as an Independent Chairperson, appointed by the Minister of Public Safety to conduct offender disciplinary offence hearings in Correctional Service of Canada institutions. In 2022, Ms. Blanchard transitioned to the Parole Board of Canada, initially serving as a Board Member, an Appeal Division Board Member and then as Regional Vice Chair. In these roles, she conducted hearings, rendered conditional release decisions, and was responsible for the professional conduct and training of Board Members.

The Parole Board of Canada is an independent administrative tribunal that plays an important role in keeping our communities safe. Most importantly, it supports the safe and effective reintegration of offenders into our communities as law-abiding citizens.

As required by the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Board members are chosen from diverse groups to represent community values and views. The Government of Canada has taken significant steps in doing so, and remains committed to continuing to build a Board that is reflective of the diversity of the Canadian population.