Minister Chagger nominates next Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

OTTAWA, Dec. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, today announced the nomination of Mario Dion as the next Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. 

Mr. Dion's distinguished career as a lawyer and a senior leader within the federal public service spans more than 35 years. He has served as Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada since 2015. Prior to this, Mr. Dion served as Commissioner of Public Sector Integrity from 2011 to 2014. He also served as Chairperson of the National Parole Board from 2006 to 2009.

The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is responsible for administering the Conflict of Interest Act and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. Under the Parliament of Canada Act, the appointment to this position must be approved by the House of Commons.

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"Mario Dion has an impressive track record as a senior public servant that stretches back three decades and six different governments. This makes him an excellent choice to be Canada's next Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. I am confident he will continue to strengthen accountability and trust."
 – Hon. Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Quick Facts

• The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is an independent Agent of Parliament, appointed under the Parliament of Canada Act for a term of seven years.
• The appointment is made by the Governor in Council after consultation with the leader of each recognized party in the House of Commons and approval by resolution of the House of Commons.

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Biography – Mario Dion

A Montréal native, Mr. Dion, now a retired lawyer, obtained a law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1979.  Mr. Dion began his legal career in 1980 as a legal advisor at the then-Ministry of the Solicitor General.  In 1988, he became the Assistant Deputy Minister of Communications, Evaluation and Research at Corrections Canada.

From Corrections Canada, Mr. Dion moved to the Department of Justice where he became the Assistant Deputy Minister of Corporate Services in 1992.  In 1995 he was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Justice.  From 1996 to 1997 he served as Deputy Clerk and Counsel at the Privy Council Office, responsible for Legislative House Planning and Machinery of Government and then returned to the Department of Justice as Associate Deputy Minister.

In 2003, Mr. Dion was appointed Deputy Minister of Indian Residential Schools Resolution of Canada, where he led efforts to bring closure to 16,000 pending litigation files and, ultimately, the historic 2006 agreement with former residential school students.

Mr. Dion also served as Chairperson of the National Parole Board from 2006-2009 and most recently as Commissioner of Public Sector Integrity from 2011-2014.

In 2015, Mr. Dion was appointed as Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

This document is also available at https://www.canada.ca/en/leader-government-house-commons.html

SOURCE Leader of the Government in the House of Commons