Former RCMP Leader is New Ombudsman
A former assistant commissioner of the RCMP in Nova Scotia, Dwight Bishop of Wolfville, was appointed provincial ombudsman today, Dec. 12, by Justice Minister Michael Baker.
"Nova Scotians are well-served by a person of Dwight Bishop's integrity and qualifications," said Mr. Baker. "A review of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission concluded that the ombudsman should remain separate, and I'm very pleased that a person of his stature will fulfill that role on behalf of Nova Scotians."
Mr. Bishop's five-year appointment will take effect on Jan. 1, 2004. He succeeds Mayann Francis, who assumed the role of interim ombudsman in December 2000.
Speaker Murray Scott said Mr. Bishop takes on an important role within government. "Nova Scotians need assurances that they can access independent, objective reviews when they are concerned about issues of administrative fairness and good governance," he said.
Mr. Scott extended thanks to Ms. Francis for her dedicated service. She will continue to serve as chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.
The competition process for the ombudsman position began in November 2002. A selection panel interviewed candidates and made a final recommendation to government. A similar process is used for judicial appointments.
The ombudsman is an independent officer of the House of Assembly, and reports to the legislature through the Office of the Speaker. Any person, group, society or company with a complaint against a provincial or municipal government department, agency, board, or commission can ask for help.
In 2001-02, the Office of the Ombudsman addressed more than 800 complaints, 66 led to formal investigations and 424 inquiries were redirected to other authorities. In addition, the office's children's section was contacted 782 times by children and youth in protective custody.
For more information on the Office of the Ombudsman, including the 2003-04 business plan, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/ombu .