Province Appoints New Chief Electoral Officer

Christine McCulloch will be Nova Scotia's new chief electoral officer. The appointment is effective immediately.

"Christine McCulloch held the position, in an acting capacity, between December 2003 and August 2004," said Michael Baker, Minister of Justice. "During that time, she has proved more than capable in the role and I'm very pleased that she has accepted this appointment."

Among her new duties as head of Elections Nova Scotia, Ms. McCulloch will administer provincial elections and by-elections, keeping voters and candidates aware of their rights and responsibilities. She will receive annual statements from all recognized parties regarding the political contributions they received and tax receipts they issued, and administer plebiscites under the Liquor Control Act. She will also be a member of the Election Commission.

Elections Nova Scotia is an independent office that reports to the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Prior to the recent appointment, Ms. McCulloch was a director of legal services in the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, a position she held for more than eight years. Between 1987 and 1996, she was a senior legal counsel in several government departments.