News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER NOMINATES NEXT CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER

February 9, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is pleased to announce the nomination of Mr. Marc Mayrand as the new Chief Electoral Officer.

A senior public office holder with the federal government, Mr. Mayrand currently serves as the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, where he has gained extensive experience in strategic management and organizational change. He joined the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy in 1982 and, since that time, has held positions of increasing scope and responsibility, culminating in his current appointment in 1997.

“A strong and energetic manager with a proven background in operations and regulatory oversight, Marc Mayrand is particularly well-suited to take on this important position”, said the Prime Minister. “His significant qualifications and experience will benefit all Canadians. I am pleased that he has agreed to be nominated for this important role”, added the Prime Minister.

Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency which reports directly to Parliament and is responsible for the conduct of federal elections and referendums. Under the direction of the Chief Electoral Officer, an agent of Parliament, Elections Canada ensures that all voters have access to the electoral system, maintains the National Register of Electors, enforces electoral legislation and maintains readiness to conduct electoral events. Its ongoing responsibility is to ensure that Canadians can exercise their choices in federal elections and referendums through an open and impartial process.

The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Peter Van Loan, will table, pursuant to Standing Order 111.1, this nomination in the House of Commons for referral to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. The Standing Committee will have 30 days to examine the proposed candidacy and report back to the House of Commons, at which time the House will be called upon to vote on the appointment.

Biographical notes on Mr. Mayrand are attached.

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MARC MAYRAND

Marc Mayrand has been serving as Superintendent of Bankruptcy since May 1997. After joining the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy in 1982, he held a variety of positions of increasing scope and responsibility, including Deputy Superintendent, Programs, Standards and Regulatory Affairs and Deputy Superintendent, Operations. Prior to joining the federal public service and the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, Mr. Mayrand was a full-time professor at the University of Ottawa, Civil Law Section, where he taught insolvency, corporate/commercial law and public and administrative law.

Mr. Mayrand holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Ottawa and a Masters in Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1977.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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