Prime Minister Harper wants Jennifer Stoddart reappointed

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the nomination of Jennifer Stoddart for reappointment as Privacy Commissioner of Canada for a three-year term. Ms Stoddart has been serving as the Privacy Commissioner of Canada since December 2003.

“Jennifer Stoddart is extremely well qualified to continue in the role of Privacy Commissioner of Canada”, said the Prime Minister. “She brings to the position considerable expertise in privacy protection issues and a deep understanding of the importance of open and transparent government. I am pleased that she has agreed to be nominated to continue in this important role”.

The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of the Environment will be tabling this nomination for consideration by the House of Commons.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner was created in 1977 under the Canadian Human Rights Act, Part IV. The Privacy Act, which currently governs the functions of the Privacy Commission, was adopted in 1983.

As an Agent of Parliament, the Privacy Commissioner oversees compliance with both the Privacy Act, which covers the personal information-handling practices of federal government departments and agencies, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, Canada’s private sector privacy law. The mission of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is to protect and promote the privacy rights of individuals.