New Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner, and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner for the Yukon sworn in

Fri, Oct 14, 2022

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon has a new Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC), and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner (PIDC). Jason Pedlar was sworn in to the position during a ceremony at the Yukon Legislative Assembly this morning, for a term that begins today and continues for five years.

Pedlar becomes the first person to be appointed as an officer of the Yukon Legislative Assembly (YLA) from within their office. He has worked at the Office of the Ombudsman, IPC and PIDC since October 2018, first as the Director of Intake and Informal Case Resolution and then as the Deputy Ombudsman, IPC and PIDC starting in July 2021.

“I am honoured that the Yukon Legislative Assembly and Yukoners have placed their trust in me,” said Pedlar. “Over the coming months, I hope to meet with lawmakers to highlight our work and answer any questions on my vision for our office. As well, I intend to meet with citizens of Yukon communities to hear about their concerns and to inform them of the services we provide.”

The mandate for Pedlar’s office is set out in four pieces of legislation, the Ombudsman Act, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA), the Health Information Privacy and Management Act (HIPMA) and the Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act (PIDWA).

“My hope is that the authorities, public bodies, custodians and public entities set out under all four pieces of legislation will see our office as a resource they can use to improve their processes and ensure they are meeting the needs of Yukoners,” added Pedlar.

On July 13th this year, an all-party committee of the Members’ Services Board of the YLA recommended that Pedlar be appointed as Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner, and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner. The committee’s recommendation was confirmed by the YLA through the passage of a motion to appoint Pedlar on Tuesday, October 11th.

In July of this year, Diane McLeod-McKay resigned as Ombudsman, IPC and PIDC to become the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Alberta. “I would like to thank my predecessor for her commitment and leadership,” said Pedlar. “I look forward to building on the work she led and continuing to work to benefit Yukoners under all of our office’s mandates.”

The Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner, and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner is an independent officer of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. For more information, please go to www.yukonombudsman.ca.

To download a PDF of this news release, click here.

Contact:

Elaine Schiman 
Communications Manager
Office of the Yukon Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner & Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner                  
elaine.schiman@yukonombudsman.ca
867-332-4555
www.yukonombudsman.ca

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