PRIME MINISTER APPOINTS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF CANADA

November 13, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of Ms. Maria Barrados as interim President of the Public Service Commission of Canada, effective November 20, 2003. Ms. Barrados is currently Assistant Auditor General, Audit Operations, at the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

She succeeds Mr. Scott Serson who is retiring from the Public Service after a career spanning over 25 years. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank Mr. Serson for his dedication to the Public Service and his excellence in serving Canadians over the years and to wish him well in his future endeavours.

Biographical information attached.

- 30 -

Biographical Information

Maria Barrados is currently Assistant Auditor General, Audit Operations, at the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, a position she has held since December 1993. Dr. Barrados, who was educated as a sociologist, has a wealth of knowledge and a solid background in audit, evaluation and statistical analysis.

She began her career as a Lecturer and later a Research Project Supervisor at Carleton University. In March 1985, she joined the office of the Auditor General and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the Audit Operations Branch since that time.

Dr. Barrados is a Member of the President's Advisory Council for Management Studies, Carleton University and a Member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board of Ottawa and the Ottawa Grace Manor Board.

During her tenure at the office of the Auditor General, she has had senior management responsibility for reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the House of Commons, including, "Recruitment for Canada's Future Public Service : Changing the System", and "Modernizing Accountability in the Public Sector".

Dr. Barrados obtained a B. A. with high honours in Sociology from the University of Saskatchewan, an M. A. in Sociology from McGill University and a Ph. D. in Sociology from Carleton University.