February 16, 2005
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Paul Martin today announced the appointment of Jean-Claude Bouchard currently Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, as the new President of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), effective March 14, 2005.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Bouchard as President of the CEAA,” said the Prime Minister. “His experience and leadership will provide important guidance to ensure timely and effective environmental assessments for Canadians.”

Jean-Claude Bouchard, from Ottawa, Ontario has been Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans since September 2002. Mr. Bouchard began his Public Service career in 1971, and has held a variety of positions since that time, including Director General, Personnel, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources; Deputy Secretary, Human Resources Policy, Treasury Board Secretariat; Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources Services, Human Resources Development Canada; and, Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations Sector, Industry Canada. From September 1997 to May 2000, Mr. Bouchard held the position of Vice-President with the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. Mr. Bouchard obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Université de Montréal.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency works at strengthening the federal environmental assessment regime by: establishing a more predictable, consistent and timely process; improving the quality of federal environmental assessments; and increasing opportunities for public participation. The Agency’s objectives include promoting uniformity and harmonization in the assessment of environmental effects across Canada at all levels of government; conducting research in matters of environmental assessment and encouraging the development of environmental assessment techniques and practices. The Agency works to ensure Canadians have access to high-quality environmental assessments that contribute to informed decision making, in support of sustainable development