Appointment of an Interim Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada

OTTAWA, Feb. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, thanked the outgoing Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), Don Head, for his 40 years of service and dedication as he officially retires from the CSC on February 3.

Mr. Head began his career in the Federal Public Service in 1978 as a Correctional Officer at William Head Institution in B.C.  Since that time, he took on various operational and managerial positions, not only with CSC but also with corrections in Saskatchewan and the Yukon. In 2002, Mr. Head rejoined CSC as the Senior Deputy Commissioner, responsible for a number of key initiatives, including leading the CSC Transformation Team. He was appointed CSC Commissioner on June 27, 2008. Mr. Head has received numerous commendations and awards throughout his career including the Governor General's Corrections Exemplary Service Medal and Bar, and the Public Service Award of Excellence for Diversity and Employment Equity.

The Government of Canada intends to move promptly in selecting a new Commissioner through an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process. In the interim, Senior Deputy Commissioner Anne Kelly will assume the role of Interim Commissioner. A Notice of Appointment Opportunity will be posted in the coming weeks.

Quotes

"I would like to thank Commissioner Head for his leadership on countless key files and initiatives during his 40 years of service. As Commissioner, he invested significantly in his staff, both on professional and personal levels, supporting the development and implementation of programs to help manage conflict, develop skills and knowledge to build resilience and improve mental health in the workplace."

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring an open, transparent and merit-based process to select a new Commissioner for the Correctional Service of Canada. She or he will need to demonstrate exemplary leadership to encourage and help offenders become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control. Our correctional system must better address the needs of the most vulnerable and foster rehabilitation so that we have fewer repeat offenders, fewer victims, and ultimately, safer communities."

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Quick Facts

• In February 2016, the Government of Canada adopted a new, more rigorous approach to Governor in Council (GiC) appointments.
• This approach supports open, transparent and merit-based selection processes that are open to all Canadians.
• Candidates must be able to perform their duties with integrity and the highest levels of ethical behaviour and professionalism.
• Under the leadership of its Commissioner, CSC is the federal government agency responsible for administering sentences of a term of two years or more, as imposed by the court. CSC is responsible for managing institutions of various security levels and supervising offenders under conditional release in the community.

Associated Links

• Correctional Service Canada
• Governor in Council Appointments – Opportunities

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Scott Bardsley, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]