About the Commissioner for Legislative Standards
Introduction
The Commissioner for Legislative Standards (Commissioner) is appointed under the House of Assembly Act.
Elected members of the House of Assembly are required to disclose to the Commissioner their private interests to guard against any real perceived conflicts of interest. The Commissioner may also be required to review the actions of a member under the Code of Conduct for members. The Code is the standard by which all members agree to govern themselves in carrying out their responsibilities as elected officials.
Commissioner's Role
The Commissioner is an officer of the House of Assembly and reports annually upon the affairs of the office to the Speaker of the Assembly, who then presents the report to the House of Assembly.
Ann Chafe is the current Commissioner for Legislative Standards (Acting). She has been in her current role as Acting Commissioner since December 2022.
Legislation
The Commissioner of Legislative Standards has responsibilities under three provincial statutes:
- House of Assembly Act
- House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act
- Conflict of Interest Act, 1995
Former Commissioners
The House of Assembly (Amendment) Act was proclaimed on June 1, 1993. In addition to the current Commissioner, there have been six individuals who held the office of Commissioner for Legislative Standards. They are:
- Mr. Bruce Chaulk (December 2016 - December 2022)
- Mr. Victor Powers (May 2011 - May 2016)
- Mr. Paul Reynolds (June 2007 - April 2011)
- Mr. Charles Furey (May 2006 - April 2007)
- Mr. Wayne Green (April 2001 - April 2006)
- Mr. Robert Jenkins (December 1996 - March 2001)
- Mr. Wayne Mitchell (May 1993 - December 1996)