Effective immediately, Travis Wooley has been named the acting Chief Electoral Officer and Ann Chafe has been named the acting Commissioner for Legislative Standards. Where the House of Assembly is not presently sitting, these acting appointments are made by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council on recommendation from the House of Assembly Management Commission.

Both Mr. Wooley and Ms. Chafe held their respective positions previously. They replace Bruce Chaulk whose six year term as Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner for Legislative Standards ended on December 11, 2022.

In early December, the Provincial Government appointed Retired Supreme Court Justice Fowler to conduct a review of the statutory offices. As part of this review, Justice Fowler will review the structure, reporting and accountability of the statutory offices of the House of Assembly – including the Commissioner for Legislative Standards, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, Office of the Citizens’ Representative, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, Office of the Seniors’ Advocate – and prepare a report that includes recommendations.

The appointment of statutory officers follows the Independent Appointment Commission’s merit-based appointment process, and will ultimately be decided by a resolution in the House of Assembly. Statutory offices operate independently from the Provincial Government and report to the House of Assembly.

-30-