Peter MacKay, minister of national defence and minister for the Atlantic gateway, has appointed Peter deCarteret Cory, chancellor emeritus of York University, as the new commissioner of the Office of the Communications Security Establishment Commissioner (OCSEC).
“I am pleased to announce Mr. Cory's appointment to this important position,” said MacKay on Dec. 3. “As a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Mr. Cory brings impeccable credentials, wisdom and experience to the Office of the Communications Security Establishment Commissioner.”
Right: Peter deCarteret Cory
Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) is Canada's national cryptologic agency. The agency provides the Government of Canada with two key services: foreign signals intelligence in support of defence and foreign policy, and the protection of electronic information and communication.
A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, which later became affiliated with York University, Cory was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1989. Since his retirement from the court in 1999, he has continued to play a leading international role and has been sought out for his legal and public policy expertise.
From 2004 to 2008, he served as the 11th chancellor of York University. In October 2008 he was appointed an honorary member of the York University Board of Governors. He also received an honorary doctor of laws from York in 1997.
As commissioner of CSEC, Cory's mandate will be threefold: to review its activities and attest to their compliance with the laws of Canada; to report any instances of non-compliance to the minister of national defence and the attorney general of Canada; and to investigate any complaint when he deems it necessary.
The commissioner reports annually on his findings to the minister of national defence, who in turn submits the report to both houses of Parliament. To ensure he is able to fulfill his responsibilities, Cory will have access to all documents related to the operations of the agency and to the personnel of the CSE.
For more information, visit the Office of the Communications Security Establishment Commissioner Web site.