Premier Stephen McNeil announced today, Nov. 29, that Dwight Bishop will retire Dec. 31. Mr. Bishop has served as Nova Scotia Ombudsman since 2004.

“I want to thank Mr. Bishop for his dedicated service to our province,” said Premier McNeil.

“He has advanced the role and presence of the Office of the Ombudsman and demonstrated a high level of professionalism and service delivery in his office. The people of Nova Scotia were well served during his term.”

Mr. Bishop said he did not wish to seek reappointment and looks forward to retirement.

“I have enjoyed a unique privilege, an opportunity to both serve the public and to influence how the public should be served,” Mr. Bishop said.

Appointed in 2004 and reappointed in 2009, Mr. Bishop served two terms as Ombudsman. He also served as Acting Review Officer, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy, from January 2006 to February 2007.

Mr. Bishop is a lawyer who also served as a member of the RCMP for 34 years, retiring as an Assistant Commissioner and Commanding Officer for Nova Scotia.

The recruitment process for a new Ombudsman will begin shortly.

The Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints against provincial and municipal government departments, agencies, boards and commissions. It also provides youth and seniors services, and a public interest disclosure of wrongdoing or whistleblowing process. For more information, go to www.novascotia.ca/ombu/ .

Source: Release