Canada’s first Commissioner of Lobbying appointed as Ottawa’s new Integrity Commissioner

The city has officially appointed its new Integrity Commissioner, the successor to Robert Marleau, who will also be the city’s second to take on the position.

Karen Shepherd, a professional who has worked for over 30 years in the federal public service, will be filling the position, it was announced Friday.

Shepherd will assume the role of Integrity Commissioner on September 1. Her initial appointment is one year with an option to renew for a five-year term.

More than half of Shepherd's experience also includes working in the field of ethics.

In 2009, Shepherd was appointed as Canada’s first Commissioner of Lobbying. She managed a two-year national consultation process that resulted in a stronger federal Lobbyists Code of Conduct.

She was a part of creating a Canada-wide forum for lobbying regulators through the Lobbying Commissioners and Registrars Network, as well as created strong bilateral ties with several countries include the U.S., Chile and Peru.

As executive advisor to the Deputy Minister of Health, she gave advice on engagement and transparency for key files like the opioid crisis.

Before retiring in 2020, she assumed the role of Ombudsman for Health Canada and the Public Health Agency.

The city says Shepherd was selected as the preferred candidate by an interview panel that included the City Clerk, the Deputy Clerk and the Auditor General. The recruitment and appointment process was conducted at the direction of Council.

It's anticipated Marleau will work with Shepherd during a transition period from mid-July to the end of August.

The Integrity Commissioner is an independent and impartial statutory officer who reports directly to city council. The role involves making municipal government more transparent and accountable.

The process to recruit a new Integrity Commissioner started on March 10.

Marleau has agreed to take part in an exit interview on July 16.