New Brunswick premier appoints new acting ombudsman

New Brunswick has a new acting ombudsman, just two days after the province’s consumer advocate for insurance argued in its annual report that its duties should remain separate from the ombudsman’s office.

New Brunswick’s premier David Alward announced Thursday that Jennifer Murray has been appointed acting ombudsman, effective immediately

Murray was most recently the director of legal and corporate services in the Office of the Ombudsman, which has a mandate to conduct independent investigations of complaints.

She has been with the office since 2004, which the exception of a 14-month period when she worked as a senior policy advisor with the Department of Health.

Murrary fills a role left vacant by Francois Levert, who reportedly left the role last month.

“Jennifer’s past experience, education, skills and government experience will help her to carry out the duties of her office effectively,” Premier Alward noted in a statement.

“I am confident that she will be a key component in continuing the fine work of the Office of the Ombudsman, which helps provide a valuable service to the people of our province.”

The appointment will remain effective until a new selection process is in place to enable the legislative assembly to appoint a permanent ombudsman, the government statement noted.

Earlier this week, the Office of the Consumer Advocate for Insurance in the province released its annual report. In it, the consumer advocate expressed opposition to a recommendation set out in a 2011 report from Bernard Richard, then the provincial ombudsman, that the consumer advocate office be included under the Office of the Ombudsman,.

“The Consumer Advocate is opposed to these recommendations or any other recommendations that would lessen or undermine the independence and the legislative status of the Consumer Advocate and the Office of the Consumer Advocate,” the report said.

“The issue has remained outstanding throughout 2012, without any official response from the governing authorities involved in the matter.”