February 17, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Minister Dryden proposes appointment of Commissioner of Canada Pension Plan/Old Age Security Review Tribunals

OTTAWA—The Honourable Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today proposed the appointment of Philippe Rabot as Commissioner of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) / Old Age Security (OAS) Review Tribunal.

The appointment will be referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. The Government looks forward to receiving the results of the Committee's review as soon as possible.

“Mr. Rabot has great experience at a senior level in the administrative tribunal community. His vast involvement at various levels of governments will be an important asset to the Tribunal. His leadership will help the Tribunal continue to offer the fair representation expected by all Canadians,” said Minister Dryden.

Currently Chair of the RCMP External Review Committee, Mr. Rabot has worked as a manager and adjudicator for numerous federal and provincial administrative tribunals for more than 20 years. He has been Chair of the RCMP External Review Committee since 1998. He was previously Vice-Chair of the Assessment Review Board of Ontario, Secretary of the Copyright Board of Canada and Assistant Director General of the Appeals Directorate, Public Service Commission of Canada. Mr. Rabot is also the Secretary of the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals and a member of its Board of Directors.

Mr. Rabot holds a law degree from the University of Ottawa and is a member of the Quebec Bar.

The Office of the Commissioner for Review Tribunals oversees the work of review tribunals that hear appeals from CPP and OAS clients whose applications for benefits have been denied. A review tribunal is a quasi-judicial body that operates independently from Social Development Canada to hear and decide on appeals of decisions brought forward under the CPP or the Old Age Security Act.

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