Citizens� Representative office open for business

Fraser March, Citizens� Representative for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced today that his office, located in the Beothuk Building at 20 Crosbie Place, St. John�s is officially "open for business".

"I am very pleased to be making this announcement," said Mr. March. "The office is presently involved in more than 60 investigations with new cases opening daily. There are many citizens and groups of citizens who wish to have their complaints and grievances with public policy addressed."

The Citizens� Representative is appointed as an impartial officer of the House of Assembly for a period of six years. Mr. March was appointed to the position effective February 1, 2002 and, under the Citizens� Representative Act passed in the Spring 2001 sitting of the House of Assembly, has all the traditional powers of an ombudsman.

Mr. March also announced that Sandra Mitchell Cooney has been appointed to the position of office manager. "Ms. Mitchell Cooney has considerable administrative experience in the application of public policy and is presently overseeing the establishment of an effective and efficient Citizens� Representative office."

Members of the public are advised to contact Fraser or Sandra at the Office of the Citizens� Representative by calling (709) 729-7647, or toll-free 1-800-559-0079, by faxing (709) 729-7696, by writing the Office of the Citizens� Representative at P.O. Box 8400, St. John�s, NF A1B 3N7, or by e-mailing citrep@gov.nf.ca

Media contact: Sandra Mitchell Cooney, (709) 729-7647.

2002 03 01                        12:55 p.m.