Justice and Public Safety
October 20, 2016

Consumer Advocate Appointed for Newfoundland and Labrador

Dennis Browne, QC, has been appointed Consumer Advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador. In this capacity, Mr. Browne will represent the interests of domestic and general service customers in relation to specific hearings and applications before the Public Utilities Board. Mr. Browne’s appointment was made through the Independent Appointments Commission (IAC) and follows the conclusion of Thomas Johnson’s appointment as Consumer Advocate.

“Mr. Browne brings considerable experience to this position having served previously as Consumer Advocate for eight years. I am confident he will ensure full consumer representation during the important matters currently before the Public Utilities Board, including capital budget and general rate applications for Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. I also thank Mr. Johnson for his many years of service as consumer advocate.”
- The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

This marks the third appointment under the Independent Appointments Commission Act. Recent appointments include Dennis Hogan as Chief Executive Officer of Workplace NL and appointments to the Teachers’ Pension Plan Corporation Board of Directors. Newfoundland and Labrador is the first Canadian province to establish a legislated, merit-based appointment process.

A biography for Mr. Browne is provided in the backgrounder below.

QUICK FACTS

• Dennis Browne, QC, has been appointed as Consumer Advocate. He replaces Thomas Johnson, whose appointment as Consumer Advocate has concluded.
• The appointment followed the merits-based process established by the Independent Appointments Commission Act and recommendations of the Independent Appointments Commission.
• As Consumer Advocate, Mr. Browne will represent the interests of domestic and general service customers in relation to specific hearings and applications before the Public Utilities Board.

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Media contact:

Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Justice and Public Safety 709-729-6985, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Biography for Dennis Browne, QC

Dennis Browne has practised law since 1984 and works with the law firm of Browne Fitzgerald Morgan and Avis in St. John’s. From 1996 to 2004, he served as Consumer Advocate, representing electricity customers before the Public Utilities Board in Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro general rate applications and capital budget hearings. During his time as Consumer Advocate, Mr. Browne also addressed the Canadian Conference of Energy Regulators on New Regulatory Approaches in the Energy Sector. In 2003, he participated in the PUB’s first mediation efforts to bring together Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Newfoundland Power, industrial customers and domestic rate payers resolving relevant issues on cost of service. Mr. Browne acts for administrative tribunals including the College of Physicians and Surgeons, has chaired interdisciplinary panels for professional associations including the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and has lectured in labour law at Memorial University. He is a member of the Federal Panel of Adjudicators, the Newfoundland and Labrador Panel of Arbitrators and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is married to author Susan Chalker Browne.

2016 10 20                              12:00 p.m.