OTTAWA - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), today announced the appointment of Mr. John Walter as a Executive Director of the Council.

"I am very pleased to appoint Mr. Walter as the Executive Director of the SCC, and look forward to his contribution to the Council," said Minister Clement. "I have no doubt that Mr. Walter's strong executive experience and knowledge of the Canadian standards industry will contribute to advancing the Council's important work."

Mr. Walter is Vice President, Standards Development for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Prior to joining CSA in 2001, Mr. Walter spent five years as the President and CEO of the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA), a non-government, not-for-profit organization mandated to deliver public safety services for the Province of Ontario.

From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Walter was the Assistant Deputy Minister, Technical Standards Division for the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. He was responsible for the administration and regulatory compliance for seven public safety acts.

The Standards Council of Canada is a Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective standardization in Canada. It facilitates the development and use of national and international standards and offers accreditation services with the goal of enhancing Canada's economic competitiveness and social well-being.