Dr. Caroline J. Simard has served as Commissioner of Canada Elections since August 2022. In this role, she leads the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections, the independent organization responsible for ensuring compliance with the Canada Elections Act and the Referendum Act, thereby helping protect the integrity of Canada’s federal electoral process. Under her leadership, the Office is adapting to an ever-evolving electoral environment, including challenges posed by digital technologies, disinformation and foreign interference, in collaboration with Canadian and international partners.

Dr. Simard has more than 30 years of experience in law, regulation, compliance, partnerships and governance in both the private and public sectors, in Canada and internationally.

Prior to her appointment, she served as Vice-Chair, Broadcasting, at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. She has also worked with the Department of Justice Canada and for the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies.

Dr. Simard is a lawyer and holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in law