NEW LEGAL AID CHAIR

Saskatoon lawyer Barry Singer, Q.C. has been appointed Chair of the

Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission. In addition, University of Regina Professor

Michael Rushton has been appointed a member of the commission.



"These appointments will help us better administer Saskatchewan's legal aid

plan, a plan that is an integral part of the justice system in this province,"

acting Justice Minister John Nilson said. "Both Mr. Singer and Mr. Rushton

bring a wealth of experience to their role as chair and member of the

Commission."



Partner in the Hnatyshyn Singer Thorstad Law Office and Vice-Chair of the

Saskatchewan Police Commission, Singer began his legal career with the northern

office of Legal Aid in 1974.



He was a member of the Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission as representative of

the Law Society of Saskatchewan from 1991 to 1997. Singer was appointed a

member of the commission again in 2000.



Rushton is appointed to the Legal Aid Commission to fill the vacancy resulting

from Singer's appointment as chair.



Amendments to The Legal Aid Act, passed in the spring of 2000, separated the

offices of chair person and chief executive officer. Singer replaces Jane

Lancaster, who will continue as the Commission CEO.



Nilson said the size and administrative challenges of the commission called for

a separation of the offices, allowing the chief executive officer to

concentrate more fully on administration and bringing the roles more in line

with other public and private organizations.



Other members of the Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission include: Anita Jackson,

Lac LaRonge; Debra Edin, Melfort; Donald Rosten, Saskatoon; Alayne Bigwin,

Regina; Robert Gibbings, Saskatoon; Barry Morgan, Saskatoon; Rod Crook, Regina;

and Marilyn Hedlund, Regina.



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For more information, contact:



Debi McEwen

Saskatchewan Justice

Regina

Phone: 787-6043