FORMER B.C. Supreme Court justice Victoria Gray, QC, has been appointed as the conflict of interest commissioner for British Columbia’s legislative assembly.

The commissioner is a non-partisan, independent officer of the legislative assembly. The commissioner’s mandate includes reviewing members’ confidential disclosure statements, providing advice to members regarding their financial interests, and conducting investigations and inquiries when required.

A special legislative committee unanimously recommended appointing Gray, who served as a B.C. Supreme Court justice for 16 years until her retirement in 2017.

After receiving her bachelor of laws degree from the University of Toronto, she practised law as a commercial litigator in Vancouver for 19 years and taught civil litigation at the Peter A. Allard school of law at the University of British Columbia. She has chaired several boards, including the Law Foundation of B.C., YWCA Metro Vancouver and West Coast LEAF Society.

The position of conflict of interest commissioner became vacant with the passing of Paul D.K. Fraser, QC, in March 2019. Lynn Smith, QC, was appointed acting commissioner in June 2019.