Government of Canada appoints permanent Correctional Investigator

David Paradiso is an accomplished executive leader with 35 years of experience in public sector oversight, legal analysis and independent investigations. He has advanced fairness, accountability and organizational performance across multiple Canadian jurisdictions and is well-positioned to lead the OCI on a permanent basis.

Ottawa – Sept 29, 2026 – The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement:

"Today, we welcome the appointment of the Correctional Investigator of Canada, David Paradiso.

The Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) serves as the independent ombuds for federally sentenced offenders in Canada, providing impartial oversight of the Correctional Service of Canada. The Correctional Investigator leads the OCI by investigating complaints, reviewing correctional practices and recommending improvements to help ensure federally sentenced individuals are treated fairly.

David Paradiso is an accomplished executive leader with 35 years of experience in public sector oversight, legal analysis and independent investigations. He has advanced fairness, accountability and organizational performance across multiple Canadian jurisdictions and is well-positioned to lead the OCI on a permanent basis.

The appointment is effective October 13, 2026.

I look forward to working with the Correctional Investigator and his team to support a correctional system that is safe, humane and focused on rehabilitation and successful reintegration.

As we welcome the incoming Correctional Investigator, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Valerie Phillips for her dedicated leadership and valuable contributions as Interim Correctional Investigator since June 18, 2026."

David Paradiso received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University in 1987, and a Bachelor of Laws from Western University in 1990. He was called to the bar in 1991 and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.