Ottawa - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, today announced the appointment of Kevin Michael Vickers of Ottawa, Ontario, as the new Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons.

A 29-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Kevin Vickers joined the House of Commons as Director of Security Operations in June, 2005. He brings to the position a wealth of experience in and knowledge of safety and security matters. During his 29-year career with the RCMP, he held positions of increasing responsibility and scope, including District Commander, Acadian Peninsula and Director General, National Contract Policing Branch. Mr. Vickers also served as an Aide-de-Camp for the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. He is the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the Canada 125 Medal and the RCMP Long Service Medal, and has been recognized by the Community of Burnt Church for outstanding service to their community and by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency for his “Outstanding Contribution to Drug Enforcement”.

“The Sergeant-at-Arms is a position vital to the effective and efficient functioning of the House of Commons, and I am pleased that Kevin Vickers has agreed to serve in this important role" said the Minister. "Not only does he bring to the position an impressive background in safety and security, he also embodies those qualities that parliamentarians and Canadians expect in a Sergeant-at-Arms. I have every confidence that Mr. Vickers will fulfill his role as Sergeant-at-Arms with the same loyalty, distinction and honour that he has displayed during his career, both with the RCMP and, most recently, in his current role as Director of Security Operations with the House of Commons", added the Minister.

The Minister also took the opportunity to thank Audrey O'Brien, Clerk of the House of Commons, who assumed the responsibilities of the Sergeant-at-Arms while the position was vacant, for her exemplary service in fulfilling the dual role during this time, and for her continued loyalty and dedication to the work of the House of Commons and its Members.

The Sergeant-at-Arms is a position steeped in parliamentary tradition. The Sergeant-at-Arms, one of four positions reporting to the Clerk of the House of Commons, is responsible for safeguarding the authority of the House of Commons, the safety and security of the Parliament buildings and their occupants, ensuring and controlling access to the House of Commons, the preservation of order and the management of all Parliamentary buildings, assets and related services.

Mr. Vickers will assume the position of Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons effective September 1, 2006.