Canadian Firearms Centre Commissioner Baker leaves the CFC for CRA

Michel Dorais, commissioner of the Canada Revenue Agency, announced today that William Baker, until recently commissioner of the Canadian Firearms Centre , will leave that agency and take up the newly created post of CEO/COO of the Canada Revenue Agency. Mr Baker came to the Canadian Firearms Centre from Revenue, and returns to his roots as a longtime CRA bureaucrat.

Mr. Baker's departure comes on the heels of the announcement by Stockwell Day, Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, that control of the Firearms Centre would return to the RCMP. Both the Firearms Centre and the Canada Revenue Agency were given poor marks by Auditor General Sheila Fraser in her 2006 Report.

The Canadian Firearms Centre remains at the centre of controversy over spending and contracting practices. Mr. Baker will assume his duties at CRA on May 23, 2006.