Johanne Bélisle has been appointed chief executive officer of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, effective September 8 2015.
Bélisle is assistant deputy minister, Quebec region, at Employment and Social Development Canada. Since 2007, she has been assistant deputy minister at various other departments, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Public Works and Government Services Canada.
CIPO is responsible for the administration and processing of the greater part of intellectual property in Canada.
Sylvain Laporte, the former commissioner of patents, registrar of trade marks, and chief executive officer, departed in March to become president of the Canadian Space Agency. He had held the role since April 2011.
Pierre Bélisle, who was executive director, is the acting chief executive officer.
