Election law enforcer, William Corbett, resigns in midst of robocall probe

OTTAWA – William Corbett, chief enforcer of Canada’s election laws, has resigned in the midst of a major investigation into misleading robocalls during the last federal vote.

Elections Canada spokesman John Enright says it was Corbett’s decision to retire after five years as commissioner of elections.

He will be replaced by Yves Cote, a longtime bureaucrat who most recently served as associate deputy minister of justice.

The Harper government, which has been critical of the commissioner’s pursuit of alleged electoral wrongdoing by the Conservatives, had no role in Corbett’s departure or in choosing his successor.

Enright says Cote was appointed on merit by chief electoral officer Marc Mayrand, following a competitive process.

The commissioner is responsible for ensuring compliance with and enforcement of the Canada Elections Act.