A relatively unknown research director has been named as the country's next parliamentary budget officer.


Prime Minister Stephen Harper has tapped economist Jean-Denis Frechette for the watchdog job, replacing Kevin Page whose term expired earlier this year.


Federal sources say Frechette was one of three people on the Conservative government's short list and he was the only candidate given a briefing about the inner workings of the budget office.


He has a background at the Library of Parliament, but has apparently never been involved in developing or analyzing a federal budget.


The position of budget officer was created by the Conservatives following the Liberal sponsorship scandal.


The office was the subject of much political debate when it was run by the often-combative Page.