The Government of Canada Announces Judicial Appointments in the Province of Ontario

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 17, 2016) - Department of Justice Canada

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Jonathon C. George, a provincial court judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in London, is appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in London to replace Mr. Justice B.M. Miller, who was elevated to the Ontario Court of Appeal on June 19, 2015.

Calum U. C. MacLeod, a Case Management Master of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa, is appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa to replace Madam Justice H. Levenson Polowin. who passed away on May 5, 2016.

Freya Kristjanson, a partner with Wardle Daley Bernstein Bieber LLP in Toronto, is appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto to replace Mr. Justice G. Mew, who was transferred to Kingston to replace Justice Scott on June 20, 2015.

Sharon Lavine, a partner with Greenspan Humphrey Lavine in Toronto, is appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Oshawa to replace Madam Justice M.L. Lack, who elected supernumerary status effective January 1, 2016.

Lucy K. McSweeney, Children's Lawyer for Ontario, is appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Brampton to replace Mr. Justice D.L. Edwards, who was transferred effective March 13, 2016.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Quick Facts

• The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs administers the advisory committees, representing each province and territory, which assess the qualifications of the lawyers who apply for federal judicial appointments.
• Consultations in both the legal and non-legal community are undertaken by the committee in respect of each applicant.
• Lawyer candidates are notified of the date they were assessed by the committee, and assessments are valid for a period of two years from that date. During that time, a "recommended" candidate remains on the list of those available for judicial appointment by the Minister of Justice.
• Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet. A recommendation for appointment is made to Cabinet by the Minister of Justice with respect to the appointment of puisne judges, and by the Prime Minister with respect to the appointment of Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices.
• The Government is considering ways to strengthen the judicial appointments process, guided by the same principles of openness, transparency, and merit as reflected in the Government's new process applicable to Governor in Council (GIC) appointments more generally. The Government is committed to ensuring that Canada's judiciary truly reflects the face of Canada.
• Reforms of the judicial appointments process will take time and require appropriate consultations, including with the judiciary, the legal community and the general public.

Quote

"We know that our country is stronger, and our judicial system more effective, when our judges reflect Canada's diversity. As promised, we have filled the urgent judicial vacancies by drawing on a list of recommended candidates who are of the highest calibre and who are as diverse as Canada. I have every confidence in the judgment of these appointees and in their commitment - and ability - to deliver just outcomes for Canadians. Moving forward, we will continue to search for ways to strengthen the judicial appointment process so that it is even more open, transparent, and merit-based."

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Related Products

- Biography of the Honourable Jonathon C. George

- Biography of Calum U. C. MacLeod

- Biography of Freya Kristjanson

- Biography of Sharon Lavine

- Biography of Lucy K. McSweeney

Associated Links

- Ontario Superior Court of Justice

- Canada's Court System

- Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs

- Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982

- Judges Act

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