In Hameed v. Canada 2024 FC 242 the Federal Court has declared that the Federal Executive is required to make timely judicial appointments within a “reasonable time of vacancy.” The Honourable Mr. Justice Henry Brown, ruling on the decision, found the number of judicial vacancies (85) appalling and untenable and ordered that “appointments to fill judicial vacancies… must be made within a reasonable time.”
Since then, there have been a steady stream of judicial appointments.
February 20, 2024
On February 20, one week after the Hameed decision, the Honourable Arif Virani, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced four appointments, three in Saskatchewan and one in Nunavut.
Virani announced the appointment of the following judges for Nova Scotia. The Honourable Robin Gogan was appointed a Judge to replace Justice Duncan Beveridge, who resigned in April 3, 2023, for the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal in Halifax. Terrance G. Sheppard, K.C. was appointed a Judge to replace Justice S. Raymond Morse, who retired on August 13, 2021, for the Family Division of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Lastly, Christine Doucet was appointed a Judge to replace Justice Elizabeth Jollimore, who resigned August 31, 2023, for the Family Division of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. These positions were waiting to be filled for 10 months, 2 and a half years, and 5 and a half months respectively.
Virani also announced the appointment of Faiyaz Alibhai as a Judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice, replacing Justice Bonnie Tulloch who resigned on October 1, 2022.
February 28, 2024
On February 28, the Honourable Arif Virani announced five judicial appointments in British Columbia. The following appointments were Sandra Sukstorf, Christopher Greenwood, Maegen Giltrow, K. C., Karrie Anne Wolfe, K.C., and Y. Liliane Bantourakis. All five were appointed to the Supreme Court
Sandra Sukstorf filled one of the three newly created positions from 2022 in the Supreme Court. Christopher Greenwood replaced Justice G. S. Funt who became a supernumerary judge on November 26, 2022. Maegen Giltrow, K.C. replaced Justice G. MacIntosh who retired on April 30, 2023. Karrie Anne Wolfe, K.C., replaced Justice R.D. Punnet who became a supernumerary judge on July 23, 2022. Y. Liliane Bantourakis replaced Justice P.W. Walker who became a supernumerary judge on June 18, 2023.
March 26, 2024
A full month after, on March 26, the Honourable Arif Virani announced two judicial appointments in Ontario, four in Quebec, and one in Manitoba.
Robynne B. Kazina was appointed a Judge of the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba to the Family Division in Winnipeg, replacing Justice J.A. MacPhail who became a supernumerary judge on January 22, 2024.
The following two appointments in Ontario were Colin P. Stevenson and Gilead Kay. Colin P. Stevenson was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, replacing Justice A.M. Pollack who became a supernumerary judge on February 2023. Gilead Kay was appointed to the Superior Court as a family judge, filling a newly created vacancy.
The following four appointments in Quebec were Bernard Larocque, Catherine Martel, Patrick Ferland, and Luc Morin. All four were appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montreal. Bernard Larocque replaced Justice S. Bourque, who became a supernumerary judge on May 15, 2023. Catherine Martel replaced Justice P. Mayer who became a supernumerary judge on June 18, 2023. Patrick Ferland replaced Justice J-F Michaud who became Associate Chief Justice on June 21, 2023. Luc Morin replaced Justicce Y. Poirier who became a supernumerary judge on July 21, 2023.
April 15
Just yesterday, the Honourable Arif Virani announced seven judicial appointments in Alberta. The Government of Canada says on their website that the process of appointment “emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.” The Following appointments were the Honourable Tamara Friesen, the Honourable Joshua B. Hawkes, Maureen J. McGuire, K.C., Kelsey L. Brookes, Shane Parker, K.C., M. Oliver Ho, and Derek Jugnauth.
The Honourable Tamara Friesen was appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in Edmonton, replacing Justice F.: Schutz who resigned on October 12, 2023. The Honourable Joshua B. Hawkes was appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in Calgary, replacing Justice B.L. Veldhuis who retired on May 1, 2023. Maureen J. McGuire, K.C. was appointed as a Justice of the Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton, replacing Justice R. P. Belzil who became a supernumerary judge on December 31, 2023. Kelsey L. Brookes was appointed a Justice of the Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton, replacing the aforementioned Honourable Tamara Friesen. Shane Parker, K.C. was appointed as a Justice of the Court of King’s Bench in Calgary, replacing Justice K.D. Yamauchi who became a supernumerary judge on December 13, 2022. M. Oliver Ho was appointed as a Justice of the Court of King’s Bench, replacing Justice D. B. Nixon who became Associate Chief Justice of the Court of King’s Bench on October 5, 2023. Lastly, Derek Jugnauth was appointed as a Justice of the Court of King’s Bench in Calgary, replacing Justice A. Woolley who became Justice of the Court of Appeal of Alberta on October 20, 2023.
