Jul 2, 2021 | International
Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process 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.
Lorena K. Harris, partner at Dentons in Edmonton, is appointed a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. Madam Justice Harris replaces Madam Justice J. Goss (Edmonton), who elected to resign effective September 11, 2020.
Quote
“I wish Justice Harris every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve the people of Alberta well as a member of the Court of Queen’s Bench.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Lorena K. Harris was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University in 1991 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 1994. She was called to the Alberta bar in 1995.
Madam Justice Harris articled with Milner Fenerty where she has practiced at Milner Fenerty’s many successors, including Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP and then Dentons Canada LLP for the past 26 years. Her practice focused on complex commercial litigation and professional liability litigation, appearing before all levels of Court in Alberta, British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada as well as many administrative tribunals. She has represented members of various police services within the Province of Alberta, a major Canadian railway, automotive manufacturers, a major Canadian bank and a Canadian engineering firm in multiple trials, appeals, arbitrations, administrative hearings, and judicial reviews.
Throughout her career, Justice Harris enjoyed volunteering, teaching and speaking in a variety of forums, including for the Advocates’ Society and the Law of Policing Conference. She served on the Boards of the Alberta Art Gallery, as well as ACT Alberta, a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of human trafficking within the Province of Alberta.
Justice Harris lives with her husband, Brent Podruzny, and their children and dogs in Edmonton, and also spends time with her family on Vancouver Island, where they enjoy being outside exploring and spending time on the water.
Jul 2, 2021 | International
Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process 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 Honourable Frank Hoskins, a Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia in Dartmouth, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Mr. Justice Hoskins replaces Mr. Justice M.J. Wood (Halifax), who was appointed Chief Justice of Nova Scotia on April 15, 2019. The Chief Justice has transferred Mr. Justice S. Norton (Pictou) into this vacancy. The vacancy is therefore located in Pictou.
Quote
“I wish Justice Hoskins every success as he takes on his new role. I am confident he will serve the people of Nova Scotia well as a member of the Supreme Court.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Frank Hoskins was born and raised in Halifax. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1981, and a Bachelor of Education in 1983 from Saint Mary’s University. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie Law School in 1989. He was admitted to Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society in 1990 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2006.
Mr. Justice Hoskins became a judge of the Provincial and Family Courts of Nova Scotia in 2008. Prior to that, he was Chief Crown Attorney for the Halifax Region and Special Prosecutions. He began prosecuting in 1991 and held positions as Senior Crown Attorney and Senior Crown Counsel. He practiced with Crosby Murtha from 1990 to1991 and with Pink Murray Law Firm from 1995 to 1996. His main area of practice was criminal law.
Justice Hoskins is an Honourary Executive Member of the Canadian Judge’s Forum (Canadian Bar Association) and is past President of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court Judges Association. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Bar Council where he served on numerous Bar Society Committees. He has been an instructor at various legal education programs, including those offered by the National Judicial Institute, Canadian Bar Association, Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie Law School. Justice Hoskins is a Lifetime Faculty Member of the National Criminal Law Program, having served as a faculty member from 2001 to 2018. He is a co-author of The Trial of Sexual Offence Cases, Second Edition.
Jul 2, 2021 | International
Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process 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.
William D. Black, Partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Toronto, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Mr. Justice Black replaces Madam Justice F. McWatt (Toronto), who was appointed Associate Chief Justice on December 18, 2020.
Ian R. Smith, Partner at Fenton, Smith Barristers in Toronto, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Mr. Justice Smith replaces Mr. Justice G.E. Taylor (Kitchener), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective November 22, 2020.
Brian D. Dubé, a sole practitioner in Windsor, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Mr. Justice Dubé replaces Mr. Justice C. Bondy (Windsor), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective February 8, 2021.
Jill R. Presser, a sole practitioner at Presser Barristers in Toronto, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Madam Justice Presser replaces Madam Justice C.J. Brown (Toronto), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective February 3, 2021.
P. Tamara Sugunasiri, Case Management Master at the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Toronto, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Madam Justice Sugunasiri replaces Mr. Justice J.B. McMahon (Toronto), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective February 7, 2021.
Tami L. Waters, Principal at Tami L. Waters and Associates in Oshawa, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Madam Justice Waters replaces Madam Justice A.C. Trousdale (Kingston), who elected to become a supernumerary Judge effective November 22, 2020.
Quote
“I wish Justices Black, Smith, Dubé, Presser, Sugunasiri, and Waters every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Ontario well as members of the Superior Court.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biographies
Justice William D. Black was born and raised in Edmonton. He earned his BA degree from Harvard University in 1983. He attended the University of Toronto Law School, receiving his Bachelor of Law degree in 1987 and was called to the Ontario bar in 1989.
Mr. Justice Black has practiced litigation with McCarthy Tétrault in Toronto since 1989. His practice has involved defending medical malpractice claims and complaints, and a wide array of commercial litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants, in recent years including in particular advising and representing accounting firms. In his 32 years of practice, he has regularly appeared at all levels of court in Ontario. He is recognized as a leading lawyer in various categories by Lexpert, Benchmark and Acritas, and is designated by the Law Society of Ontario as a Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation.
Justice Black taught trial advocacy at the University of Toronto Law School for many years, and has devoted considerable time at McCarthy Tétrault to mentoring younger colleagues, receiving the Robert W. F. Stephenson Legacy Mentor Award in 2014. He is a former trustee of the Toronto Lawyers Association.
Justice Black and his spouse Cindy J. Findlay live in Toronto and are the proud parents of two adult children.
Justice Ian R. Smith was born in Galt, Ontario and educated at Galt Collegiate, Queen’s University and Oxford University. He was called to the Ontario bar in 1991.
Mr. Justice Smith was counsel at the Crown Law Office – Criminal and at the Ontario Securities Commission before entering private practice with Fenton, Smith Barristers in Toronto, where he acted on criminal, regulatory and professional discipline cases. He has litigated at all levels of the Ontario courts and has appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada on more than a dozen occasions. He has taught at the law schools at Queen’s and Western Universities, and in the LL.M. program at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education events. Among other publications, he is the co-author of the second edition of Prosecuting and Defending Fraud Cases (2020).
Since 2003, Justice Smith has been an active member of the Pro Bono Inmate Appeal Program, which provides counsel to unrepresented and indigent appellants in the Court of Appeal for Ontario. He has been on the executive of that program since 2016 and has been its Chair since 2018. He has also been a member of the Chair’s Roundtable at the Law Society Tribunal and was formerly a member of the board of Sketch Working Arts, a community arts centre for homeless and street-involved youth in Toronto.
Justice Brian D. Dubé earned a Bachelor of Public Administration (Honours) from the University of Windsor in 1989 and graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor in 1992. He was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1994.
Mr. Justice Dubé started his career with Donald H. Tait QC and continued as a sole practitioner in close association with colleague and mentor, Andrew J. Bradie, until his recent retirement. For over 27 years, his practice has focused exclusively on criminal defence work. His father, Edward J. Dubé QC, was a founding partner at what is now Mousseau, DeLuca, McPherson, Prince I-LP.
Justice Dubé is past President and has been a member of the Board of Children First since 2008. In this capacity and others, he has been involved in the research, counselling and treatment of those with mental health issues, especially children and adolescents struggling with autism.
Justice Dubé and his wife, Nina, are the proud parents of four teenage children, two sons and two daughters.
Justice Jill R. Presser graduated from McGill University with her LL.B. in 1994 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1997.
Madam Justice Presser is the principal lawyer at Presser Barristers, focussing on appellate criminal defence, mental health, digital privacy, and artificial intelligence law. She regularly appears in courts at all levels, including the Supreme Court of Canada. She was a staff lawyer to the Honourable Stephen Goudge on the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario, and prosecuted for the Attorney General of Ontario (part time, 2001 – 2007). Justice Presser was an adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law (2011-2016). She has published and spoken extensively at legal and judicial education programs on criminal law, mental health law, artificial intelligence and the law, privacy and surveillance, and women in the law. She is co-author of A Guide to Mental Disorder Law in Canadian Criminal Justice (LexisNexis 2020), as well as co-editor and contributing author to Litigating Artificial Intelligence (Emond, May 2021). She has also written numerous articles and book chapters, including “Mom’s Rea: Motherhood, Criminal Defence, and Guilt” in Women in Criminal Justice (Durville Publications, 2018).
Justice Presser is Vice-Chair of the Pro Bono Inmate Appeal Duty Counsel Program in the Court of Appeal for Ontario. She is the founding co-chair of the “Criminal Law and Technology Committee” of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, and a long-standing member of its Litigation and Mental Health Committees.
Justice Presser and her husband are the very proud parents of two accomplished university students.
Justice P. Tamara Sugunasiri was born and raised in Toronto. She earned her BA in Philosophy from the University of Toronto. She then pursued an MA in Philosophy from the University of Windsor before obtaining a law degree there. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2000.
At the time of her appointment, Madam Justice Sugunasiri was a Case Management Master at the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto and Hamilton where she presided over civil and bankruptcy matters. She has spoken extensively at legal conferences and is the co-editor of the Ontario Superior Court Practice. She is a member of the court’s Equity, Diversity and inclusion Committee. In 2020, she founded an Access to Justice Award at Windsor Law to recognize a first-year student who demonstrates a commitment to improving access to justice in Ontario.
Prior to her appointment in 2017 as a Master, Justice Sugunasiri was Senior Counsel at the Department of Justice in Toronto. She practiced in the areas of civil and commercial litigation, administrative and constitutional law and taught civil litigation at Humber College. She also served as Discipline Counsel at the Law Society of Ontario. She has volunteered for various legal and non-legal organizations and has served on several boards including the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario.
Justice Sugunasiri is inspired every day by her wife and kids. She loves to travel, cook, garden, bike and play sports.
Justice Tami L. Waters was born and raised in Oshawa, Ontario. She attended Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y. on an athletic/academic scholarship where she completed both a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and a Master of Science in Education. After a career as an educator, she obtained her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor where she was involved in the Women and the Law program, serving to highlight gender-specific issues in law, Student Government and the University of Windsor Mediation Service. She was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2003.
Madam Justice Waters started her law career in labour, notably as legal counsel for the United Food and Commercial Worker’s Union. She transitioned early in her career to family law and has had her own private practice since 2005, with offices in both Toronto and Oshawa. Throughout her legal practice, she has covered a broad range of family law issues and acted as counsel in contentious parenting, support, and property disputes. She was a panelled Dispute Resolution Officer with the Superior Court of Justice.
In addition to her practice, Justice Waters has been actively involved in her community in many capacities, specifically, serving as a long-standing supporter and Board Member of Denise House women’s shelter.
Justice Waters is an avid golfer and women’s hockey devotee and, with her wife, Patricia, is a proud canine parent to their boxer.
Jul 2, 2021 | International
Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process 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 Honourable Yvan Poulin, a Judge of the Court of Quebec, is appointed a puisne Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal. Mr. Justice Poulin replaces Madam Justice N. Gibeau (Montréal), who resigned effective January 1, 2021.
Daniel Urbas, a sole practitioner in Montréal, is appointed a puisne Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal. Mr. Justice Urbas replaces Madam Justice C. Cohen (Montréal), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective February 1, 2021.
Louis Charette, partner at Lavery de Billy, LLP in Montréal, is appointed a puisne Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal. Mr. Justice Charette replaces Mr. Justice L. Gouin (Montréal), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective February 3, 2021. .
Gabrielle Brochu, Partner at Langlois Lawyers LLP in Montréal, is appointed a puisne Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal. Madam Justice Brochu replaces Mr. Justice M. Girouard (Abitibi, Rouyn-Noranda, Témiscamingue), who elected to resign effective February 25, 2021. The Chief Justice has transferred this vacancy to Montréal. The vacancy is therefore located in Montréal.
Quote
“I wish Justices Poulin, Urbas, Charette, and Brochu every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Québec well as members of the Superior Court.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biographies
Justice Yvan Poulin graduated from the University of Montréal with a bachelor’s degree in law in 1990 and was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1991.
In 2013, Justice Poulin was appointed to the Court of Québec in Montréal where he served on the Criminal and Penal Division. He has been actively involved in training and mentoring his colleagues. He was in charge of criminal law training for judges newly appointed to the Court of Québec. He was a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges. Before being appointed to the Court of Québec, Justice Poulin had worked as a prosecutor at the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for 22 years. He specialized in managing criminal mega-trials and was responsible for prosecuting organized crime cases. He was also a member of the national team of prosecutors responsible for appeal cases and has pleaded at every level of court.
In 2013, in recognition of his unique achievements, Justice Poulin received the Commitment to Justice Award from the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Heads of Prosecution. He has been a university lecturer and has regularly taken part, on a pro bono basis, in training and professional development activities for the legal community and students.
Justice Daniel Urbas is fluently bilingual. He holds degrees in common law and civil law from McGill University and has been an active member of the Barreau du Québec (1992), the Law Society of Ontario (1998) and the Law Society of British Columbia (2004).
Before founding Urbas Arbitral in 2017 to work exclusively as an arbitrator and mediator, Justice Urbas had more than 25 years of experience in dispute resolution. At Borden Ladner Gervais (2005–2017), Woods (2000–2004) and Heenan Blaikie (1992–2000), his practice included IP and IT, energy and natural resources, contract disputes, administrative and public law, product liability, real estate and construction, Indigenous law, and telecommunications and broadcasting. As a partner at BLG in Montréal, Justice Urbas served as Regional Leader, International Trade Litigation and Arbitration (until June 2017), Regional Leader, Commercial Litigation (until September 2013) and National Leader, Intellectual Property Litigation (until September 2013).
Involved in trials and appeals, and applications for injunctions and extraordinary applications, Justice Urbas has appeared at all levels of provincial and federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and before arbitration tribunals and administrative tribunals. He has received numerous annual peer awards. He has written and lectured regularly on dispute resolution. Listed in various directories and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Justice Urbas has provided arbitration training to experienced lawyers and former judges. He is deeply committed to mentoring and has taken on numerous pro bono cases in his professional practice.
Justice Urbas and his spouse, Joanne Brodeur, are the proud parents of three boys.
Justice Louis Charette earned a B.C.L. and an LL.B. from McGill University in 1994, after obtaining a BA from Western University in 1990. He has been a member of the Barreau du Québec since 1995 and a member of the Law Society of Ontario since 1998.
At the time of his appointment, Mr. Justice Charette was a partner at Lavery, practising in the litigation and dispute resolution group. His practice focused on product liability, transportation and aviation, professional liability, and insurance. He has appeared before the Court of Québec, the Superior Court and the Court of Appeal of Quebec, as well as the Federal Court, Trial Division.
Justice Charette is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only association of outstanding trial lawyers in Canada and the United States. He has been actively involved in the legal community, including the Canadian Bar Association, where he was the chair of the Young Lawyers Section and a member of the national executive of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Section. At the Bar of Montreal, he was a member of the LGBTQ2 Committee. He has been a speaker for several associations in Quebec, Canada and the United States.
Involved in the community, Justice Charette has, among other things, volunteered with GRIS-Montréal, an organization that works to demystify homosexuality and bisexuality in schools and among seniors.
Justice Charette lives in Montréal with his spouse, Mario Lalancette.
Justice Gabrielle Brochu studied law at Laval University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with distinction. She has practised as a litigator since being admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 2002.
Justice Brochu’s practice centred on construction law, civil, contractual and professional liability, and bodily harm. At the time of her appointment, she had been a partner at the firm of Langlois Lawyers for ten years, serving on its board of directors and its executive committee.
In addition to her practice, Justice Brochu has been performing volunteer work related to suicide prevention for nearly twenty years, serving as both a crisis hotline counsellor and a member of the board of directors of Suicide Action Montréal. Her exceptional contribution to this cause, along with her professional accomplishments, was recognized by the Barreau du Québec in 2018, when it honoured her with its Mérite du Barreau award.
Training young lawyers is a matter dear to Justice Brochu. Year after year since 2007, she has taught civil evidence at the École du Barreau in addition to acting as a trainer for the Séminaire des techniques de plaidoirie, an annual seminar on trial advocacy held in Sherbrooke since 2016. Through close connections from teaching, she has been able to serve as a strong female role model in the profession, sending the message that it is absolutely possible for women to pursue a career with high standards of performance while still having a rich family life and being involved in their community.
Jul 2, 2021 | International
Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process 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.
Keith D. Kilback, Q.C., Partner at Kanuka Thuringer LLP in Regina, is appointed a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Saskatchewan. Mr. Justice Kilback replaces Mr. Justice D.B. Konkin (Estevan), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective August 31, 2020.
Quote
“I wish Justice Kilback every success as he takes on his new role. I am confident he will serve the people of Saskatchewan well as a member of the Court of Queen’s Bench.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Keith D. Kilback, Q.C., attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning a B.A. in 1990 and a J.D. in 1994. He was called to the Saskatchewan bar in 1995 and to the British Columbia bar in 1997, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2018.
At the time of his appointment, Mr. Justice Kilback was a partner with Kanuka Thuringer LLP in Regina, practicing in the areas of civil litigation, administrative law, and transportation law. In 2008, he was appointed as an inquest coroner, and has presided over inquest hearings in Saskatchewan. He is a former director of the Canadian Transport Lawyers Association, and was recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert as a leading practitioner in the area of transportation law.
Justice Kilback has published articles on a number of legal subjects in various law journals, and has appeared as counsel before all levels of court in Saskatchewan, the British Columbia Supreme Court, the Federal Court of Canada, the Tax Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada.
