QUEBEC JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, February 27, 2002 -- The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable André Rochon of the Superior Court of Quebec is appointed a judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal. He replaces Mr. Justice André Brossard who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Rochon received his licence en droit from the University of Ottawa in 1972, and was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1974. He was appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec in Montreal, in 1994.

Jean-François Buffoni of Montreal is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec in Montreal. He replaces Mr. Justice Claude Tellier who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Buffoni received his licence en droit from the University of Montreal in 1972, and was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1974. He began practice in Montreal where at the time of his appointment, he was a senior partner and head of the intellectual property litigation group with the firm of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. Throughout his career, he has frequently appeared before the Superior Court of Quebec, the Quebec Court of Appeal and the Federal Court of Canada. Mr. Justice Buffoni also has extensive experience as a negotiator and arbitrator.

A member of the Canadian Bar Association since 1974, Mr. Justice Buffoni has served as a member of the Executive of the Quebec Branch of that organisation as well as numerous other special committees. He has also been a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada.

Lise Matteau of Trois-Rivières is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec in Montreal. She replaces Mr. Justice André Rochon who was appointed to the Quebec Court of Appeal.

Madam Justice Matteau received a Bachelor of Laws from Laval University in 1978, and was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1979. She began practice with the firm of Pinsonneault Roy Lambert and Associates in Cap-de-la-Madeleine where she practiced family and general civil law. In 1986, Madame Justice Matteau joined the Commission de la santé et la sécurité du travail, in Trois-Rivières. Since that time, her practice has been primarily in administrative, criminal and general civil law as well as commercial law and bankruptcy matters. She has appeared before all levels of the courts in Quebec as well as numerous administrative tribunals.

Madame Justice Matteau has served as an administrator and as a Bencher of the Bar of the Mauricie Region. She has also developed course curriculum and materials for the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières in business law, health and work safety legislation and other areas touching on her areas of expertise.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Suzanne Thébarge
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621