Department of Justice

ALBERTA JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

, February 21, 1996 -- The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Allan Rock, today announced the following appointments:

Melvyn A. Binder, Q.C., of Edmonton is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta in Edmonton. He replaces Mr. Justice A. Andrekson, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Binder graduated in law from the University of Western Ontario in 1964, and was called to the Bar of Alberta in 1966. He then practised law with the firm Sortreed, Shoctor. In 1981, he joined the firm Witten Binder, where he has mainly practised corporate and commercial law. Mr. Justice Binder was appointed to the Edmonton Police Commission from 1986 to 1992 and to the Edmonton Power Authority, Board of Directors since 1993. He was Alderman of the Edmonton City Council from 1986 to 19 92.

Cecilia I. Johnstone, Q.C., of Edmonton is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of Albert in Edmonton. She replaces Mr. Justice D.C. McDonald, who was appointed to the Court of Appeal.

Madam Justice Johnstone graduated in law from the University of Alberta in 1974, and was called to the Bar of Alberta in 1975. Madam Justice Johnstone has been a partner with Lucas Bowker & White since 1978, and has practised primarily in the area of wills and estate administration and litigation, commercial and corporate law.

Madam Justice Johnstone has lectured extensively at the Bar Admission Course and the Legal Education Society of Alberta in the areas of wills and estates. In January 1995, she received the Distinguished Service Award for the Profession, presented jointly by the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch). Madam Justice Johnstone was President of the Canadian Bar Association in 1993-1994.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Ref.:      Johanne Senécal
           Minister's Office
          (613) 992-4621