QUEBEC JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, November 29, 1995 -- The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Mr. Allan Rock, today announced the following appointments:

Jocelyn Verrier of Sorel is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montreal. He replaces Mr. Justice B. Flynn, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Verrier received a law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1967, and was called to the Quebec bar in 1968. He has operated a general practice both as an independent practitioner in Sorel since 1969 and with the firm of Verrier et Malouin in Nicolet. He acted as an agent of the Attorney General of Quebec from 1970 to 1976 in the judicial districts of Trois-Rivières and Nicolet, and as an agent of the Attorney General of Canada from 1970 to 1984. Mr. Justice Verrier was Bâtonnier of the Richelieu Section of the Barreau du Québec from 1994 to 1995.

Gilles Blanchet of Rimouski is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Quebec. He replaces Mr. Justice H. LaRue, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Blanchet received a law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1972, and was called to the Quebec bar in 1974. Since then, he has operated a general practice focussing on insurance law, civil and professional liability, and expropriation and real estate assessment with the firm now known as Casgrain, Blanchet et Associés. Mr. Justice Blanchet was Bâtonnier of the Bas St-Laurent/Gaspésie Section of the Barreau du Quebec from 1982 to 1984.

Jacques Babin of Chicoutimi is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Chicoutimi. He replaces Mr. Justice P. Bergeron, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Babin received a law degree from Laval University in 1977, and was called to the Quebec bar in 1978. He then joined the firm of Bouchard, Larouche & Brassard. Since 1985, he has been a partner in the firm of Cain, Lamarre, Wells. Mr. Justice Babin has specialized in administrative and labour law. He has been Bâtonnier of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Section of the Barreau du Québec.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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