QUEBEC JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

Ottawa, February 25, 2005 – Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Paul Vézina, of Quebec, is appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal of Quebec. He replaces Madam Justice T. Rousseau-Houle who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Vézina graduated in law from the Laval University in 1965, and was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1966. He is a Justice of the Superior Court of Quebec since 1994. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was a partner with the firm Vézina, Pouliot and Associates and practiced primarily in bankruptcy law, insolvability, environmental law and agricultural law. He is also a former Bâtonnier of the province of Quebec .

Lorne Giroux, of Quebec, is appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal of Quebec. He replaces Mr. Justice R. Dussault who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Giroux graduated in law from Laval University in 1968, received a Masters of law from Harvard in 1970, and a Doctorate of laws from Laval University in 1976. He was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1969.

At the time of his appointment, he was a professor of Law at Laval University, teaching primarily in environmental law, land planning, civil law, municipal law and administrative law. In the past, he has also taught at the Faculties of law of the University of Calgary , the University of Ottawa and Sherbrooke University. In addition, he was a partner with Lavery, de Billy since 2000, and prior to that, a partner with Grondin, Poudrier, Bernier. He has appeared before all levels of the courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mr. Justice Giroux was a member of the comité permanent du Barreau du Québec sur le droit de l’aménagement since 1992. He was also special legal advisor to the Secretariat of the North American Commission for Environmental Protection. He has taught at the Bar Admission Course and is the author of various legal publications.

Chantal Corriveau, of Montreal, is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, district of Montreal. She replaces Mr. Justice F. Martin, who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Corriveau graduated in law from the Université de Montréal in 1982, and received a Masters of law from Sherbrooke University in 1985. She was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1983. At the time of her appointment, she was a partner with the firm Kugler Kandestin where she practised primarily in the areas of civil and commercial litigation, with specialization in professional responsibility.

She has been a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice and member of the Board of Directors of the Law for Future Fund. She is a former President of the Quebec branch of the Canadian Bar Association and has taught at the Université de Montréal.

Sophie Bourque, of Montreal, is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, district of Montreal. She replaces Mr. Justice P. Tessier who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Bourque obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Montreal in 1983, and was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1984.

At the time of her appointment, she was a partner with the firm Hébert, Bourque and Downs in Montreal and practised primarily in the areas of criminal, penal constitutional and disciplinary law.

Madam Justice Bourque has been very active within the Canadian Bar Association, has been a member of many committees of the Barreau du Québec and was Chair of the Comité sur les femmes dans la profession du Barreau du Québec. As well, she has been a member of the Association des avocats de la défense de Montréal, the International Association of Lawyers and the American Bar Association. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. She has taught at the Bar admission school since 1996 and is a frequent lecturer.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Michel Caron, of Montreal, is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, district of Montreal. He will replace Mr. Justice I.S. Mass who will become a supernumerary judge on March 14, 2005 .

Mr. Justice Caron graduate in law from Sherbrooke University in 1972, and was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1974.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Justice Caron was a partner with the firm Lavery, de Billy and practised in the areas of civil and commercial litigation, as well as acting as a mediator.

Mr. Justice Caron has been very active within the Canadian Bar Association; he was President of the Quebec Division, Vice-president and Treasurer of the Financial Services Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association.

He has also been a member of various committees of the Barreau de Montreal and the Barreau du Québec, including those regarding discipline and professional inspection.

This appointment is effective March 14, 2005 .

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Ref.:

Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621