Department of Justice

, August 28, 1997 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Madam Justice Louise Otis, of Quebec City, is appointed a judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal in Montreal. She replaces Mr. Justice C.R. Vallerand, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Otis received a Licentiate in Law from Laval University in 1973, and was called to the Quebec Bar in 1975. She has sat on the Quebec Court of Appeal in Quebec City since June 11, 1993. She was appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec in March 1990 when she was a partner in the Quebec City firm of Trudeau, Nadeau, Lesage, Cleary.

The Honourable Mr. Justice Robert Pidgeon, of Rimouski, is appointed a judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal in Quebec City. He replaces Madam Justice Otis, who has been appointed to the Court of Appeal in Montreal.

Mr. Justice Pidgeon received a Licentiate in Laws from Laval University, and was called to the Quebec Bar in 1970. Before being appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec in 1989, he practised law in the firm of Pidgeon et Joncas in the districts of Gaspé, Bonaventure and Rimouski.

These appointments are effective September 1, 1997.

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