Department of Justice

JUSTICE MICHEL BASTARACHE APPOINTED TO THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

OTTAWA, October 1, 1997 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Mr. Justice J.E. Michel Bastarache, of Fredericton, a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick, to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mr. Justice Bastarache obtained a civil law licence from the Université de Montréal in 1970; a diplôme d'études supérieures in public law from the Université de Nice in 1972; and a common law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1978. He was called to the Bars of New Brunswick, Alberta and Ontario in 1980, 1985 and 1986 respectively.

Beginning in 1978, Mr. Justice Bastarache taught law at the University of Moncton and in 1981, became Dean of Law. In 1983, he was Director General of the Official Languages, Department of Secretary of State, in Ottawa. From 1984 to 1987, he was as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law (Common Law Section) at the University of Ottawa.

From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Justice Bastarache practised law with the firm of Lang, Michener, Lash, Johnston, in Ottawa. From 1989 to 1994, he acted as President and Director General of l'Assomption-Vie in Moncton. Before his appointment to the Court of Appeal in New Brunswick in March 1995, Mr. Justice Bastarache was practising law with the firm of Stewart, McKelvey, Stirling, Scales, in Moncton. He has mainly practised in the areas of constitutional law and administrative law, with emphasis in education law.

Mr. Justice Bastarache has authored two books (Language Rights in Canada and Précis du droit des biens réels), many chapters in collective works such as The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, numerous articles in professional reviews and research documents sponsored by various governments and associations.

Mr. Justice Bastarache was chosen outstanding lawyer of the year in 1993 by the Association des juristes d'expression française du Nouveau-Brunswick. He was also awarded the 125th Anniversary Medal of Canada and was made a member of l'Ordre des francophones d'Amérique by the Québec government in 1981.

This appointment is effective immediately.

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