Department of Justice

OTTAWA, April 3, 1998 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Madam Justice Margaret Larlee of Fredericton is appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick. She replaces Mr. Justice J.E.M. Bastarache, who was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Madam Justice Larlee graduated in law from the University of New Brunswick in 1974, and was admitted to the Bar of New Brunswick that same year. From 1974 to 1976, Madam Justice Larlee was a solicitor for the Department of Justice, Law Reform Division, and from 1976 to 1979 she was in private practice. In 1977, she was appointed Acting Judge of Probate, and in 1979 she became Clerk of the Court of Queen's Bench, Judicial District of Campbellton. From 1979 to 1984, she served as both Judge and Registrar of Probate for the County of Restigouche. Madam Justice Larlee served as Administrator of the Family Division of the Court of Queen's Bench from 1983 to 1985, when she was appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench, Family Division, in Campbellton. In 1995, Madam Justice Larlee was appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench in Fredericton.

Madam Justice Larlee is bilingual.

George Saunders Rideout of Moncton is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Family Division) in Moncton. He replaces Mr. Justice David Duncan Smith, who was appointed Chief Justice of the Court.

Mr. Justice Rideout graduated in law from the University of New Brunswick, and was admitted to the Bar of New Brunswick in 1971. Mr. Justice Rideout practised law first with the firm of Stewart & Stratton and then with the firm of Rideout and Robinson in Moncton. Since 1996, he has been practising law with the firm of Bingham, Rideout, Brison and Blair, where he had practised from 1987 to 1993. Mr. Justice Rideout has practised mainly corporate and commercial law, family law and insurance law.

From 1983 to 1988, Mr. Justice Rideout was Mayor of the City of Moncton, and from 1988 to 1997, he was Member of Parliament for Moncton.

Paulette Garnett, Q.C., of Saint John is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick in Fredericton. She replaces Madam Justice Margaret Larlee, who was appointed to the Court of Appeal.

Madam Justice Garnett graduated in law from the University of New Brunswick, and was admitted to the Bar of New Brunswick in 1977. She first practised law with the firm of Clark, Drummie and Company. From 1981 to 1987, she practised law with the firm of Barry & O'Neil & Company, and she has since been practising with the firm of Gilbert, McGloan & Gillis. Madam Justice Garnett has practised mainly civil litigation.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Ref.: Johanne Senécal

Minister's Office

(613) 992-4621