OTTAWA, October 22, 2004 – Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

Carl H. Lachance of Chicoutimi is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Quebec. He replaces Mr. Justice J. Claude Larouche who has elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Lachance graduated in law from l'Université Laval in 1972, and was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1974.

At the time of his appointment, he was a partner with the firm of Cain Lamarre Casgrain Wells in Chicoutimi, where he practised primarily in the areas of civil litigation, insurance law, as well as personal and professional liability.

Claude Bouchard of Québec is appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Quebec. He replaces Madam Justice Julie Dutil who was appointed to the Court of Appeal of Quebec.

Mr. Justice Bouchard graduated in law from the l'Université Laval in 1973, and was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1975.

In the past, he has practised law with the Department of Justice of Quebec, and most recently held the position of Director of civil litigation. He has appeared before all levels of the courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. During his career he has provided advocacy training at the Séminaire de techniques de plaidoirie de Sherbrooke, as well as to counsel at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. He has been an active member of the Barreau du Québec, sitting on many of its committees including those dealing with professional training and the reform of the Code de procédure civile. He has been vice-president of the Canadian Bar Association – Quebec Division.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Ref.:

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