NEW FEDERAL JUDICIAL BUILDING NAMED
AFTER PIERRE ELLIOTT TRUDEAU

OTTAWA, December 2, 2003 - Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that the planned federal judicial building in Ottawa will be named the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Judicial Building. During a special ceremony held at the Supreme Court of Canada, the approved building design was unveiled by the Prime Minister, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon and Justin Trudeau, the eldest son of the former Prime Minister.

"It is fitting that this judicial building be named in honour of one of Canada's most illustrious Prime Ministers," said the Prime Minister. "The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Judicial Building will forever be a reminder of the contributions of one extraordinary Canadian to the evolution of our judicial system and the emergence of a bilingual and multicultural nation."

"Pierre Elliott Trudeau devoted his life to the principles of justice and equality for all Canadians," said Minister Cauchon. "It is only fitting that this building will bear his name."

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Judicial Building will house the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada, the Tax Court of Canada and the Courts Administration Service, which are currently located in several buildings in the National Capital Region.

Prime Minister for 16 years, former Minister of Justice, Member of Parliament, law professor, lawyer and author, Pierre Trudeau left an indelible stamp on the justice system in Canada by patriating the Canadian Constitution and by establishing the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He was a committed defender of multiculturalism and the rights of minorities and he was respected at home and abroad for his initiatives to foster dialogue between the first and third worlds.

The building, which will be constructed on the northeast corner of Wellington and Lyon streets, will be situated next to the Supreme Court of Canada Building on Wellington Street in downtown Ottawa. The design of the future federal judicial building reflects the Gothic revival architectural style of the other buildings on Parliament Hill.

Site preparation is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2004.

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Backgrounders: Pierre Elliott Trudeau Judicial Building and The Consultant Team