ONTARIO JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, November 6, 2003 - The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Robert A. Blair of Toronto is appointed a judge of the Ontario Court of Appeal. He replaces Mr. Justice D.R. O'Connor who was appointed Associate Chief Justice.

Mr. Justice Blair received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto in 1968, and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1970. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1982.

He was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division), now known as the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, in 1991 and then appointed Regional Senior Justice for the Toronto region in 1999.

Prior to his appointment to the Bench, Mr. Justice Blair was a partner with Stockwood, Blair, Spies and Ashby. He is an active member of the Advocates Society and has co-chaired the Civil Justice Review.

This appointment is effective immediately.

The Honourable Lynne C. Leitch of London is appointed Regional Senior Justice for the Southwest region. She replaces the Honourable D.R. McDermid who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Leitch received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario in 1978 and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1980.

She was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division), now known as the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, in 1992. Prior to her appointment to the Bench, she was a partner in the London firm of Harrison, Elwood.

Madam Justice Leitch is active in public legal education, particularly with the National Judicial Institute.

This appointment is effective immediately.

The Honourable John S. Poupore of Sudbury is appointed Regional Senior Justice for the Northeast region. He replaces Mr. Justice I.M. Gordon.

Mr. Justice Poupore received a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1969, and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1971.

He was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division), now known as the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, in 1995. Prior to his appointment to the Bench, he was a partner with Wilkins, Wilkins & Di Salle, and then a sole practitioner in Sudbury.

This appointment will come into effect at a later date.

Richard C. Gates, Q.C. of Windsor is appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He will be assigned to Windsor by the Chief Justice and replaces Mr. Justice R. Daudlin who resigned.

Mr. Justice Gates received a Bachelor of Laws from Queen's University in 1966 and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1968. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1980.

Prior to his appointment, he was a civil litigator and a partner with Bartlet & Richardes Law Firm in Windsor. He is a member of the Essex Law Association, the Advocates Society, the Defence Research Institute, the Canadian Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the County and District Law Presidents Association and the Southwest Regional Committee on Court Reform Association.

This appointment is effective immediately.

Alan W. Bryant of London is appointed a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He will be assigned to Newmarket by the Chief Justice and will replace Madam Justice Lynne Leitch who was appointed Regional Senior Justice for the Southwest region.

Mr. Justice Bryant received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto in 1968 and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1970.

At the time of his appointment, he was a counsel with McCarthy Tétrault LLP, as well as a professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Justice Bryant has been Director of the London Legal Clinic, part-time Assistant Crown Attorney, Referee under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, and Chair of the Environmental Appeal Board. He has also chaired hearings under the human rights legislation. He has been an instructor at the Bar Admission Course and is a frequently cited legal author, lecturer and panellist.

This appointment is effective immediately.

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Ref.:

Catherine Gagnaire
Press Secretary
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621