Creation and Beginnings of the Court
Current and Former Chief Justices
Current and Former Puisne Judges
About the Court
Judges of the Court
The Right Honourable Sir Charles Fitzpatrick, P.C., G.C.M.G.
![[Photo - Sir Charles Fitzpatrick]](/web/20061029064112im_/http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/_images/display/pi_30.jpg)
Charles Fitzpatrick was born in Quebec City, Canada East (Quebec), on December
19, 1853. He was the son of John Fitzpatrick and Mary Connolly. He studied
at Laval University, obtaining a B.A. in 1873 and an LL.B. three years later.
Called to the bar of Quebec in 1876, he established his practice in Quebec
City and later founded the law firm of Fitzpatrick & Taschereau. In 1885
he acted as chief counsel for Métis leader Louis Riel at his trial,
and in 1892 he represented Quebec premier Honoré Mercier after the fall
of his administration. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Quebec
in 1890 and to the House of Commons in 1896, the year he was called to the
bar of Ontario. He served for six years as Solicitor General of Canada until
1902, when he became Minister of Justice and Attorney General. On June 4, 1906,
he was appointed Chief Justice of Canada. He served on the Supreme Court of
Canada for 12 years, resigning on October 21, 1918 to accept the position of
Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec. Chief Justice Fitzpatrick died on June 17, 1942,
at the age of 88.
