Department of Justice

SASKATCHEWAN JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, July 28, 2000 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

Duane Koch of Regina is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench, in Saskatoon. He replaces Mr. Justice C.R. Wimmer who has become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Koch received his LL.B. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1960 and was called to the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1961. At the time of his appointment, he was a partner in general practice with the Regina firm of Kanuka Thuringer. Mr. Justice Koch has been a member of the Canadian Bar Association serving on various committees in that organization. He is a former President of the Regina Bar Association having also held the office of Vice-President, Treasurer and Director. Throughout his career, Mr. Justice Koch has conducted numerous Public Legal Education lectures and seminars. He has been an active volunteer in various community organizations, including Chairman of the Saskatchewan Youth Parliament Board.

Jacelyn Ann Ryan-Froslie of Swift Current is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench, in Saskatoon. She will occupy a newly created position on the Court.

Madam Justice Ryan received her LL.B. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1977 and was called to the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1978. At the time of her appointment, she was a partner with the firm of Anderson & Company of Swift Current, practising primarily in the field of family law. From 1987-1993, Madam Justice Ryan served as Vice-Chair of the Saskatchewan Police Commission. She is a former local governor of the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers’ Association, as well as a member of the Canadian Bar Association. Madam Justice Ryan is a former Director of the Swift Current Health District and, at the time of her appointment, was serving as a Director of the International Scholarship Foundation.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Peter Foley, Q.C. of Saskatoon is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatoon. He replaces the Honourable W. Frank Gerein, who has been appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench effective August 12, 2000.

Mr. Justice Foley received his LL.B. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1969 and was called to the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1970. After articling with Mr. D.E. Gauley, Q.C., of Gauley & Co., Mr. Justice Foley remained with that firm where he was a partner at the time of his appointment. Mr. Justice Foley practised primarily in civil litigation with extensive experience in medical malpractice and manufacturer’s liability cases. A former sessional lecturer at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, Mr. Justice Foley has also been a frequent Bar Admission Course instructor for the Law Society of Saskatchewan. From 1979 to 1985, Mr. Justice Foley served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Saskatchewan. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the American Trial Lawyers' Association. Since 1989, Mr. Justice Foley has been a member of the Federal Court of Canada Rules Committee. In 1994, he received the Law Society of Saskatchewan's "Exemplary Service Award" in recognition of his contribution to the legal profession.

This appointment is effective August 12, 2000.

- 30 -

Ref.:

Farah Mohamed
Minister’s Office
(613) 992-4621