MADAM JUSTICE MARIE DESCHAMPS APPOINTED
TO THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

OTTAWA, August 8, 2002 - The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada today announced the appointment of the Honourable Marie Deschamps, a judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Madam Justice Deschamps received a licence en droit from the University of Montreal in 1974 and was admitted to the Bar of Quebec the following year. In 1983, she obtained a Master's Degree in Law from McGill University.

Prior to her appointment to the Quebec Superior Court in 1990, she was in practice with the Montreal firm of Byers, Casgrain specializing in litigation in civil, commercial, and administrative law.

During her time in practice, Madam Justice Deschamps served as a member of the Advisory Council on the Competition Tribunal and in 1986, was a member of the Advisory Committee for the reform of the Bankruptcy Act. Madam Justice Deschamps was appointed to the Quebec Court of Appeal in 1992.

This appointment is effective immediately.

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Ref.: Suzanne Thébarge
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621