FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, October 11, 2002 - The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment:

Judith A· Snider. of Calgary, is appointed a judge of the Federal Court of Canada - Trial Division.  She replaces Mr. Justice D. Pelletier who was appointed to the Court of Appeal.

Madam Justice Snider received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Calgary in 1981, and was admitted to the Law Society of Alberta in 1982.  For several years prior to becoming General Counsel for the National Energy Board in 1992, Madam Justice Snider practiced with the firm of Code Hunter in Calgary.  In 1995, she was appointed a member of the National Energy Board where, at the time of her appointment to the Federal Court-Trial Division, she was serving as Vice-Chairman.  Madam Justice Snider has extensive experience in energy and administrative law.

Madam Justice Snider is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Petroleum Law Foundation and a former Vice-Chairman of the Canadian Institute of Resources Law.  Throughout her career, she has been a frequent presenter for legal and professional associations in her areas of expertise.

This appointment is effective immediately.

- 30 -

Ref.: Irène Arseneau

613) 992-4621