Department of Justice

FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT

OTTAWA, October 5, 2000 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment:

Edmond P. Blanchard, Q.C, of Campbellton is appointed a judge of the Federal Court of Canada, Trial Division. He replaces Mr. Justice W. A. MacKay, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Blanchard received his LL.B. from Dalhousie University in 1978, and was admitted to the Bar of New Brunswick in 1979. He began practice with the Campbellton firm of Tingley & Humphrey, and became a partner with Humphrey & Blanchard in 1982. During his years in general practice, Mr. Justice Blanchard was primarily involved in civil litigation, property law, criminal prosecutions and criminal defence. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1992. Mr. Justice Blanchard was a member of the New Brunswick Barristers' Association and the Canadian Bar Association.

In 1987, he was elected to the New Brunswick legislature as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Campbellton. During his time as a member of the Government of New Brunswick, Mr. Justice Blanchard held various portfolios, including Minister of Finance, Minister of Intergovermental Affairs and Minister of Justice. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of Management.

This appointment is effective immediately.

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Ref.:

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