Beverley McLachlin

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, PC , LL.D , LL.B. , MA , BA (born September 7, 1943) is the Chief Justice of Canada, the first woman to hold that position.

Related Topics:
The Right Honourable - PC - LL.D - LL.B. - MA - BA - September 7 - 1943 - Chief Justice - Canada

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Born in Pincher Creek, Alberta, she received a BA and a MA in philosophy and an LL.B from the University of Alberta. She was called to the Bar of Alberta in 1969 and to the Bar of British Columbia in 1971. She practiced law from 1969 until 1975. From 1974 until 1981 she was an Associate Professor and Professor with tenure at the University of British Columbia.

Related Topics:
Pincher Creek, Alberta - BA - MA - Philosophy - LL.B - University of Alberta - 1969 - 1971 - 1975 - 1974 - 1981 - University of British Columbia

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In 1981 she was appointed to the County Court of Vancouver and then to the Supreme Court of British Columbia. In 1985 she was appointed to Court of Appeal of British Columbia and in 1988 was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on March 30, 1989 and was made Chief Justice of Canada on January 7, 2000.

Related Topics:
Vancouver - British Columbia - 1985 - 1988 - March 30 - 1989 - January 7 - 2000

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When Governor General Adrienne Clarkson was hospitalized for a cardiac pacemaker operation on 8 July 2005, Mme Justice McLachlin served as the Queen's Administrator and performing the duties of the Governor General, including giving royal assent to the Civil Marriage Act, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage in Canada. She relinquished that task when the Governor-General returned to good health in late July.

Related Topics:
Governor General - Adrienne Clarkson - Cardiac pacemaker - 8 July - 2005 - Royal assent - Civil Marriage Act - Same-sex marriage in Canada

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She is the Chairperson of the Canadian Judicial Council, Advisory Council of the Order of Canada, and Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute. She is a Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada.

Related Topics:
Order of Canada - Queen's Privy Council for Canada

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She has been awarded over 21 Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees.

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She has one son by her first marriage to Roderick McLachlin, who died in 1988. She remarried in 1992 to Frank McArdle.

Related Topics:
Marriage - 1988 - 1992 - Frank McArdle

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