Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada is Canada's highest court and is located in the capital city of Ottawa. It is now the final court of appeal, the last judicial resort for all litigants, whether individual or governmental. Its jurisdiction embraces both the civil law of the province of Quebec and the common law of the other provinces and territories. When handling Quebec civil law cases the court is careful to have them reviewed by the three civil law judges that are always on the court.

The nine current justices

• The Right Honourable Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin, P.C., B.A., M.A., LL.B. - Chief Justice of Canada -- appointed 1989 to the court by Brian Mulroney, appointed chief justice on January 7, 2000 by Jean Chrétien
• The Honourable Mr. Justice John C. Major -- appointed 1992 by Brian Mulroney
• The Honourable Mr. Justice Michel Bastarache -- appointed 1995 by Jean Chrétien
• The Honourable Mr. Justice William Ian Corneil Binnie -- appointed 1998 by Jean Chrétien
• The Honourable Mr. Justice Louis LeBel -- appointed 2000 by Jean Chrétien
• The Honourable Madam Justice Marie Deschamps -- appointed 2002 by Jean Chrétien
• The Honourable Mr. Justice Morris Fish -- appointed 2003 by Jean Chrétien
• The Honourable Madam Justice Rosalie Abella -- appointed 2004 by Paul Martin
• The Honourable Madam Justice Louise Charron -- appointed 2004 by Paul Martin

On August 24, 2004, Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler nominated Charron and Abella to replace Frank Iacobucci who retired in the spring of 2004 and Louise Arbour who stepped down in early 2004 to accept an appointment as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Cotler also announced a new process which will allow a parliamentary committee to review Supreme Court nominations, although the committee would not have veto power over the nominations.

Related Topics:
August 24 - 2004 - Minister of Justice - Irwin Cotler - Frank Iacobucci - Louise Arbour - UN - High Commissioner for Human Rights

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On August 30, after a week of committee hearings, Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin officially recommended Abella and Charron for appointment to the Court. Two Conservative members of the committee, Peter MacKay and Vic Toews, refused to sign the committee's endorsement of the nominees, stating that the new process did not provide the committee with sufficient information about the nominees.

Related Topics:
August 30 - Prime Minister of Canada - Paul Martin - Conservative - Peter MacKay - Vic Toews

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With the new appointments, four out of the nine justices are women (McLachlin, Deschamps, Abella & Charron), making the Supreme Court of Canada the world's most gender-balanced national high court.

Related Topics:
McLachlin - Deschamps - Abella - Charron - Supreme Court of Canada

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