QUEBEC JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, October 1, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Michel Girouard, a partner with Girouard, Adam et Associés (Val-D’Or) is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec of the judicial district of Rouyn-Noranda to replace Mr. Justice L. Guertin, who elected to become a supernumerary judge as of September 10, 2010.

Mr. Justice Girouard received a Bachelor of Civil Law (LL.L.) from the Université de Sherbrooke. He was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1985.

Mr. Justice Girouard was a partner with Girouard, Adam et Associates in Val-D’Or (1999-2010), Girouard Bédard & Associés (1993-1998), Girouard & Associés (1989-1993) and St. Julien, Tessier & Associés (1985-1989). His main areas of practice were business, banking and insurance law and family law.

Mr. Justice Girouard was a bencher with the Bar of Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2008-2009).  He was a legal advisor for industrial relations with the Corporation professionnelle des relations industrielles du Québec. He has been active in various charitable and community organizations.

The Honourable Johanne St-Gelais, a lawyer with DLT Avocats, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec in Montréal to replace Mr. Justice Y. Tardif, who was transferred to Sherbrooke on June 18, 2010.

Madam Justice St-Gelais received a Bachelor of Civil Laws (LL.L.) from the Université de Montréal. She was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1986.

Madam Justice St-Gelais has been a lawyer with DLT Avocats since 2009 and prior to that had practised with a small law firm for 23 years. Her main areas of practice were criminal law as well as civil and immigration litigation.

Madam Justice St-Gelais has been a frequent lecturer and guest speaker at numerous conferences. She has been an administrator for the Centre communautaire Laurent Venne since 2008. She has appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

These appointments are effective immediately.

-30-

Ref.:

• Pamela Stephens
  Press Secretary
  Office of the Minister of Justice
  613-992-4621

• Media Relations
  Department of Justice
  613-957-4207