SPECIFIC CLAIMS TRIBUNAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, November 26, 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 reappointment of Mr. Justice Harry Slade of the Supreme Court of British Columbia as Chairperson of the Specific Claims Tribunal. Mr. Justice Patrick Smith of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario and Madam Justice Johanne Mainville of the Superior Court of Quebec were also reappointed as full-time members of the Tribunal.  These three judges were first appointed to the Specific Claims Tribunal on November 27, 2009. 

In addition, Minister Nicholson announced today the appointment of Mr. Justice W. Larry Whalen of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, Madam Justice Barbara L. Fisher and Mr. Justice Paul Pearlman, both of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, to the roster of superior court judges who may be appointed to the Tribunal at a later date.

The Government of Canada has taken historic steps to improve and expedite the resolution of specific claims to provide justice to First Nation claimants and certainty for all Canadians. This includes practical measures to ensure faster processing of claims by the government. Canada’s Specific Claims Action Plan is delivering concrete results. Since 2007, 300 specific claims have successfully been addressed.

The creation of the Specific Claims Tribunal is part of this revitalized approach. It is an independent body with the power to make binding decisions to resolve specific claims. Negotiations continue to be Canada’s first choice for resolving First Nation specific claims. The Tribunal process is an alternative to the courts for First Nations when other options fail.

Canada and the Assembly of First Nations jointly developed the Specific Claims Tribunal Act which established the Tribunal. This legislation came into force on October 16, 2008.

For more information about the progress of the Specific Claims Tribunal, please visit www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/al/ldc/spc/plc/index-eng.asp.

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Ref.:

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

• Media Relations
  Department of Justice
  613-957-4207

• Michele Jamali-Paquette
  Press Secretary
  Office of the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
  (819) 997-0002

• Media Relations
  Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
  (819) 953-1160