Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of New Brunswick
News release
May 8, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
Sylvie I. Michaud, K.C., Counsel at Manulife, is appointed a Judge of the Court of King’s Bench of New Brunswick, Family Division. The Chief Justice transferred Justice C. Bourque, a current sitting Judge of the Family Division, to the Trial Division. Justice Bourque replaces Justice D. Leblanc (Moncton), who was elevated to the Court of Appeal on June 2, 2022. Justice Michaud replaces Justice C. Bourque who was transferred to the Trial Division effective May 4, 2023.
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“I wish Justice Michaud every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve the public of New Brunswick well as a member of the Court of King’s Bench.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Sylvie I. Michaud, K.C., grew up in southeastern New Brunswick. She earned a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Ottawa (Criminology) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Moncton, and was later called to the Law Society of New Brunswick in 1998 and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2022. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2019.
During her 24 years as a lawyer, Justice Michaud practised in both official languages in the fields of civil litigation and administrative law. She has appeared as counsel before all levels of the New Brunswick courts and before various administrative tribunals, in addition to acting as an arbitrator under New Brunswick’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Justice Michaud’s involvement with the Law Society of New Brunswick has included volunteer work, and she has acted for many years as a guest instructor for the Bar Admission Program and as a member of the Discipline Committee. She has also served as a member of several boards of directors focused on economic and environmental development in her home region of Greater Moncton.
Justice Michaud and her family live in Dieppe, New Brunswick.
Quick facts
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At the Superior Court level, more than 605 judges have been appointed since November 2015. These exceptional jurists represent the diversity that strengthens Canada. Of these judges, more than half are women, and appointments reflect an increased representation of visible minorities, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, and those who self-identify as having a disability.
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To support the needs of the courts and improve access to justice for all Canadians, the Government of Canada is committed to increasing the capacity of superior courts. Budget 2022 provides for 22 new judicial positions, along with two associate judges at the Tax Court of Canada. Along with the 13 positions created under Budget 2021, this makes a total of 37 newly created superior court positions. Since Budget 2017, the government has funded 116 new judicial positions.
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Changes to the Questionnaire for Federal Judicial Appointments were announced in September 2022. The questionnaire continues to provide for a robust and thorough assessment of candidates but has been streamlined and updated to incorporate, among other things, more respectful and inclusive language for individuals to self-identify diversity characteristics.
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Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
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The Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada play a key role in evaluating judicial applications. There are 17 Judicial Advisory Committees, with each province and territory represented.
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Significant reforms to the role and structure of the Judicial Advisory Committees, aimed at enhancing the independence and transparency of the process, were announced on October 20, 2016.
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The Government of Canada is committed to promoting a justice system in which sexual assault matters are decided fairly, without the influence of myths and stereotypes, and in which survivors are treated with dignity and compassion. Changes to the Judges Act and Criminal Code that came into force on May 6, 2021, mean that in order to be eligible for appointment to a provincial superior court, candidates must agree to participate in continuing education on matters related to sexual assault law and social context, which includes systemic racism and systemic discrimination. The new legislation enhances the transparency of decisions by amending the Criminal Code to require that judges provide written reasons, or enter them into the record, when deciding sexual assault matters.
Contacts
For more information, media may contact:
Diana Ebadi
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
343-574-3446
Diana.Ebadi@justice.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca
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