Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment to the Federal Court
News release
June 1, 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.
John C. Cotter, Partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Toronto, is appointed an associate judge of the Federal Court.
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“I wish Justice Cotter every success as he takes on his new role. I am confident he will serve Canadians well as a member of the Federal Court.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Associate Judge John C. Cotter was born and raised in North Bay, Ontario. He attended the University of Western Ontario (now Western University), receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 with a major in Economics. His formal legal education was at the University of Windsor, where he obtained an LL.B. in 1986.
Associate Judge Cotter articled at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Toronto. After being admitted to the Ontario bar in 1988, he practised with the firm as an associate lawyer and then as a partner, including four years as Chair of the Intellectual Property Department. He began his career as a general litigator and over time focused primarily on intellectual property disputes; as a result, he has been counsel on a wide range of matters before a number of courts and tribunals.
Associate Judge Cotter was actively involved in the National Intellectual Property Section of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA-IP Section) and the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. This included committee work and serving as Chair of the CBA-IP Section’s Professional Development Committee and on the Section Executive. He regularly spoke and wrote on intellectual property topics, including co-authoring chapters for texts dealing with copyright and trademark matters.
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada has appointed more than 615 judges 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
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca
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