Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of British Columbia
News release
November 29, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable Arif Virani, 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.
Lindsay R. LeBlanc, K.C., Partner at Cox Taylor in Victoria, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Victoria. Justice LeBlanc replaces Justice A.J. Saunders (Victoria), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective November 26, 2024.
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“I wish Justice LeBlanc every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve the people of British Columbia well as a member of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.”
—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Lindsay R. LeBlanc, K.C., was born and raised in Quesnel (traditional territory of the Lhtako Dene). She obtained her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Northern British Columbia and a LL.B. from the University of Victoria. She was called to the British Columbia bar in 2006.
Justice LeBlanc began and continued her career at Cox Taylor in Victoria, where she developed a hybrid solicitor and litigation practice, focusing in the areas of property development, municipal, administrative, corporate commercial and wills & estates. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2023.
Justice LeBlanc has been a dedicated volunteer, having served on many boards and regulatory entities. She was elected a Bencher of the Law Society of BC for the Victoria County and served as 2nd Vice-President. She served six years as a Governor for the Law Foundation of BC with her last two years as Chair and participated as a member of the Supreme Court Rules Committee. She has served as a Governor of the University of Victoria and director of many other philanthropic societies.
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada has appointed more than 805 judges since November 2015. This includes 178 appointments since the Honourable Arif Virani became Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada on July 26, 2023, a pace of appointments that has no precedent in Canadian history. These exceptional jurists represent the diversity that strengthens Canada. Of these judges, more than half are women, and appointments reflect an increased representation of racialized persons, 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 provided 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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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:
Chantalle Aubertin
Deputy Director, Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General
613-992-6568
Chantalle.Aubertin@justice.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca
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