Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of Quebec
News release
November 12, 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.
The Honourable Jean-François Roberge, a Judge of the Court of Québec in Montréal, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal. Justice Roberge replaces Justice D.W. Payette (Laval), who resigned effective April 2, 2024. Due to internal court transfers by the Chief Justice, the vacancy is located in Montréal.
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“I wish Justice Roberge every success as he takes on his new role. I am confident he will serve Quebecers well as a member of the Superior Court of Quebec.”
—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Jean-François Roberge received his Bachelor of Laws from the Université de Sherbrooke in 1996. He holds a master’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in dispute prevention and resolution, as well as a Doctor of Laws. He was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1998.
Justice Roberge was appointed as a Judge of the Court of Québec in Montréal in 2020, and was a member of the Administrative and Appeal Division. During his career, he taught law at the Université de Sherbrooke and worked as an advisory counsel in the administration of justice and judicial reform for the World Bank. He has been a visiting professor at several French universities, including the Paris-Panthéon-Assas University. Involved in the training of judges for over 20 years, he is a member of the settlement conference training team at the NJI in Canada and the National School for the Judiciary in France.
A prolific author on access to justice and civil procedure, Justice Roberge has published four books, including “La conciliation judiciaire. Maîtriser la théorie et la pratique” (2023), and has contributed to several collective works, such as “Le Grand Collectif – Code de procédure civile annoté.” He actively supports the next generation of lawyers by hosting articling students and participating in juries for the Fondation du Barreau du Québec, university competitions, and thesis defences.
Justice Roberge has shared his life with professor Catherine Régis for 16 years, and they proudly guide their two children Charles and Louis in their projects.
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada has appointed more than 795 judges since November 2015. This includes 172 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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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:
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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