Canadian Armed Forces Welcomes New Judge Advocate General

News Release

June 27, 2017 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Commodore Geneviève Bernatchez assumed the position of Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from Major-General Blaise Cathcart today during a ceremony at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa. Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan presided over the ceremony.

The JAG is the legal adviser to the Governor General, the Minister of National Defence, the Department of National Defence, and the CAF in all matters relating to military law. The JAG also has the superintendence of the administration of military justice in the CAF.

Commodore Bernatchez holds a Masters of International Legal Studies degree, with a specialization in National Security Law, from Georgetown University (Washington D.C.), a Bachelor of Laws from the Université de Montréal and a Diplôme d'Études Collégiales in Administration from the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf (Montréal). She has been a member of the Barreau du Québec since 1993. 

Major-General Cathcart will be retiring from the CAF later this year following a distinguished military career.

Quotes

“The Judge Advocate General is a position of special importance within Canada. I want to thank Major-General Cathcart for his dedication to military justice that has positively affected the lives and careers of CAF members past, present, and future. I welcome Commodore Bernatchez as the fifteenth Judge Advocate General, and I have no doubt that she will uphold these new responsibilities with the same tremendous skill and dedication that she has demonstrated throughout her career.”

-Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan 

“I am honoured to serve as the 15th Judge Advocate General of the Canadian Armed Forces in a leading team of dedicated legal officers who provide essential legal advice to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence across the spectrum of Military law in furtherance of CAF operations both at home and abroad.”

-Commodore Geneviève Bernatchez, incoming Judge Advocate General

“It has been a rewarding and humbling privilege to serve as Judge Advocate General for these past seven years. I am honoured to have led such an exceptional legal team that worked tirelessly to ensure the highest possible standards, while maintaining the trust and confidence of CAF members and all Canadians.”

-Major-General Blaise Cathcart, outgoing Judge Advocate General

Quick Facts

  • Commodore Bernatchez is the first woman to be appointed as JAG. 

  • Commodore Bernatchez enrolled in the Canadian Naval Reserve in 1987 and transferred to Regular Force in 1997 where she joined the Office of the JAG.  

  • Following assignments with the Department of Justice Canada as Deputy Legal Advisor (Military) and Director of Legal Advisory Services, she was promoted to the rank of Captain (Navy) in 2010, serving as Deputy Judge Advocate General for Operations. Commodore Bernatchez served subsequently as the Chief of Staff to the Judge Advocate General, and most recently held the position of Deputy Judge Advocate General/Regional Services.

  • Major-General Cathcart has served in the CAF for 27 years. During his career, he has served as the Deputy Legal Advisor and General Counsel-Military in the Office of the DND/CAF Legal Advisor, as the Deputy Judge Advocate General/Military Justice and Administrative Law, and as Deputy Judge Advocate General/Operations. He was first appointed JAG in April 2010 and was promoted to the rank of Major-General in October 2012.

Associated Links

Contacts

Jordan Owens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: jordan.owens@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

Page details

Date modified: