Profiles of citizenship judges
- Anthony Blair
- Suzanne Carrière
- James Clover
- Carol-Ann Hart
- Rochelle Ivri
- Joan Mahoney
- Marie Senécal-Tremblay
- Rania Sfeir
- Rodney Simmons
- Albert Wong
Anthony Blair
Prior to his appointment as a citizenship judge in 2024, Anthony Blair spent more than 26 years in various positions in the federal government of Canada.
Judge Blair is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree with double majors in psychology and criminology and a minor in sociology. He has a Certificate in Management Skills for Supervisors from York University Division of Executive Development Schulich School of Business, and a Certificate in Labour Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
Suzanne Carrière
Canada’s first Métis citizenship judge, Suzanne Carrière was appointed in 2018. Prior to becoming a citizenship judge, she practiced law for 14 years, including 8 years with the Department of Justice in Aboriginal Legal Services. She represented Canada in more than 200 hearings and settlement interviews with Indian Residential School survivors as part of a dispute resolution process established to resolve claims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse suffered at the schools.
Judge Carrière earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba with a double major in criminology and psychology, and her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Calgary.
James Clover
Appointed as a citizenship judge in 2025, James Clover served 25 years as a police officer with the Edmonton Police Service. He was a lecturer in the Faculty of Health & Community Studies at MacEwan University for 10 years. Internationally, he collaborated with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, and was named a Police Fellow with the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association.
Judge Clover holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology from the University of Alberta, and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Victoria.
Carol-Ann Hart
Carol-Ann Hart was appointed as a citizenship judge in 2018. She is an experienced barrister and solicitor, and previously practiced as an arbitrator, mediator and workplace investigator. For 12 years prior to her appointment as a citizenship judge, she served as a Senior Adjudicator in the Independent Assessment Process for Indian Residential Schools claims. Her volunteer service included police oversight as a Director of Police Boards at the Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels.
Judge Hart earned a Bachelor of Laws from McGill University in Montreal, a Bachelor of Arts from Université Laval in Quebec, and a Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the JIBC.
Rochelle Ivri
Rochelle Ivri was appointed as a citizenship judge in 2018. She has extensive legal experience through her work in both the federal and provincial governments, private practice, administrative tribunals, and teaching at the post-secondary level. She is faculty at Queen’s University Law School, and a multi-award-winning author and public speaker.
Judge Ivri holds a degree in Criminology from the University of Windsor and a post-graduate certificate in Alternate Dispute Resolution from York University. She also holds licenses with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants and the Law Society of Ontario.
Joan Mahoney
Prior to her appointment as a citizenship judge in 2018, Joan Mahoney had an extensive career in the public service, first with Halifax Regional Municipality and then as the Manager of Operations for the Province of Nova Scotia’s Emergency 911 service.
Judge Mahoney is a graduate of Dalhousie University with a degree in Political Science and a certificate in Local Government Administration. She holds a certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master’s certificate in Project Management from Saint Mary’s University.
Marie Senécal-Tremblay
Marie Senécal-Tremblay served as a citizenship judge between 2013-2016 and again since 2018. She has over 25 years of legal experience practicing in the private sector and with federal administrative tribunals including labour and employment, disability and citizenship and immigration law. An actively engaged volunteer leader across a broad spectrum of Canada’s socio-cultural and heritage organizations, her contributions have been recognized with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Judge Senécal-Tremblay holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s in Business Administration from HEC-McGill University.
Rania Sfeir
Rania Sfeir was appointed as a citizenship judge in 2018 after having built a career in media and communications in both Lebanon and Canada. She immigrated to Canada in 2003 and joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC/Radio-Canada), where she worked as a radio and television journalist, as well as a senior journalist-researcher with Radio Canada International.
Judge Sfeir holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Lebanese University, Beirut.
Rodney Simmons
Appointed as a citizenship judge in 2018, Rodney Simmons has over 35 years’ experience as an educational leader. He has spearheaded programs for at-risk youth, developed creative and challenging curricula for high achieving students, and created programs to advance inclusivity and diversity in school communities. He has served as a teacher, Vice-Principal and Principal in 3 school boards.
Judge Simmons earned a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto, a Master of Science in Education from Niagara University and a Business Administration Certificate from Ryerson University.
Albert Wong
Albert Wong has served as a citizenship judge since 2014, and has more than 39 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. Part of his service included a peacekeeping mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia for the United Nations. He served as the Chief Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
Judge Wong holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo. He was conferred a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Waterloo in 2025.