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Statement by the Prime Minister on the retirement of Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin

December 14, 2017
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the retirement of the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada:

“Today, I join all Canadians to express our sincere gratitude to the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada, on her well-deserved retirement.

“Chief Justice McLachlin’s accomplishments as a jurist are unparalleled in our country’s history. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 1989 and named as Chief Justice in 2000, she is Canada’s longest serving Chief Justice and the first-ever woman to hold the office. During her career on our highest court, she heard over 2000 cases, many of which touched on issues that directly impacted how we define ourselves as a country.

“Chief Justice McLachlin has championed diversity on the bench and the advancement of women in the legal profession. She resolutely protected judicial independence, as well as the role that a strong and impartial judiciary plays within a healthy and vibrant democracy.

“She has also shone a spotlight on the importance of access to justice, and advocated for timely access to representation, to courtrooms, and to legal processes for all Canadians.

“Raised in rural Alberta as the oldest of five siblings, Chief Justice McLachlin remained grounded and down-to-earth despite her meteoric rise through the judiciary since first being named to the bench in 1981. She understood that the law had to be meaningful and accessible to Canadians, and demonstrated this through judicial decisions written in clear, understandable language. She also appreciated the need for the law to evolve to respond to the needs of a changing society, and knew that, for public trust to be maintained, the law and the judiciary had to be relevant to the people they serve.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I thank Chief Justice McLachlin for her long and dedicated service, and for being the trailblazer that this country needed. We are a better country, and a more just society, thanks to her service. We wish her all the best in her retirement.”

Prime Minister welcomes appointment of new Senate Ethics Officer

December 14, 2017
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today welcomed the appointment of Pierre Legault as the new Senate Ethics Officer.

This appointment, which was recently approved by the Senate, is effective January 10, 2018.

The Senate Ethics Officer is responsible for administering, interpreting, and applying the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators. The Senate Ethics Officer is an independent Officer of the Senate, appointed under the Parliament of Canada Act for a term of seven years.  

Mr. Legault was chosen as the nominee for the position of Senate Ethics Officer through the Government’s open, transparent, and merit-based appointment process.

Biographical Notes

• Pierre Legault

Associated Link

• Prime Minister nominates the next Senate Ethics OfficerPrime Minister welcomes appointment of new Commissioner of Lobbying
  December 14, 2017
  Ottawa, Ontario
  
  
  The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today welcomed the appointment of Nancy Bélanger as the new Commissioner of Lobbying.
  This appointment, which was recently approved by the House of Commons and Senate, is effective December 30, 2017.
  The Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying was established in 2008 under the Lobbying Act to support the Commissioner of Lobbying. The Commissioner is an independent Agent of Parliament, appointed under the Lobbying Act for a term of seven years.
  Ms. Bélanger was chosen as the nominee for the position of the Commissioner of Lobbying through the Government’s open, transparent, and merit-based appointment process.
  Biographical Notes
  • Nancy Bélanger
  Associated Link
  • Prime Minister nominates next Commissioner of Lobbying
  • Prime Minister welcomes appointment of new Commissioner of Official Languages
    
    December 14, 2017
    Ottawa, Ontario
    
    
    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today welcomed the appointment of Raymond Théberge as the new Commissioner of Official Languages.
    This appointment, which was recently approved by the House of Commons and the Senate, is effective January 29, 2018.
    The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages was created in 1970 under the Official Languages Act to protect and promote linguistic duality. The Commissioner of Official Languages is an Agent of Parliament appointed for a term of seven years.
    Mr. Théberge was chosen as the nominee for the position of Commissioner of Official Languages through the Government’s open, transparent, and merit-based appointment process.
    Biographical Notes
    • Raymond Théberge
    Associated Link
    • Prime Minister nominates the next Commissioner of Official Languages
    • Itinerary for Friday, December 15, 2017
      
      December 14, 2017
      Ottawa, Ontario
      
      
      Itinerary for the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, for Friday, December 15, 2017:
      Vaughan, Ontario
      9:45 a.m. The Prime Minister will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station.
      Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station 
      3150 Hwy 7 W
      Notes for media:
      • Photo opportunity
      • Media should arrive no later than 9 a.m.
      • A TTC return shuttle will be provided between Vaughan Station and York University Station for media looking to cover the event
      • Warm clothing is recommended
      9:55 a.m.  The Prime Minister will ride the TTC subway from Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station to York University Station.
      Note for media:
      • Pooled photo opportunity
      10:10 a.m.  The Prime Minister will deliver remarks inside York University Station. A media availability will follow.
      York University Station
      120 Ian MacDonald Blvd
      Notes for media:
      • Open coverage
      • Media should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m.
      • A TTC return shuttle will be provided between Vaughan Station and York University Station for media looking to cover the event
      • Warm clothing is recommended
      Media appearances
      • An interview with the Prime Minister will air at 8:15 a.m. on CityNews: Breakfast Television Toronto.
      • Reminder - Itinerary for Thursday, December 14, 2017
        
        December 13, 2017
        Ottawa, Ontario
        
        
        Itinerary for the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, for Thursday, December 14, 2017:
        Ottawa, Ontario
        4 p.m. The Prime Minister will participate in a live discussion on the G7 Canada Facebook page.
        7 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend a dinner being held in honour of the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada. He will also deliver remarks.
        Shaw Centre
        55 Colonel By Drive
        Notes for media:
        • Media should arrive no later than 6 p.m. at the main entrance of the Shaw Centre
        • Open coverage