Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has put forth the name of Judge Mary Moreau from Alberta for the nation’s Supreme Court. This move is historic as it paves the way for the court to have a majority of female judges, with five women and four men on the bench.
Judge Moreau, with her extensive experience spanning 29 years in Alberta’s superior court, including her recent role as its chief justice, is set to fill the position left vacant by the resignation of Russell Brown in June. An Edmonton native, Moreau boasts a rich academic background, having studied at the University of Alberta and the Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec. Her legal expertise encompasses criminal law, constitutional law, and civil litigation.
Canada’s Justice Minister, Arif Virani, celebrated this milestone on X (previously known as Twitter), highlighting the historic significance of having a majority of women on the Supreme Court bench.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent nominations have added diversity to Canada’s top court. In 2021, Mahmud Jamal was appointed as the first judge of color, and the following year saw Michelle O’Bonsawin becoming the first Indigenous individual to join the court.
Commenting on Moreau’s nomination, Trudeau expressed his confidence in her commitment to fairness and excellence, emphasizing her remarkable judicial career.
The nomination process involved an independent, non-partisan advisory board shortlisting eligible candidates, which was then presented to Trudeau. A statement from the Prime Minister’s office outlined the criteria for the candidates, which included proficiency in both official languages, English and French. Additionally, to ensure regional representation, the nominee for the current vacancy had to hail from either western or northern Canada.