Justice Bastarache To Retire

Below is a news release from the Supreme Court of Canada regarding Justice Michel Bastarache’s decision to retire at the end of June.

OTTAWA, April 9, 2008 – The Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada, announced today that Justice Michel Bastarache has written to the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Robert Nicholson, to advise that he will retire at the end of the spring session of the Court, effective June 30, 2008. “Justice Bastarache has served on the Court with wisdom, and made enormous contributions to the Court and to Canada. He is a valued colleague and a friend, who will be missed by all the members of the Court”, said the Chief Justice.

For his part, Justice Bastarache said, “It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to be a member of the Supreme Court of Canada. There are but a small number of jurists who have had the opportunity to serve their country in this capacity, and to have had the chance to participate so directly in the development of the law. I am extremely grateful for the privilege of serving as a member of the Court.”

Justice Bastarache was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in September 1997, after serving on the New Brunswick Court of Appeal.

“I know that the Canadian Government will consider the appointment of a new justice with the care and deliberation required”, Chief Justice McLachlin added. “I am hopeful that the appointment will be made in time for the fall session of the Court, in October 2008.”