/EINPresswire.com/ -- OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 06/17/16 -- Department of Justice Canada

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment:

The Honourable Judith M. Woods, a judge with the Tax Court of Canada, is appointed a judge of the Federal Court of Appeal to replace Mr. Justice C.M. Ryer, who resigned effective May 1, 2016.

This appointment is effective immediately.

Quick Facts

--  The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs administers
    the advisory committees, representing each province and territory, which
    assess the qualifications of the lawyers who apply for federal judicial
    appointments.
--  Consultations in both the legal and non-legal community are undertaken
    by the committee in respect of each applicant.
--  Lawyer candidates are notified of the date they were assessed by the
    committee, and assessments are valid for a period of two years from that
    date. During that time, a "recommended" candidate remains on the list of
    those available for judicial appointment by the Minister of Justice.
--  Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General acting on
    the advice of the federal Cabinet. A recommendation for appointment is
    made to Cabinet by the Minister of Justice with respect to the
    appointment of puisne judges, and by the Prime Minister with respect to
    the appointment of Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices.
--  The Government is considering ways to strengthen the judicial
    appointments process, guided by the same principles of openness,
    transparency, and merit as reflected in the Government's new process
    applicable to Governor in Council (GIC) appointments more generally. The
    Government is committed to ensuring that Canada's judiciary truly
    reflects the face of Canada.
--  Reforms of the judicial appointments process will take time and require
    appropriate consultations, including with the judiciary, the legal
    community and the general public.

Quote

"We know that our country is stronger, and our judicial system more effective, when our judges reflect Canada's diversity. As promised, we have filled the urgent judicial vacancies by drawing on a list of recommended candidates who are of the highest calibre and who are as diverse as Canada. I have every confidence in the judgment of these appointees and in their commitment - and ability - to deliver just outcomes for Canadians. Moving forward, we will continue to search for ways to strengthen the judicial appointment process so that it is even more open, transparent, and merit-based."

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Related Products

- Biography of the Honourable Judith M. Woods

Associated Links

- Federal Court of Appeal

- Canada's Court System

- Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs

- Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982

- Judges Act

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Contacts:
Michael Davis
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621

Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207