Government of Canada announces Unified Family Court appointments in the province of Ontario Français
OTTAWA, April 11, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to promoting access to justice for all Canadians.
The family justice system should be accessible to all Canadians and easy to navigate even during difficult times. That is why the Government of Canada is continuing to support a unified family court system. This model emphasizes constructive resolutions, supported by specialized family justice services, to achieve lasting and timely outcomes for families.
Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the following appointments to support the expansion of Unified Family Courts in Ontario.
The Honourable Theresa Maddalena, currently a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, is appointed as a Judge of the Family Court Branch of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Justice Maddalena was appointed as judge of the Superior Court in 2007.
The Honourable Nathalie Gregson, a Judge of the Provincial Court of Ontario, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, a member of the Family Court Branch and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
The Honourable Wendy B. Malcolm, a Judge of the Provincial Court of Ontario, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, a member of the Family Court Branch and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Nicole J. Tellier, a sole practitioner, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, a member of the Family Court Branch and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Jacalyn D. Walters, Manager of Legal Services and Senior Counsel at the Children's Aid Society of Hamilton, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, a member of the Family Court Branch and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Mary A. Fraser, Partner/sole practitioner at Johnson, Fraser & March, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, a member of the Family Court Branch and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Robert MacLeod, Partner at MHN Lawyers, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, a member of the Family Court Branch and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Timothy G. Price, Partner at Little, Inglis, Price & Ewer LLP, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, a member of the Family Court Branch and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Lauren Bale, Partner at Hughes & Bale LLP, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, a member of the Family Court Branch and a Judge ex officio of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. She replaces Justice Lene Madsen who has been transferred by the Chief Justice to the new Unified Family Court site in Kitchener, Ontario.
Quote
"The goal of Unified Family Courts is to help to decrease conflict, encourage early resolutions, and reduce costs for Canadians caught up in the family justice system. By providing specialized judges and a wide range of family justice and community support services, this expansion will enhance access to justice, particularly for women, children and members of diverse communities."
The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Quick Facts
- To improve outcomes for Canadian families, Budget 2018 provided $77.2 million over four years to support the expansion of Unified Family Courts, beginning in 2019-2020, and $20.8 million per year ongoing. This investment in the family justice system will create 39 new judicial positions for Unified Family Courts in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Unified Family Courts allow families to resolve legal issues in a single court rather than in two separate court systems, and create a user-friendly environment with judges specialized in family law.
- Provincial governments establish the court structure and are responsible for the administrative costs associated with Unified Family Courts. The federal government appoints and pays the judges in these courts.
- The Government of Canada's commitment to expand Unified Family Courts was included in the Minister of Justice's mandate letter in November 2015.
- Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
Related Product
SOURCE Department of Justice Canada
Célia Canon, Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, 613-862-3270; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]
Share this article