Government of Canada announces judicial appointment in the province of New Brunswick

OTTAWA, Oct. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the new judicial application process announced on October 20, 2016. The new process emphasizes transparency, merit, and diversity, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

Chantal N. Daigle, a Case Management Master of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick, Family Division, is appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick, Family Division, in Saint John. She replaces Madam Justice B. Robichaud (Moncton), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective July 9, 2016. The vacancy was transferred by the Chief Justice from Moncton to Saint John.

Biography

Madam Justice Chantal N. Daigle obtained her business degree, with distinction, and her law degree from the University of New Brunswick. After graduating from law school in 1995, she joined Stewart McKelvey and became a partner in 2004, maintaining a litigation practice focused on insurance defence and family law. Fluently bilingual, Justice Daigle has conducted cases in both official languages before all levels of court in New Brunswick. She was recognized by "Best Lawyers in Canada" for her expertise in personal injury litigation from 2011 to 2015.

A dedicated member of the Law Society of New Brunswick, Justice Daigle lectured on civil procedure at the New Brunswick Bar Admission Course for many years. She also chaired the recruitment committee for the Saint John office of Stewart McKelvey from 2013 to 2015. 

In early 2016, Justice Daigle was appointed the Case Management Master for the Court of Queen's Bench, Family Division, in Saint John. In this role, Justice Daigle has conducted case conferences; assisted litigants in resolving disputes; and rendered interim orders on custody, access, child support and spousal support. She remains deeply committed to fostering meaningful access to justice for the children and families served by the Court of Queen's Bench.

Justice Daigle enjoys running and trying to keep up with her energetic daughter. She and her spouse and daughter live in beautiful Quispamsis.

Excerpts from Justice Daigle's judicial application will be available shortly.

Quick Facts

• Budget 2017 includes additional funding of $55 million over five years beginning in 2017-2018 and $15.5 million per year thereafter for 28 new federally appointed judges. Of these new positions, 12 have been allotted to Alberta and one to the Yukon, with the remaining 15 being assigned to a pool for needs in other jurisdictions.
• To ensure a judiciary that is responsive, ethical and sensitive to the evolving needs of Canadian society, the Canadian Judicial Council will receive $2.7 million over five years and $0.5 million ongoing thereafter. This will support programming on judicial education, ethics and conduct, including in relation to gender and cultural sensitivity.
• Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
• The Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada play a key role in evaluating judicial applications. There are 17 Judicial Advisory Committees, with each province and territory represented.
• Significant reforms to the role and structure of the Judicial Advisory Committees, aimed at enhancing the independence and transparency of the process, were announced on October 20, 2016.
• The Judicial Advisory Committees in 15 jurisdictions have been reconstituted. Most recently, Minister Wilson-Raybould announced the composition of five new Judicial Advisory Committees on June 28, 2017.
• This process is separate from the Supreme Court of Canadajudicial appointment process opened on July 14, 2017. Nominees to the Supreme Court of Canada are selected by the Prime Minister from a thoroughly vetted list of candidates.

SOURCE Department of Justice Canada