The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has announced the appointment of the Honourable Aubrey Danielle Hilliard, a Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in Simcoe, to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Simcoe.
Justice Aubrey Danielle Hilliard will assume her new role, replacing Justice R.G. Nightingale (Simcoe), who chose to become a supernumerary judge from March 1, 2023.
Minister Lametti expressed his confidence in Justice Hilliard’s ability to serve the people of Ontario effectively, stating, “I wish Justice Hilliard every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve Ontarians well as a member of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario.”
Justice Aubrey Danielle Hilliard, who grew up in Toronto, obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from McMaster University in 2001 and earned her law degree from Dalhousie University in 2004. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2005.
Prior to her appointment to the Ontario Court of Justice in December 2018, Justice Hilliard worked in private practice, specializing in family law and criminal defense. She represented parents in domestic and child protection matters and served as a panel member of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. Additionally, Justice Hilliard played an active role in the Haldimand Law Association, serving as its president from 2010 to 2015.
Passionate about judicial education, Justice Hilliard was involved in the planning and implementation of training programs on criminal and family law topics. Her dedication to her community extended beyond her legal career, as she coached soccer for Haldimand Youth Soccer and supported minor hockey in Haldimand County. In her leisure time, she enjoys tending to her vegetable garden and raising her two boys alongside her husband.
The appointment of Justice Hilliard aligns with the Government of Canada’s commitment to promoting a diverse judiciary. Since November 2015, more than 625 judges have been appointed, with over half of them being women. These appointments reflect increased representation from visible minorities, Indigenous communities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and those with disabilities.
To address the needs of the courts and enhance access to justice, the Government of Canada is actively expanding the capacity of superior courts. Budget 2022 has allocated funds for 22 new judicial positions, including two associate judges at the Tax Court of Canada. Combined with the 13 positions created under Budget 2021, this brings the total number of newly established superior court positions to 37. Since Budget 2017, the government has funded 116 new judicial positions.
