In a significant reshuffle of the Manitoba judiciary, the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the appointment of five judges across different courts in Manitoba. The appointments were made through the judicial application process initiated in 2016, emphasizing transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population.
Justices James G. Edmond, David J. Kroft, and Anne Turner have been appointed as Judges of Appeal of the Court of Appeal for Manitoba, based in Winnipeg. These appointments fill the vacancies left by Justices L.T. Spivak, K.I. Simonsen, and W.J. Burnett, who either opted for supernumerary status or resigned.
Justice Alain G.J. Huberdeau, formerly of the Provincial Court of Manitoba, is now a Judge of the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba, while Sarah A. Inness, a Founding Lawyer at Campbell Gunn Inness Seib Jones, has also been appointed to the Court of King’s Bench.
Minister Virani expressed confidence in the appointees: “I wish Justices Edmond, Kroft, Turner, Huberdeau, and Inness every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Manitoba well as members of the Court of Appeal and the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba.”
Justice James G. Edmond has been with Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP since 1982, and his expertise lies in commercial law, litigation, insurance law, and construction law. Justice David J. Kroft had been with Fillmore Riley LLP since 1990, focusing on commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and insolvency law. Justice Anne Turner brings a focus on criminal law and has served as a Senior Crown Counsel.
Justice Alain G.J. Huberdeau stands out for his bilingual capabilities and his work with northern Manitoba’s Indigenous communities. Justice Sarah A. Inness has devoted her career to private practice as a defense lawyer and has been involved with several boards and organizations, such as the Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba and the Winnipeg Drug Treatment Court.
These appointments are part of Canada’s judicial application process that seeks to ensure the appointment of jurists meeting the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
