In a recent announcement, the Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, revealed the appointments of two judges to senior roles within the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. These appointments fall under the 2016 judicial application process, which prioritizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian populace to ensure the appointment of qualified jurists.
Justice Renee M. Pomerance, formerly a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, has been appointed Regional Senior Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario for the Southwest Region. She fills the vacancy left by Justice Bruce G. Thomas, who transitioned back to the regular roster of active Judges as of June 1, 2023.
Similarly, Justice W. Danial Newton, also previously a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, has been designated as the Regional Senior Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario for the Northwest Region. Justice Newton replaces Justice B.R. Warkentin, who rejoined the regular line-up of active Judges at the beginning of the year on January 1, 2023.
Speaking on these appointments, Minister Virani stated, “I wish Justices Pomerance and Newton every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve Ontarians well as Regional Senior Judges of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario.”
Justice Pomerance boasts an impressive background. Graduating with honors from the University of Toronto in 1984, she secured her Bachelor of Laws in 1987. Before her 2006 appointment to the Superior Court, she was associated with the Crown Law Office – Criminal, Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario. She also had significant tenures as counsel to the Honourable Peter Cory and as a Senior Advisor at the National Judicial Institute in Ottawa. Her primary expertise lies in criminal law, constitutional law, and judicial education.
Meanwhile, Justice Newton brings his own set of commendable credentials. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario in 1979, he secured his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1982. Prior to joining the Superior Court in 2014, he was a partner at CARREL+Partners LLP in Thunder Bay, specializing in civil litigation. Recognized for his skills, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2012. Additionally, he has played pivotal roles in legal education, serving as a Clinical Instructor at Lakehead University Faculty of Law and holding positions with various legal associations.
