Arif Virani, federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has announced a series of new appointments to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario.
Justice Patrick J. Boucher, previously a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Sudbury, has been elevated to the position of Regional Senior Judge of the Northeast Region. He succeeds Justice Gregory Ellies, who has rejoined the regular active Judges as of January 1, 2024.
In another key appointment, Justice Michael B.J. Carnegie, formerly of the Ontario Court of Justice in London, now joins the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in the same city. He fills the vacancy left by Justice M.D. Parayeski, who chose supernumerary status as of February 17, 2023. In a chain of transfers, Justice M. Valente moves into this vacancy, with Justice M.D. McArthur filling the resultant gap.
Stephen J. Wojciechowski, previously a Partner at ERYOU Barristers in Thunder Bay, is appointed as a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Thunder Bay. He takes over the position vacated by Justice S.A. Gomery, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal for Ontario on November 3, 2023.
Evelyn M. ten Cate, a Partner at Fosters Law LLP in London, is also joining the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in London. She replaces Justice B.G. Thomas, who became a supernumerary judge effective September 1, 2023.
Finally, Joanna M. Shaw, the Founder of JMS Law in Barrie, has been appointed as a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, Family Court, in Newmarket. Her appointment fills one of the two positions authorized by the Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1. The Chief Justice has arranged for Justice J. Bruhn to fill this vacancy, now located in the Newmarket – Family Court.
In a statement, The Hon. Arif Virani expressed his optimism and confidence in the new appointees, stating, “I wish Justices Boucher, Carnegie, Wojciechowski, ten Cate, and Shaw every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve Ontarians well as members of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario.”
