"In a career of over 50 years, Jules Deschênes established himself as one of the most distinguished figures in Canadian law. Guided by a sense of justice and remarkable professional ethics, he knew how to make the law socially relevant. Which is the reason why a number of his decisions and initiatives – such as his support for legal aid and the creation of a family mediation system to protect the interests of children – helped the cause of social progress in Canada considerably.

His competence, intellectual honesty and determination earned him the admiration of his peers here and abroad. Jules Deschênes also earned the respect of all Canadians for his work as Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals in Canada, as well as for his appointment to the International War Crime Tribunal on the Balkans and his exceptional contribution to the Commission of Inquiry of the International Labour Organization in Romania.

On behalf of all Canadians, Aline and I wish to pay tribute to Jules Deschênes for his remarkable career in service to Canadians, and to express our sincerest condolences to his loved ones."