PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES NEW ASSOCIATE DEPUTY MINISTER OF JUSTICE

October 2, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the appointment of Michel Bouchard, currently Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Quebec. This appointment is effective October 2, 2003.

Michel Bouchard comes to this position after a long and distinguished career with the Quebec Public Service, which has spanned 25 years. He brings to the position a wealth of experience and a profound knowledge of civil and criminal law. Mr. Bouchard began his career in 1973 as a Partner with the law firm of Desjardins, Lacroix, Routhier and Bouchard. He joined the Quebec Public Service in 1978 as Crown Attorney of Quebec for the District of Québec, and served in various Crown Attorney capacities for a period of ten years. In 1988, he was appointed Associate Deputy Minister, Criminal and Penal Matters Branch with the Quebec Department of Justice, a position he held until his appointment as Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Quebec in 1993. Mr. Bouchard holds a Licentiate in Laws from the University of Laval and is a Member of the Order of Advocates of Quebec.

Biographical information attached.

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

MICHEL BOUCHARD

Date of Birth: November 1948

Education

- College Diploma, Collège des Jésuites, Québec
- Licentiate in Laws, Laval University - Admission to the Roll of the Law Society of Quebec
- Diploma in a course for managers in a prosecution lawyers study

Professional Experience

June 1993 to Present
Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Quebec

April 1992
Acting Associate Deputy Minister, Judicial Services Branch, Department of Justice of Quebec, and Associate Deputy Minister, Criminal and Penal Matters Branch

March 1988
Associate Deputy Minister, Criminal and Penal Matters Branch, Department of Justice of Quebec

December 1984
Chief Crown Attorney for the Districts of Québec, Charlevoix, Montmagny and Beauce

April 1984
Assistant Chief Crown Attorney for the District of Québec

1978
Crown Attorney of Quebec for the District of Québec

1973 - 1978
Partner in Desjardins, Lacroix, Routhier and Bouchard law firm, practice of civil law, and then Federal prosecutor in matters of narcotics, food and drug, taxes and merchant seamen

1972 - 1973
Student-at-law