May 12, 2000
Ottawa,Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today the appointment of the Honourable Donald I. Brenner, a Judge of the British Columbia Supreme Court, as Chief Justice of the British Columbia Supreme Court. He replaces former Chief Justice Bryan Williams who resigned May 1, 2000.

Chief Justice Brenner received his LL.B. from the University of British Columbia in 1970. He was called to the Bars of British Columbia in 1971, of the Northwest Territories in 1975, of Yukon Territory in 1977 and of Alberta in 1978. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1987. Prior to his appointment to the British Columbia Supreme Court in 1992, he was a partner in the Vancouver law firm of Brenner & Company.

During his time as a member of the British Columbia Supreme Court, Chief Justice Brenner has been involved in various initiatives. In 1994, Chief Justice Brenner was the founding Co-chair of the Information Technology Committee of the British Columbia Supreme Court. Since 1996, he has served as a member of the Court's Litigation Management Committee. As Chair of the Litigation Management Committee since 1999, Chief Justice Brenner has continued its work of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the court system through civil litigation management. The Committee is made up of members of the judiciary, the legal profession and the public.

This appointment is effective immediately.                                

- 30 -

PMO Press Office: 613-957-5555