Prime Minister Announces New Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Madam Justice McLachlin -- the first woman to serve as Chief Justice in Canadian history -- will be appointed and sworn to office following the retirement of Chief Justice Antonio Lamer, which takes effect January 7, 2000.

A biographical note is attached.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on March 30, 1989. Prior to her appointment, she served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, on the Court of Appeal of British Columbia and on the County Court of Vancouver.

Before joining the bench, Madam Justice McLachlin taught law at the University of British Columbia from 1974-81. She practised law with: Bull, Housser and Tupper of Vancouver (1972-75); Thomas, Herdy, Mitchell and Co. of Fort St. John, British Columbia (1971-72); and, Wood, Moir, Hyde, and Ross of Edmonton (1969-71).

Madam Justice McLachlin was called to the Bar of Alberta in 1969 and the Bar of British Columbia in 1971. She earned a law degree from the University of Alberta in 1968. And she has been awarded honorary law degrees by the University of British Columbia (1990), the University of Alberta (1990) and the University of Toronto (1995).

Madam Justice McLachlin was born in Pincher Creek, Alberta, on September 7, 1943. She is married to Mr. Frank E. McArdle and has a son, Angus.