First 100 Days

Key Contacts

Traditionally, a newly appointed Minister of Justice contacts a number of key stakeholders, including the Chief Justice of Canada and the provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice, within the initial weeks of taking office. Whenever such meetings or phone calls are scheduled, Department of Justice officials prepare detailed briefing materials and talking points to assist in these discussions.

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, she is also the Chair of the Canadian Judicial Council, comprised of the chief justices of all superior courts in Canada. Her biography as well as suggested talking points for your call are attached as Annex 1. Additional briefing materials and talking points for a future meeting will be provided to your office once a date is confirmed.

The federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for justice last met in October 2014, in Banff, Alberta.      [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act. s.13(1), s.14]      Additional information on the upcoming meeting can be found under Note 2. A list and biographies of the provincial and territorial ministers of justice and attorneys general, as well as suggested talking points for your calls, are attached as Annex 2.

Introductory letters to the provincial and territorial ministers of justice and attorneys general will be prepared for your signature and provided to your office separately.

Following your appointment, the United States Attorney General, Ms. Loretta Lynch and the Canadian Bar Association President, Ms. Janet M. Fuhrer, might contact you to discuss matters of mutual interest. Their biography and suggested talking points are attached as Annexes 3 and 4. Additional information on the upcoming meetings of: the Quintet of Attorneys General can be found under Note D-4; Canadian Bar Association can be found under Note 5.

Annexes

Biography of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin and talking points

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE BEVERLEY McLACHLIN, P.C.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE BEVERLEY McLACHLIN, P.C.
CHIEF JUSTICE OF CANADA

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin was born and raised in southern Alberta. She attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of Arts in Philosophy (1964) and an LL.B. (1968). She has also been awarded several honorary degrees.

Chief Justice McLachlin articled in Edmonton and practised law in Edmonton, Fort St. John, and Vancouver from 1968 to 1971. She taught at the Faculty of Law of the University of British Columbia from 1975 to 1981.

In 1981, Chief Justice McLachlin was appointed to the County Court of Vancouver. She was elevated to the Supreme Court of British Columbia later that year and to the Court of Appeal of British Columbia in 1986. In 1988, she became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, where she served until her appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1989.

Chief Justice McLachlin has authored numerous publications. She has served as Chair of the Canadian Judicial Council, Chair of the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada, and Chair of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute.

She was appointed Chief Justice of Canada on January 7, 2000. She is also a member of the Privy Council of Canada

Talking Points
Courtesy call with the Chief Justice of Canada

     [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act. s.21(1)(a), s.21(1)(b)]     

PREPARED BY
Adair Crosby
Senior Counsel
Judicial Affairs, Courts and Tribunal Policy

APPROVED BY
Laurie Wright
Assistant Deputy Minister
Public Law Sector

List of Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General

Government Department or Ministry Minister Deputy Minister
Canada Justice and Attorney General   William F Pentney, Q.C.
Public Prosecution Service of Canada Brian Saunders (Director of Public Prosecution)
Public Safety   François Guimont
Newfoundland and Labrador Justice and Public Safety Darin King Paul Noble
Attorney General Felix Collins
Prince Edward Island Premier of PEI Justice, Attorney General and Public Safety H. Wade MacLauchlan Michele Dorsey
Nova Scotia Justice and Attorney General Diana C. Whalen Tilly Pillay, Q.C.
Public Prosecution Service (Justice)   Martin E Herschorn (Public Prosecutions)
New Brunswick Justice and Solicitor General Stephen Horsman Johanne Bray
Public Safety Graig Dalton
Quebec Justice and Attorney General Stéphanie Vallée Nathalie G. Drouin
Criminal and Penal Prosecutions  

Annick Murphy (Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions)
Public Security Lise Thériault Denis Marsolais
Ontario Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur Patrick Monahan
Community Safety Yasir Naqvi Matt Torigian
Correctional Services Stephen Rhodes
Manitoba Justice and Attorney General Gord Mackintosh Donna Miller
Saskatchewan Justice and Attorney General Gordon Wyant Kevin Fenwick
Corrections and Policing Christine Tell Dale McFee
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Kathleen Ganley Philip Bryden
Attorney General

Curtis Clarke (Associate Deputy Solicitor General)
British Columbia Justice and Attorney General Suzanne Anton Lori Wanamaker (Deputy Solicitor General and Deputy Minister)
Richard Fyfe (Deputy Attorney General)
Yukon Justice Brad Cathers Thomas Ullyett
Northwest Territory Justice David Ramsay Sylvia Haener
Nunavut Justice Paul Okalik Elizabeth Sanderson

THE HONOURABLE DARIN KING

THE HONOURABLE DARIN KING

MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Darin King was born in Grand Bank, and raised in Fortune on the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. After high school, he completed a Bachelor of Education and Diploma in School Resources Services from Memorial University; a Masters of Education at Saint Mary's University, Halifax; and a PhD from Northcentral University, Arizona.

Prior to his election, Mr. King was the CEO/Director of Education for the Eastern School District with responsibility for 127 schools and approximately 46,000 students. Through his career in education, he served as a classroom teacher and in a variety of leadership positions at the school and school district levels. He has taught graduate studies at Memorial University and served as a supervisor of doctoral students.

Mr. King was first elected as the Member of the House of Assembly for the District of Grand Bank in October 2007, and was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education. He was re-elected to the House of Assembly in October 2011.

He has served as Minister of the Departments of Education; Human Resources, Labour and Employment; Fisheries and Aquaculture; Justice; Labour; Business, Tourism, Culture, and Rural Development; as well as Government House Leader.

In March 2015, he was appointed Government House Leader, as well as Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture, and Rural Development; Minister of the Research and Development Corporation; Minister of Justice and Public Safety; and Minister of Fire and Emergency Services.

Mr. King has acquired an extensive background in community service and rural development as a result of serving on a variety of boards and organizations.

THE HONOURABLE FELIX COLLINS

THE HONOURABLE FELIX COLLINS

ATTORNEY GENERAL NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Born in St. Anne's, Placentia Bay, Felix Collins graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education (1964) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (1968). He completed a Masters of Education degree from the University of Boston (1972) and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa (1995) at which time he was awarded the Newton Rowell Scholarship for his dedication to public service.

Mr. Collins worked as a school principal, teacher, coordinator and a Superintendent of Education until retirement in 1992 at which time he entered law school. He was called to the Newfoundland Bar in April 1996 and is a Member of the Law Society of Newfoundland. He practiced law in St. John’s until 2007. He was Mayor of the Town of Placentia for sixteen years and a member of the Placentia Council for nineteen years.

In February 2006, Mr. Collins was elected to the Newfoundland & Labrador House of Assembly for the District of Placentia – St. Mary’s in a by-election. He was re-elected in the October 2007 general election. As a Member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Collins has served as Deputy Chair of Committees, Chair of the Elections & Privileges Committee, and as a Member of the Public Accounts Committee. He also served as Legislative Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and as Commissioner for the St. John’s Urban Region (Agricultural) Development Area Boundary Review.

In October 2009, Mr. Collins was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General. He was re-elected as the Member for Placentia – St. Mary’s and was re-appointed as Minister of Justice and Attorney General in October 2011. He then served as Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs from October 2012 until October 2013. From January to September 2014, Mr. Collins served as Attorney General. Mr. Collins was re-appointed Attorney General on March 12, 2015.

THE HONOURABLE H. WADE MacLAUCHLAN

THE HONOURABLE H. WADE MacLAUCHLAN

PREMIER OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND ATTORNEY GENERAL

H. Wade MacLauchlan was born in Stanhope where he completed his early education before studying at the University of Prince Edward Island, the University of New Brunswick, and Yale University.

Prior to entering provincial politics, Mr. MacLauchlan was Dean of Law at the University of New Brunswick and a professor of law at Dalhousie University. He served as the University of Prince Edward Island President from 1999 to 2011. During that time, the University rose in stature regionally and nationally, made dramatic strides in research and development, and placed enhanced emphasis on community engagement.

Mr. MacLauchlan authored the political biography of Alex. B Campbell, Prince Edward Island’s longest- serving premier, entitled Alex B. Campbell: The Prince Edward Island Premier Who Rocked the Cradle.

Mr. MacLauchlan has extensive community involvement, including serving as a member of the local council in the Community of North Shore; co-chairing the Georgetown Conference; serving as a board member of the Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities; and serving on the boards of several large philanthropic foundations. He was named to the Order of Canada in 2008 and to the Order of Prince Edward Island in 2014.

Mr. MacLauchlan was re-elected as Premier of Prince Edward Island on May 4, 2015.

THE HONOURABLE DIANA C. WHALEN

THE HONOURABLE DIANA C. WHALEN

MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL NOVA SCOTIA

The Honourable Diana Whalen was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Halifax Clayton Park in 2003 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2009. She was again elected as MLA for Clayton Park West in 2013.

She has served as Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, the Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, the Minister responsible for the Utility and Review Board Act, and the minister responsible for various acts which normally fall under the purview of the finance and liquor corporation portfolios.

She worked as a management consultant and is a former HRM Councillor for District 16.

She is Chair of the Law Amendments Committee. She is a member of the Internal Affairs Committee.

THE HONOURABLE STEPHEN HORSMAN

THE HONOURABLE STEPHEN HORSMAN

MINISTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOLICITOR GENERAL

MINISTER OF JUSTICE NEW BRUNSWICK

Stephen Horsman graduated from Oromocto High School in 1980. He received his Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University (1985) and a Bachelor of Education (1986). During his time at St. Thomas, he was a two-time recipient of the John Frederick Walls Award for Excellence in Academics and Athletics and was named Most Valuable Player of the basketball team six times. He was a three-time male athlete of the year and was also awarded the Sports Governing Board Medallion for his outstanding contributions to STU Athletics.

Mr. Horsman graduated from the Atlantic Police Academy in 1987. He served as a police officer for the City of Fredericton for 25 years before retiring. He has experience as a supply teacher and coach, and has served as a volunteer on various community boards and committees.

Mr. Horsman was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in September 2014, as the member for Fredericton North, and was sworn in as Deputy Premier, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Minister of Justice, and Minister responsible for Military Affairs on October 7, 2014.

STÉPHANIE VALLÉE

STÉPHANIE VALLÉE

MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL QUEBEC

Stéphanie Vallée studied at the University of Ottawa and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in civil law (LL.L.) in 1993 and is a member of the Barreau du Québec since 1995.

From 1995 to 2007, Ms. Vallée was a partner at Vallée & Hubert, a law firm in Maniwaki, and she held the position of Chief Federal Negotiator at the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development from 2006 to 2007.

Heavily involved in cultural affairs, Ms. Vallée was a member of the board of directors of CHGA community radio (1995-200); member of the executive council and the board of directors of la Maison de la culture de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau (1999-2004); member of the Association Québécoise des avocats et avocates de la défense, Hull district (2001-2007); member of the parent participation organization, Collège Sacré-Coeur, Maniwaki (2003-2006); and councillor at the Council of the Bar of Hull (2004-2007).

Ms. Vallée was named Minister of Justice of Québec in 2014.

THE HONOURABLE MADELEINE MEILLEUR

THE HONOURABLE MADELEINE MEILLEUR

ATTORNEY GENERAL ONTARIO

     [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act. s.19(1)]      She is a registered nurse and lawyer specializing in labour and employment law. She was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 after more than a decade in municipal politics.

Prior to her appointment as Attorney General in March 2014, Ms. Meilleur served as Minister of Culture (2003-2006), Minister of Community and Social Services (2006-2011), and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services (2011-2014). Additionally, Ms. Meilleur has been Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs since February 2013.

She was appointed to the rank of Chevalier of the Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur by the Ambassador of France to Canada in March 2012.

As Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Minister Meilleur formed Ontario’s first ever Civil Liberties Discussion Table, she has been active in supporting police, firefighters, corrections officers and other first responders, and she has successfully led the effort to make Ontario the first province in Canada to make sprinklers mandatory in retirement homes and vulnerable care occupancies.

Thanks to her leadership, Ontario passed laws promoting the social inclusion of persons with developmental disabilities and giving Ontarians access to open adoption records. She also spearheaded efforts to introduce a new and strengthened Ontario Heritage Act, concluding 30 years of efforts to provide better heritage protection.

As Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, she has been committed to building stronger French communities through critical investments in education and health services, including the expansion of the Montfort Hospital.

THE HONOURABLE GORD MACKINTOSH

THE HONOURABLE GORD MACKINTOSH

MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL MANITOBA

Gord Mackintosh has degrees in political studies and law. He worked for the Manitoba and Canadian Human Rights Commissions and was later Deputy Clerk of the Manitoba Legislature. As a lawyer with the Winnipeg law firm Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, he was involved in environmental issues and notably was advisor to Elijah Harper during the Meech Lake constitutional crisis.

Mr. Mackintosh was Chair of the Patients’ Rights Committee and served on the boards of the Rainbow Society (for children with life-threatening illnesses) and the Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties.

Mr. Mackintosh was first elected to Manitoba’s Legislature as the NDP MLA for the north Winnipeg constituency of St. Johns in 1993 and re-elected in five general elections. He has served as the Government House Leader and Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Minister charged with the administration of The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act; Minister of Family Services and Housing and Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities; Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs with responsibility for the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission; and Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship.

Mr. Mackintosh has helped produce child victim-friendly courtrooms and waiting rooms, Cybertip.ca (to report on- line predators and child pornography), Provincial Amber Alert, a high risk offender website, and strict new child support laws. He has helped lead successful efforts to strengthen child protection laws.

On April 29, 2015, Mr. Mackintosh was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister responsible for Constitutional Affairs and Minister charged with the administration of the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act.

THE HONOURABLE GORDON S. WYANT, Q.C.

THE HONOURABLE GORDON S. WYANT, Q.C.

MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL SASKATCHEWAN

Born and raised in Saskatoon, Gordon S. Wyant completed his Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in 1985, and graduated from the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in 1986. Shortly after convocation, Mr. Wyant began practicing law with the firm McKercher LLP, where he practiced as a partner until his appointment as Attorney General.

Mr. Wyant has served the community in numerous roles and organizations over the last 25 years including the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the United Way of Saskatoon and founding director of the Children’s Health Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Since 2000, Mr. Wyant has also been an active public servant. He was elected as Trustee for the Saskatoon Public School Board and served as Chair for two years. He was elected City Councillor for Ward 5 in 2003 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2009. Mr. Wyant has served on numerous committees of council including chairing the Planning and Operations Committee since 2006 as well as serving on two standing committees on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Mr, Wyant received his Queen’s Counsel designation in 2009. He was first elected as the MLA for Saskatoon Northwest in an October 2010 by-election. He was re- elected in the 2011 provincial election.

On May 25, 2012, Mr. Wyant was appointed to serve as Minister of Justice and Attorney General and Deputy Government House Leader. In June 2014, Mr. Wyant was also appointed as Minister Responsible for SaskBuilds.

THE HONOURABLE KATHLEEN GANLEY

THE HONOURABLE KATHLEEN GANLEY

MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND SOLICITOR GENERAL ALBERTA

Along with a juris doctor degree from the University of Calgary, Kathleen Ganley also holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

In addition to receiving a number of scholarships and bursaries, Ms. Ganley was awarded the Department of Philosophy silver medallion and the University of Calgary undergraduate merit award.

Before beginning her legal career, Ms. Ganley spent a summer as a caseworker with student legal assistance and as a research assistant with RESOLVE Alberta, a research network focused on ending violence against women.

Ms. Ganley articled with the Provincial Court of Alberta from June 2011 to March 2012. She worked with a private law firm as an associate, specializing in labour, employment and human rights law.

An avid volunteer, she has donated her time to participating in a variety of community activities over the years, including providing student legal assistance, delivering patient care at the Foothills hospital, coaching swimming, counselling children's day camp and assisting with community theatre.

Ms. Ganley was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Calgary- Buffalo, on May 5, 2015. She was appointed Minister of Justice and Solicitor General and Minister of Aboriginal Relations on May 24, 2015.

THE HONOURABLE SUZANNE ANTON, Q.C.

THE HONOURABLE SUZANNE ANTON, Q.C.

MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL BRITISH COLUMBIA

Suzanne Anton received a degree in Mathematics from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of British Columbia. Before politics,
Ms. Anton was a Crown counsel and a mathematics teacher in Portugal and Nigeria.

She has experience in the leadership, management and financial operations of some of British Columbia's largest organizations. Prior to her election to the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Anton served on the Vancouver Park Board (2002-2005) and the Vancouver City Council (2005-2011). She also served on numerous community, corporate, and sports boards including Translink, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, BC Sports Hall of Fame and the BC Pavilion Corporation. She served on the 2011 Grey Cup committee and the Vancouver 125 committee.

Ms. Anton served as the Vancouver director for the Federation of Canadian municipalities, where she was the vice chair of the Committee to Increase Women’s Participation in Municipal Government and sat on the Governance Review Committee.

As a Director of Metro Vancouver, Ms. Anton was a member of the Waste Management Committee, the Land Use and Transportation Committee, and the UBC/Metro Vancouver joint committee.

Ms. Anton was elected to represent the riding of Vancouver-Fraserview in 2013 after a distinguished career at the municipal level. She was appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice on June 10, 2013.

THE HONOURABLE BRAD CATHERS

THE HONOURABLE BRAD CATHERS

MINISTER OF JUSTICE YUKON

Brad Cathers has lived in the electoral district of Lake Laberge since 1983. Prior to his first election to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in 2002, Mr. Cathers was involved in federal politics. He was the Yukon constituency President for the Reform Party of Canada/Canadian Alliance (1998-2002); a member of the Reform Party of Canada Leader’s Grassroots Advisory Committee on the United Alternative (1998-1999); and Yukon’s member on the Canadian Alliance National Council (2000-2002).

Mr. Cathers was first sworn into Cabinet in December 2005, and became the youngest Minister of Health and Government House Leader in Canada. He was re- appointed to Cabinet in October 2006 and November 2011. His experience includes service as Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, Minister of Community Services, Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation, Minister responsible for Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board, Minister responsible for Yukon Liquor Corporation and Yukon Lottery Commission, and Government House Leader.

Mr. Cather served as Government House Leader from December 2005 to August 2009, and from November 2011 to January 2015. He currently serves as Deputy Government House Leader. In January 2015, he was appointed Minister of Justice and Minister in charge of the Yukon Development Corporation and Yukon Energy Corporation.

THE HONOURABLE DAVID RAMSAY

THE HONOURABLE DAVID RAMSAY

MINISTER OF JUSTICE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

David Ramsay was born in Saint John, New Brunswick. He attended the University of New Brunswick where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History, specializing in Aboriginal Law and Self Government.

Mr. Ramsay’s prior political experience includes five years as a Yellowknife City Councillor. He also served as a Western Arctic Progressive Conservative Riding Association President (1998-2003) and was awarded the “Young Entrepreneur” of the year award by the Business Development Bank of Canada in 1996.

Mr. Ramsay was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in the November 2003 Territorial election, where he served, from 2003 to 2007, as Deputy Chair of Committee of the Whole, as member of the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development, the Board of Management and the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. He was re-elected to in October 2007 and October 2011, at which time he was sworn in as a Member of the Executive Council and appointed Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Minister of Transportation. He was elected vice president of the Pacific North West Economic Region in 2011 and president in 2014.

Mr. Ramsay was appointed Minister of Justice in October 2013.

THE HONOURABLE PAUL OKALIK

THE HONOURABLE PAUL OKALIK

MINISTER OF JUSTICE NUNAVUT

Born and raised in Pangnirtung, then Northwest Territories, Paul Okalik’s lifelong commitment to the self-determination of Inuit began with early interactions with governments. As a teenager, he went to Frobisher Bay for residential school. In the early 1980s, Mr. Okalik accepted the challenge of negotiator with the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut. He negotiated with the Government of Canada towards the historic signing in 1993 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

Mr. Okalik earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in political science and Canadian studies from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) from the University of Ottawa. He was called to the Northwest Territories Bar in February 1999, months before the creation of Nunavut.

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Okalik was elected by the consensus of the Members of the Legislative Assembly to serve as the first Premier of Nunavut and Minister of Justice. He served in these positions from 1999 to 2008. During his first term, he acted immediately to build schools in several communities.

Between 2008 and 2011, Mr. Okalik served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. In this capacity, he introduced the Order of Nunavut Act, which was the first Private Member’s Bill to be passed by the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Okalik has been an active supporter and volunteer with the Iqaluit Soup Kitchen and Habitat for Humanity. He is fluently bilingual in Inuktitut and English, and continues to work on his French proficiency.

Mr. Okalik was elected to represent the constituency of Iqaluit Sinaa in the fourth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in October 2013.

Talking Points
Courtesy Calls with the Provincial and Territorial Counterparts

     [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act. s.14, s.21(1)(a), s.21(1)(b)]     

PREPARED BY
Joe Mileto
Principal Analyst
Intergovernmental and External Relations Division

APPROVED BY
Donald K. Piragoff
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
Policy Sector

Biography of United States Attorney General Ms. Loretta Lynch and talking points

LORETTA E. LYNCH ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES

LORETTA E. LYNCH
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES

Loretta E  Lynch was nominated by President Barack Obama as the United States Attorney General in November 2014. She was confirmed in the position by the United States Senate on April 23, 2015.

Previously, Ms. Lynch served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. In so doing, she returned to the Office she previously led as United States Attorney from 1999 to 2001 under President William J. Clinton. She oversaw all federal criminal and civil investigations and cases in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, as well as Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island.

Ms. Lynch began her career in the Eastern District in 1990, after working as a litigation associate for a leading New York firm. Ms. Lynch served as Chief of the Long Island Office from 1994 to 1998, after serving as the Deputy Chief of General Crimes and as Chief of Intake and Arraignments for the district. While in the Long Island Office, she was the lead prosecutor in a series of trials involving allegations of public corruption in the Long Island town of Brookhaven.

Before returning to the office as United States Attorney in 2010, Ms. Lynch was a partner in the New York office of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. Her practice focused on commercial litigation, white collar criminal defense and corporate compliance issues. She continued her focus on legal education, serving on the board of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), and teaching a series of trial advocacy workshops for the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Ms. Lynch also served as Special Counsel to the Prosecutor of the ICTR, and conducted a special investigation into allegations of witness tampering and false testimony at the Tribunal.

Ms. Lynch received her A.B., cum laude, from Harvard College in 1981. She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1984, where she was an advisor to the first year moot court competition and a member of the Legal Aid Bureau and Harvard Black Law Students Association.

Talking Points
Call with United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch

     [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act. s.15(1)]     

PREPARED BY
Michelle Douglas
Director
International Relations

APPROVED BY
Donald K. Piragoff
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
Policy Sector

Biography Canadian Bar Association President, Janet M. Fuhrer and talking points

Janet M. Fuhrer President, Canadian Bar Association

Janet M. Fuhrer
President, Canadian Bar Association

Janet Fuhrer is a partner with the firm of Ridout & Maybee LLP in its Ottawa office. Having begun her career as an intellectual property lawyer when called to the Bar of Ontario in 1987, Ms. Fuhrer is a certified specialist by the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) in intellectual property law (trade-marks and copyright). She also was a member of and chaired the LSUC's previous Intellectual Property Law Specialist Certification Committee.

Ms. Fuhrer is a Past Chair of the CBA Professional Development Committee and a Past Chair of the National Sections Council (NSC), as well as the National Intellectual Property Law Section. During her two-year term as Chair of NSC, Janet Fuhrer served on the CBA Board of Directors, Finance Committee and National Council. Ms. Fuhrer is a Past Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA); she has served on the OBA Membership Committee and she has participated in the OBA Mentorship Program as a mentor. In her area of practice, Ms. Fuhrer is a Past President (2010-2011) of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and has held leadership positions with the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Janet is a frequent speaker and moderator at various IP conferences and meetings. In her spare time, she is an avid runner.

Talking Points
Call with Canadian Bar Association President,Janet M. Fuhrer

Caution: The Canadian Bar Association is a volunteer-based organization that takes on an advocacy role for the legal profession; in this capacity it prepares submissions to government, appears before Parliamentary committees, and intervenes in court cases.

PREPARED BY
Carole Willans
Legal Counsel
Intergovernmental and External Relations Division

APPROVED BY
Donald K. Piragoff
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
Policy Sector