Chief Justice announces appointment of Executive Director and General Counsel of the Canadian Judicial Council

Ottawa, January 23, 2004 - The Chairperson of the Canadian Judicial Council, the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, announced today the appointment of Mr. Norman Sabourin to the position of Executive Director and General Counsel of the Canadian Judicial Council, effective February 1, 2004. Mr. Sabourin is currently Executive Director and Senior Counsel of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police External Review Committee, and comes to the Canadian Judicial Council with a wealth of experience within the Canadian public service, and in administrative and public law. The appointment of Mr. Sabourin is the first step in the restructuring of the Secretariat of the Canadian Judicial Council, which was one of the recommendations of the 2002 Report of the Special Committee on Future Directions. Chief Justice McLachlin said that "The Canadian Judicial Council is very enthusiastic about the nomination of Mr. Sabourin. We are convinced that he will help us move forward in our efforts to expand the activities of the Council, and to fully realize the Council's mandate to uphold a judiciary which makes all Canadians proud". Chief Justice McLachlin added that "The Canadian Judicial Council owes an extraordinary debt to Ms. Jeannie Thomas, who will retire in a few months, after more than 18 years of tireless service as Executive Director. Her unfailing dedication to the sound and efficient administration of justice has helped the Council to be responsive to the needs of Canadians throughout these years."

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Daniel Jutras
Executive Legal Officer of the Supreme Court of Canada
(613) 996-9296