Former Supreme Court of Canada judge Louis LeBel died Thursday in Quebec. He was 83 years old.
Louis LeBel sat as a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada from 2000 to 2014. The recipient of numerous distinctions during his 60 years of legal practice, Louis LeBel notably received the prestigious medal of the Barreau du Québec in 2000. The jurist also played a central role in the implementation of the new Civil Code of Quebec.
Louis LeBel was the husband of Louise Poudrier, lawyer and former full professor at the Faculty of Law of Laval University. He also leaves to mourn his three children, Paul, Catherine and François, as well as his many grandchildren.
Louis LeBel was a “great jurist” who leaves behind him an “invaluable contribution to the profession”, commented the president of Quebec, Ms.e Catherine Claveau. “In particular, he contributed to ensuring that justice takes into account the Aboriginal reality when determining sentences, a key issue,” she added.
The bereaved legal community
The death of Louis LeBel has aroused many reactions in the legal world.
“Judges and staff are saddened by the passing of Justice LeBel, a man of exemplary wisdom and collegiality,” Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner said in a statement. He described Louis LeBel as “a kind and empathetic man towards his colleagues and staff”, who “leaves a legal legacy of eloquently written decisions”.
Anne-Marie Laflamme, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Laval University, said she was deeply saddened to learn of the death of an “exceptional jurist who made a remarkable contribution to the advancement of law and case law in the country.
The former judge specialized in labor law, but “his knowledge of the law was encyclopaedic,” said Ms.e Jean-François Gagnon, CEO of the firm Langlois, where Louis LeBel worked as counsel after his retirement from the Supreme Court. “He was infinitely respected,” continued M.e Gagnon, underlining in passing the “tremendous modesty” of the former judge.
“His contribution to the legal profession and community is invaluable and he left an important mark,” added Ms.e Catherine Claveau.
An imposing course
The son of a lawyer, Louis LeBel was steeped in law from childhood. He studied at Laval University and the University of Toronto. During his studies, he was the recipient of the Governor General’s Medal, the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal and the Tessier Silver Medal.
He first practiced law in law firms in Quebec, while being involved in various committees, such as the editorial board of the Bar Reviewwhich he chaired from 1979 to 1982.
In 1982, Louis LeBel was appointed Vice-President of the Barreau du Québec, then Bâtonnier du Québec in 1983. He then sat as a judge of the Court of Appeal of Québec from 1984 to 2000.
Louis LeBel received an honorary doctorate in law from Laval University in 2001, and another from the University of Ottawa in 2010. He also taught as a visiting professor at these two universities.
A prolific author, the jurist has authored a variety of legal studies and articles. He also co-wrote with M.e Robert-P. Gagnon and Professor Pierre Verge the work entitled The labor law in force in Quebecec, published by Presses de l’Université Laval.
After leaving the Supreme Court, Louis LeBel continued to practice law, notably as a guest judge at Université Laval. He only retired last March.
Louis LeBel was also made an honorary member of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2004 and a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2017.