(Ottawa) Justice Michael Moldaver plans to leave the Supreme Court of Canada on 1er September, a few months before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Posted yesterday at 7:16 p.m.
Chief Justice Richard Wagner says Mr. Moldaver has made outstanding contributions to Canadian jurisprudence, particularly in the area of criminal law.
He has left his mark on many notable cases before the court, on issues ranging from search warrants to jury selection.
Mr. Moldaver, a native of Peterborough, Ontario, began practicing criminal law in 1973 and began his judicial career as an Ontario judge in 1990.
He was elevated to the Ontario Court of Appeal in 1995, before becoming a member of the Supreme Court in October 2011.
Moldaver’s departure could give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau another opportunity to appoint a judge to the highest court, which now includes four people he has appointed.
A judge of the Supreme Court may continue to participate in the judgments, concerning the cases he has heard, until six months after the date of his retirement.
“It has been an honor for me to serve on the highest court in the land for almost 11 years,” Moldaver said in a statement.
He praised the two Chief Justices under whom he served, Richard Wagner and Beverley McLachlin, calling them people of honor and integrity, courage and vision.
Mr. Moldaver said they share a passion for justice and a strong commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting the independence of the judiciary and preserving an unparalleled justice system for all. Canadians.
“For all these reasons, and for many more, they are entitled to our immense gratitude,” he added.
Canadians have benefited from Mr. Moldaver’s humanity and his unwavering determination to make decisions that are fair and just, said Mr. Wagner.
“His colleagues and I have benefited from his wisdom, his warm collegiality and his quick wit. We wish him a very happy retirement,” he wrote.