OTTAWA, ONTARIO - Nov. 27, 2009 - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of Mr. Justice Harry Slade of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Mr. Justice Patrick Smith of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, and Madam Justice Johanne Mainville of the Superior Court of Quebec as full-time members of the Specific Claims Tribunal.
Mr. Justice Harry Slade was first appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in April 2001. Mr. Justice Patrick Smith was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in October 2001, and Madam Justice Johanne Mainville was appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec in November 2006. These appointments to the Tribunal are effective immediately.
The Government of Canada is taking action to speed up the resolution of
specific claims to provide justice to First Nation claimants and certainty for all Canadians. Canada's
Specific Claims Action Plan has fundamentally altered the way specific claims are handled, bringing greater fairness, speed and transparency to the process. This action plan is delivering
concrete results.
The creation of the
Specific Claims Tribunal is key to this revitalized approach. The Tribunal is an independent body with the power to make binding decisions to resolve specific claims. It provides an alternative to the courts for First Nations when other options fail.
Canada and the
Assembly of First Nations jointly developed the legislation to establish the Tribunal. This legislation is called the
Specific Claims Tribunal Act. It came into force on October 16, 2008.
Internet:
www.canada.justice.gc.ca(Version francaise disponible)
For more information, please contact
Office of the Minister of Justice
Pamela Stephens
Press Secretary
613-992-4621
or
Department of Justice
Media Relations
613-957-4207
or
Office of the Hon. Chuck Strahl
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
819-997-0002
or
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Media Relations
819-953-1160
