Richard Wagner (judge)

Richard Wagner, PC (born April 2, 1957) is a Canadian jurist who serves as the 18th and current Chief Justice of Canada. He was sworn into office on December 18, 2017, having previously served as a Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. He previously sat on the Quebec Court of Appeal.[2] He is the son of former Progressive Conservative MP and Senator Claude Wagner.

The Right Honourable Richard Wagner PC
18th Chief Justice of Canada
Incumbent
Assumed office December 18, 2017
Nominated by	Justin Trudeau
Appointed by	Julie Payette
Preceded by	Beverley McLachlin
Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
In office October 5, 2012 – December 18, 2017
Nominated by	Stephen Harper
Appointed by	David Johnston
Preceded by	Marie Deschamps
Succeeded by	Sheilah Martin
Puisne Justice of the Quebec Court of Appeal
In office February 3, 2011 – October 5, 2012
Nominated by	Stephen Harper
Appointed by	David Johnston
Preceded by	Lise Côté
Succeeded by	Dominique Bélanger
Personal details
Born	(1957-04-02) April 2, 1957 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Children	2[1]
Alma mater	University of Ottawa, B.A, LL.L

Early life

Wagner was born in Montreal, the son of Gisèle (née Normandeau) and Claude Wagner.[2] He studied at the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montreal before receiving his Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science from the University of Ottawa in 1978. He received his LL.L. from the same institution in 1979.[2]

Career

Wagner was called to the Quebec Bar in 1980, and began practice at the Montreal law firm Lavery, de Billy (formerly Lavery, O'Brien and Lavery, Johnston, Clark, Carrière, Mason & Associés). His practice centred on real estate, commercial litigation and professional liability insurance.[2]

He was appointed to the Quebec Superior Court for the District of Montreal on September 24, 2004. On February 3, 2011, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal of Quebec.

On October 2, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper nominated him to the Supreme Court of Canada to replace retiring Justice Marie Deschamps.[3] His appointment was confirmed on October 5, 2012.[4]

On December 3, 2012, a ceremony was held for Justice Wagner's appointment, in the Supreme Court of Canada courtroom. The event was attended by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and Quebec Deputy Minister of Justice Nathalie G. Drouin. Each justice spoke with Justice Wagner speaking last.[5]

On December 12, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated Wagner as Beverly McLachlin's successor as Chief Justice of Canada.[6][7]

Personal life

Wagner is a Roman Catholic.[8] Wagner's father Claude was also a jurist. His grandfather was a German Jewish immigrant originally from Bavaria. He has two children who are also lawyers.[1]

See also

• Reasons of the Supreme Court of Canada by Justice Wagner

References

1. MacCharles, Tonda (December 12, 2017). "Justin Trudeau names Richard Wagner new Chief Justice of Canada". Toronto Star.
2. Quebec Court of Appeal. The Honourable Richard Wagner. Retrieved 2 October 2012. Archived 17 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
3. CBC News (2 October 2012). "Quebec judge Richard Wagner nominated to Supreme Court". Retrieved 2 October 2012.
4. The Canadian Press. "CBC News - MP questions 'introduce' Supreme Court nominee Wagner Montreal judge is Conservative government's 5th appointment". CBC News. CBC News. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
5. "Supreme Court welcomes Justice Wagner to bench". CBC.ca. 2012-12-03. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
6. "Prime Minister names the Honourable Richard Wagner as new Chief Justice of Canada". pm.gc.ca (Press release). PMO. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
7. "News Releases - SCC Cases (Lexum)". scc-csc.lexum.com (Press release). December 12, 2017.
8. "Richard Wagner". Canadian Who's Who 2014-2015. Toronto: Third Sector Publishing, 2015.

Order of precedence
Preceded by Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister	Order of Precedence of Canada as Chief Justice	Succeeded by Edward Schreyer as Former Governor General