Richard Wagner (judge)

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His Excellency the Right Honourable
Richard Wagner
PC
The Right Honourable Richard Wagner
Wagner in 2012
Administrator of the Government of Canada
Assumed office
January 23, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Preceded by Julie Payette
as Governor General
Succeeded by Mary Simon (designate)
18th Chief Justice of Canada
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 (age 66)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Spouse(s) Catherine Mandeville
Children 2[1]
Alma mater Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf
University of Ottawa (BSocSc, LLL)

Richard Wagner PC (French pronunciation: ​[vɑɡnɛːʁ] VAHG-nair;[2] born April 2, 1957) is a Canadian jurist serving as the 18th and current Chief Justice of Canada since 2017. He previously served as a Puisne Justice of the Quebec Court of Appeal (2011–2012) and of the Supreme Court of Canada (2012–2017). On January 23, 2021, Wagner assumed the role of Administrator of the Government of Canada, following a workplace review of Rideau Hall and the resignation of Julie Payette as Governor General of Canada. He will serve as Administrator until the appointment of a new Governor General by Queen Elizabeth II.[3][4]

Early life

Wagner was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Gisèle (née Normandeau) and Claude Wagner, a former member of Parliament and senator.[5] He studied at the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montreal before receiving his bachelor of social science in political science from the University of Ottawa in 1978. He received his LL.L. from the same institution in 1979.[5]

Career

In 1980, Wagner was called to the Quebec Bar, 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.[5]

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.

Supreme Court of Canada

On October 2, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper nominated him to the Supreme Court of Canada to replace retiring Justice Marie Deschamps.[6] His appointment was confirmed on October 5, 2012.[7]

On December 3, 2012, a ceremony was held for Wagner's appointment in the Supreme Court of Canada courtroom. The event was attended by outgoing chief justice Beverley McLachlin, the federal minister of justice and attorney general, Rob Nicholson and the Quebec deputy minister of justice, Nathalie G. Drouin.[8]

On December 12, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated Wagner as Beverly McLachlin's successor as chief justice of Canada.[9][10]

On January 23, 2021, Wagner became Administrator of the Government of Canada following the resignation of Governor General Julie Payette in response to a workplace harassment investigation. The chief justice of Canada is the deputy governor general, and can act as governor general when the office is vacant.[11][4]

Personal life

Wagner is a Roman Catholic.[12] Wagner's father Claude was also a jurist. His grandfather was a German Jewish immigrant originally from Bavaria. Wagner has two children who are also lawyers.[1]

Honours

Scholastic

Honorary degrees
Location Date School Degree Gave Commencement Address
 Ontario June 19, 2019 University of Ottawa Doctorate Yes [13]


Memberships and fellowships

Country Date Organization Position
 United States American College of Trial Lawyers Honorary Fellow [14]


See also

References

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  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Quebec Court of Appeal. The Honourable Richard Wagner. Retrieved October 2, 2012. Archived May 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  6. CBC News (October 2, 2012). "Quebec judge Richard Wagner nominated to Supreme Court" Archived October 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
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  12. "Richard Wagner". Canadian Who's Who 2014-2015. Toronto: Third Sector Publishing, 2015.
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Order of precedence
Preceded by as Former Governor General Order of Precedence of Canada
as Chief Justice
Succeeded by
Justin Trudeau
as Prime Minister
Preceded by as Prime Minister Order of Precedence of Canada
as Administrator
Succeeded by
Elizabeth II
as Queen