Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of Québec
News release
March 28, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
Marie-Hélène Dubé, Senior Partner at Goldwater, Dubé in Montréal, is appointed a puisne Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal. Justice Dubé replaces Justice J. Mainville (Montréal), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective November 21, 2021.
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“I wish Justice Dubé every success in her new role. I know she will serve the people of Québec well as a member of the Superior Court.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Marie-Hélène Dubé graduated from the Université de Montréal and was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1991.
Justice Dubé began her career with the firm Goldwater, Dubé, where she gained a great deal of experience in family and civil litigation, including cases involving constitutional law, which led to frequent appearances before the Superior Court of Quebec and the Quebec Court of Appeal and, on two occasions, before the Supreme Court of Canada. She also practised as a mediator in family law matters. She has been actively involved with the Bar of Quebec, where she was part of a group of experts in family law, and in with the Bar of Montreal as a member of the committee on ethno-cultural diversity.
Justice Dubé’s commitment to the legal community has also been evident in her many efforts in mentoring and training young lawyers. In this capacity, she recently collaborated with the École du Barreau du Québec to develop training on the right to equality in legal practice, as well as with the Quebec section of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. Justice Dubé has also presented at conferences and written various articles, notably as co-author of the section on the maintenance obligations of former spouses in the publication JurisClasseur - Personnes et Famille. In the course of her career, she has provided pro bono legal services to improve access to justice in the context of matters of public interest.
Justice Dubé is fluent in French, English, and Haitian Creole. She raised her three children in a Montreal neighbourhood known for its great social mix.
Quick facts
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At the Superior Court level, more than 515 judges have been appointed since November 2015. These exceptional jurists represent the diversity that strengthens Canada. Of these judges, more than half are women, and appointments reflect an increased representation of visible minorities, Indigenous, LGBTQ2+, and those who self-identify as having a disability.
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The Government of Canada is committed to promoting access to justice for all Canadians. To improve outcomes for Canadian families, Budget 2018 provides funding of $77.2 million over four years to support the expansion of unified family courts, beginning in 2019-2020. This investment in the family justice system will create 39 new judicial positions in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
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The Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada play a key role in evaluating judicial applications. There are 17 Judicial Advisory Committees, with each province and territory represented.
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Significant reforms to the role and structure of the Judicial Advisory Committees, aimed at enhancing the independence and transparency of the process, were announced on October 20, 2016.
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The Government of Canada is committed to promoting a justice system in which sexual assault matters are decided fairly, without the influence of myths and stereotypes, and in which survivors are treated with dignity and compassion. Changes to the Judges Act and Criminal Code that came into force on May 6, 2021, mean that in order to be eligible for appointment to a provincial superior court, candidates must agree to participate in continuing education on matters related to sexual assault law and social context, which includes systemic racism and systemic discrimination. The new legislation enhances the transparency of decisions by amending the Criminal Code to require that judges provide written reasons, or enter them into the record, when deciding sexual assault matters.
Contacts
For more information, media may contact:
Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-6568
Chantalle.Aubertin@justice.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca
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