Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment to the Federal Court of Appeal
News release
October 24, 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.
Nathalie Goyette, Partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP in Montréal, is appointed a Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal. Justice Goyette fills a new position authorized further to the Budget Implementation Act, 2022, No. 1.
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“I wish Justice Goyette every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve Canadians well as a member of the Federal Court of Appeal.”
–The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Nathalie Goyette was born in Amos, Québec, and received her pre-university education in Canada, Mexico and Jamaica. She has an LL.L. from the University of Ottawa, an LL.B from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Taxation from the University of Sherbrooke. She was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1990.
Justice Goyette practised tax litigation for 32 years, half of those as a lawyer at Justice Canada and the other half in private practice. A frequent speaker at national and international tax seminars, she has authored numerous publications, including a book on tax treaty abuse.
Justice Goyette is a past governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation. She was a member of the Rules Committee of the Tax Court of Canada for a decade and a member of that court’s Judicial Advisory Committee. She chaired the Canadian Bar Association’s Tax Court Bench & Bar Committee in addition to being a member of the Canadian Bar Association’s Section Subcommittee. Over the past few years, she enjoyed being the Quebec Branch President of the Dalhousie Law Alumni Association. She received the Order of Merit of the University of Ottawa’s Civil Law Faculty, and she has been recognized by various organizations, including Chambers and Lexpert.
Justice Goyette and her husband, Philippe Lamarre, are the proud parents of four adult children.
Quick facts
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At the Superior Court level, more than 565 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, 2SLGBTQI+, 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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