Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of Nova Scotia
News release
November 1, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable Arif Virani, 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.
The Honourable Jillian Barrington, a Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia in Sydney, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division) in Halifax. Justice Barrington replaces Justice L.R. Jesudason (Halifax), who was appointed Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division) on February 15, 2024.
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“I wish Justice Barrington every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve the people of Nova Scotia well as a member of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia”
—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Jillian Barrington was raised in Cape Breton. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from Mount Allison University and a Bachelor of Laws from Schulich School of Law in 2010. She was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2011.
Justice Barrington was appointed to the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia in 2023. Prior to her appointment to the Bench, she practised at Sheldon Nathanson Law where she started her legal career. Her areas of practice included criminal, family, employment and property law, and wills and estates.
Justice Barrington has contributed to the legal profession by serving on Bar Council with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society for six years. She was a member of the Society’s Credentials Committee, the Small and Solo Firm Working Group, the Family Standards Committee, the Rural Practice Working Group, and the Society’s Complaints Investigation Committee. She was also heavily involved with the Cape Breton Barristers’ Society serving on the Education Committee since the start of her career. She has volunteered on various boards and community organizations. She was a Board member and then Board President with the local Elizabeth Fry Society, the National President of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, and a past Board Member of Cape Breton Transition House.
Justice Barrington is very grateful for the love and ongoing support of her husband, her parents and sister, and close family and friends.
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada has appointed more than 795 judges since November 2015. This includes 169 appointments since the Honourable Arif Virani became Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada on July 26, 2023, a pace of appointments that has no precedent in Canadian history. These exceptional jurists represent the diversity that strengthens Canada. Of these judges, more than half are women, and appointments reflect an increased representation of racialized persons, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, and those who self-identify as having a disability.
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To support the needs of the courts and improve access to justice for all Canadians, the Government of Canada is committed to increasing the capacity of superior courts. Budget 2022 provided for 22 new judicial positions, along with two associate judges at the Tax Court of Canada. Along with the 13 positions created under Budget 2021, this makes a total of 37 newly created superior court positions. Since Budget 2017, the government has funded 116 new judicial positions.
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Changes to the Questionnaire for Federal Judicial Appointments were announced in September 2022. The questionnaire continues to provide for a robust and thorough assessment of candidates but has been streamlined and updated to incorporate, among other things, more respectful and inclusive language for individuals to self-identify diversity characteristics.
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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
Deputy Director, Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General
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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