SASKATCHEWAN JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, October 27, 2006 – The Honourable Vic Toews, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment:

The Honourable Martel Daniel Popescul, Q.C., partner with the firm of Sanderson Balicki Popescul of Prince Albert, is appointed a Judge of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan. He replaces Mr. R.D. Laing (Saskatoon) who was appointed Chief Justice of the Court as of January 1, 2006.

Mr. Justice Popescul received a Bachelor of Laws in 1979 from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) in 1976 from the University of Regina and was admitted to the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1980. He practised as a Crown Prosecutor, Saskatchewan Dep artment of Justice before moving to private practice. Mr. Popescul's practice expertise is in general practice, p articularly family law, criminal law and civil litigation and arbitration. He is a Past President and Bencher of the Law Society of Saskatchewan. Very active in the community, Mr. Justice Popescul was Chair of the Victoria Hospital Foundation and Governor of the Prince Albert Raiders Hockey Club.

This appointment is effective immediately.

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Ref.:

Mike Storeshaw
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
613-992-4621