SASKATCHEWAN JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, March 2, 2007 -- The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Madam Justice Darla C. Hunter, a judge of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench, is appointed a judge of the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. She replaces Mr. Justice N.W. Sherstobitoff (Regina) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Madam Justice Darla Hunter received a Bachelor of Laws in 1977 and a Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) in 1972 from the University of Saskatchewan and a Teaching Certificate in 1967 from Regina Teachers College. Upon her admission to the Bar of Saskatchewan in 1978, she became the Director of the Queen's Bench Rules Revision Project and a lecturer at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan. From 1981 until her appointment to the Court of Queen's Bench in 1990, she practised with the law firm of MacPherson Leslie Tyerman in the Regina office litigation department. As a lawyer, Madam Justice Hunter was a Member of the Board of Inquiry for the Rafferty-Alameda Dam Project and a Member of Supreme Court of Canada Liaison Committee for the Canadian Bar Association. Since becoming a judge, Madam Justice Hunter has served on various court committees in addition to performing her judicial duties.

The Honourable Ralph K. Ottenbreit, Q.C., a partner with the law firm of Robertson Stromberg Pedersen in Regina is appointed a judge of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench. He replaces Mr. Justice J. Klebuc (Saskatoon) who became Chief Justice of Saskatchewan in September 2006.

Mr. Justice Ralph Ottenbreit received a Bachelor of Laws (with distinction) in 1975 and a Bachelor of Arts (English with distinction) in 1974 from the University of Saskatchewan and was admitted to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1976. Prior to his appointment as Queen's Counsel in 1989, Mr. Justice Ottenbreit practised with Griffin Beke & Thorson (1975-1982) and Shirkey Ulmer Ottenbreit Shirkey & McIntyre (1982-1991). His practice expertise is in the area of criminal litigation, civil litigation, and family law. Mr. Justice Ottenbreit has been active in the Saskatchewan Bar acting as a Member of the Legislative Audit Committee and as President of Canadian Bar Association (Saskatchewan Branch). He is also active in community organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the Globe Theatre and as a coach of youth sports.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Geneviève Breton
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
613-992-4621