Richard Wagner (judge)

Early life and education

Wagner was born in Montreal, Quebec, to a French Canadian Catholic family as the son of Gisèle (née Normandeau) and Claude Wagner, a former member of Parliament and senator. He studied at the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montreal before receiving a bachelor of social science degree in political science from the University of Ottawa in 1978. He received his licentiate in law (LLL) – a Quebec Civil Law equivalent of the Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) – from the same institution in 1979.

Career

Private practice and early judicial career

In 1980, Wagner was called to the Quebec Bar, and began practice at the Montreal law firm Lavery, de Billy (formerly Lavery, O'Brien and Lavery, Johnston, Clark, Carrière, Mason & Associés). His practice centred on real estate, commercial litigation and professional liability insurance.

He was appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montreal on September 24, 2004. On February 3, 2011, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal of Quebec.

Supreme Court of Canada

On October 2, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper nominated him to the Supreme Court of Canada to replace retiring Justice Marie Deschamps. His appointment was confirmed on October 5, 2012.

On December 3, 2012, a ceremony was held for Wagner's appointment in the Supreme Court of Canada courtroom. The event was attended by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, the federal minister of justice and attorney general, Rob Nicholson, and the Quebec deputy minister of justice, Nathalie G. Drouin.

On December 12, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Wagner as Beverly McLachlin's successor as chief justice of Canada.

In 2023, Wagner was criticized for his handling of the complaint against puisne judge Russell Brown, which led to the latter's resignation. Brown's lawyer cast doubt on Wagner's assertion that Brown had agreed to step aside from the Court during the investigation.

In 2024, Wagner was criticized by lawyers for having a bust of himself exhibited inside the Supreme Court building. The court refused to disclose the identity of the person who paid for the bust, which raised concerns about the court's transparency. Some also said that it was improper for a sitting judge to have a bust of himself exhibited publicly.

Wagner was also criticized for excessive foreign travel as chief justice, as well as overstepping the court's constitutional role.

Administrator of Canada

On January 23, 2021, Wagner became Administrator of the Government of Canada following Governor General Julie Payette's resignation in response to a workplace harassment investigation. By virtue of the Letters Patent, 1947, the chief justice of Canada is the ex officio principal deputy to the governor general, and may act as governor general when the office is vacant. Only justices of the Supreme Court of Canada are authorized to perform federal viceregal duties on an acting basis. He ceased to hold office as administrator on July 26, 2021, following Mary Simon's appointment as governor general. Serving for six months, Wagner was the longest-serving administrator of Canada in history.

Personal life

Wagner is a Roman Catholic. Wagner's father Claude was also a jurist. His grandfather was a German Jewish immigrant originally from Bavaria. Wagner has two children who are also lawyers.

Honours

Coat of arms

Scholastic

;Honorary degrees

Memberships and fellowships

References

References

1. (Dec 19, 2017). "Richard Wagner sworn in as Supreme Court chief justice". [[The Canadian Press]].
2. Quebec Court of Appeal. [http://www.tribunaux.qc.ca/c-appel/Apropos/Juges/Biographies/WagnerR.html The Honourable Richard Wagner]. Retrieved October 2, 2012. {{webarchive. link. (May 17, 2014)
3. [[CBC News]] (October 2, 2012). [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/quebec-judge-richard-wagner-nominated-to-supreme-court-1.1139476 "Quebec judge Richard Wagner nominated to Supreme Court"] . Retrieved October 2, 2012.
4. The Canadian Press. "CBC News - MP questions 'introduce' Supreme Court nominee Wagner Montreal judge is Conservative government's 5th appointment". CBC News.
5. (December 3, 2012). "Supreme Court welcomes Justice Wagner to bench". [[CBC.ca]].
6. (December 12, 2017). "Prime Minister names the Honourable Richard Wagner as new Chief Justice of Canada". [[Office of the Prime Minister (Canada).
7. (December 12, 2017). "News Releases - SCC Cases (Lexum)".
8. Nardi, Christopher. (June 15, 2023). "Lawyer appears to cast doubt on statement by Canada's chief justice about Russell Brown's resignation". National Post.
9. Nardi, Christopher. (July 17, 2024). "Supreme Court won't disclose mysterious donor behind expensive gift for chief justice". [[National Post]].
10. Selley, Chris. (April 27, 2024). "Chris Selley: Canada's Supreme Court justices gone wild". National Post.
11. Burke, Ashley. (January 21, 2021). "Payette stepping down as governor general after blistering report on Rideau Hall work environment". [[CBC News]].
12. Platt, Brian. (January 25, 2021). "For clarity's sake, I asked PCO to confirm Payette is fully and completely out of the role and that CJ Richard Wagner has been sworn in as administrator. PCO confirms that's the case, says Wagner was sworn in on Saturday, Jan. 23. https://t.co/hZW2cv66b4".
13. Graham Slaughter. (January 21, 2021). "Canada's top judge is now Governor General, but expert urges speedy replacement". CTVNEWS.
14. John Paul Tasker, [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/chief-justice-still-acting-gg-six-months-later-1.6069344 "Six months after former GG Payette's resignation, chief justice still juggling two jobs"], ''CBC News'', June 17, 2021.
15. "Richard Wagner". ''Canadian Who's Who 2014-2015''. Toronto: Third Sector Publishing, 2015.
16. MacCharles, Tonda. (December 12, 2017). "Justin Trudeau names Richard Wagner new Chief Justice of Canada". [[Toronto Star]].
17. "Richard Wagner".
18. "WAGNER, Richard".
19. "Honorary Fellows".
20. (January 2001). "The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada".