Mr. Speaker, on December 15, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Canada's longest-serving chief justice, and the first woman to lead the court, will officially retire from the Supreme Court of Canada.
Originally from Pincher Creek, Alberta, she studied philosophy and law at the University of Alberta.
She practised law in Alberta and British Columbia before joining the faculty of law at UBC in 1974.
Her 36-year judicial career started in 1981 when she was first appointed to the Vancouver County Court.
From the B.C. Supreme Court to the Court of Appeal, she was appointed by Brian Mulroney as Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada on March 30, 1989, and was made Chief Justice of Canada on January 7, 2000, by Jean Chrétien.
After 28 years on the bench of the highest court in the land, including 17 years as Chief Justice, Beverley McLachlin is hanging up her robes.
A truly outstanding jurist, she has been a real leader for the court and our country, and a great Canadian judicial ambassador abroad.
We will remember her sense of humour and her joie de vivre as she enjoys true moments of happiness when cooking for her family and friends, using fresh vegetables—