Richard Wagner (judge)


Richard Wagner, is a Canadian jurist who serves as the 18th and current Chief Justice of Canada. He was sworn into office on December 18, 2017, having previously served as a Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. He previously sat on the Quebec Court of Appeal. He is the son of former Progressive Conservative MP and Senator Claude Wagner.

Early life

Wagner was born in Montreal, the son of Gisèle and Claude Wagner. He studied at the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montreal before receiving his Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science from the University of Ottawa in 1978. He received his LL.L. from the same institution in 1979.

Career

Wagner was called to the Quebec Bar in 1980, and began practice at the Montreal law firm Lavery, de Billy. His practice centred on real estate, commercial litigation and professional liability insurance.
He was appointed to the Quebec Superior Court for the District of Montreal on September 24, 2004. On February 3, 2011, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal of Quebec.
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 Justice Wagner's appointment, in the Supreme Court of Canada courtroom. The event was attended by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and Quebec Deputy Minister of Justice Nathalie G. Drouin. Each justice spoke with Justice Wagner speaking last.
On December 12, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated Wagner as Beverly McLachlin's successor as Chief Justice of Canada.

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. He has two children who are also lawyers.