Half of Ontario’s new judges assigned to northern regions

The Ontario Courthouse at 361 University Avenue in Toronto is photographed on May 2, 2022. (Christopher Katsarov/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The Ontario government has appointed 10 new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, with half assigned to northern regions in an effort to bolster judicial resources in underserved areas. The appointments take effect June 16.

Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas announced the assignments, which will send five judges to northern Ontario – Dryden, Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, and Kenora – while the remaining five will serve in southern jurisdictions, including Toronto, Brampton, Halton, and Newmarket.

Northern appointees bring diverse expertise

Justice Ghina Al-Sewaidi, assigned to Dryden, brings over three decades of legal experience, including work in immigration, family, and criminal law. Called to the Ontario bar in 1993, she has practiced at all levels of court, from the Ontario Court of Justice to the Court of Appeal. She has also held leadership roles at Legal Aid Ontario, including managing the Family Law Service Centre and acting as director of the Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, office. A community advocate, she has provided pro bono services to Arabic-speaking newcomers and serves on the Toronto Lawyers Association board. She holds law degrees from the University of Buckingham and the University of Ottawa, with postgraduate studies in petroleum law.

Justice Christian Andrew Vanderhooft, heading to Kenora, brings extensive prosecution experience from Manitoba, where he handled high-profile gang and firearms cases. Called to the bar in 2000, he has argued before the Supreme Court of Canada and worked in remote fly-in court locations. He has also volunteered with soccer organizations and charities like CancerCare Manitoba and Special Olympics.

Justice Sean Ellacott, assigned to Sioux Lookout, has practiced law since 2002, handling dangerous offender hearings, Federal Court judicial reviews, and appeals at multiple levels. He founded Ellacott Law Office in Kingston and has taught at Queen’s University Faculty of Law. His volunteer work includes Legal Aid Ontario’s Prison Law Advisory Committee and community initiatives like the Kevin Dunbar Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Justice Emily Suzanne Beaton will serve in Thunder Bay after a career spanning criminal defence and Crown prosecution. Called to the bar in 2010, she spent three years as an associate at John Rosen and Associates before joining the Peel Crown Attorney’s Office, where she specialized in mental health prosecutions and diversion programs. She has also worked with the Peel Children’s Aid Society on complex child abuse cases and served as vice chair of a legal clinic aiding low-income residents. A graduate of Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law, she is also a recreational hockey coach.

Justice Joelle Malette, also assigned to Thunder Bay, specializes in dispute resolution and civil litigation, including motor vehicle accidents and institutional sexual assault cases. Called to the bar in 2005, she later founded her own bilingual mediation firm and teaches at the University of Ottawa. A Law Society of Ontario bencher, she has adjudicated for multiple tribunals and previously led the Artemis Youth Centre in Timmins.

Southern assignments

The remaining five judges will serve in southern Ontario, with:

• Justice Trehearne and Justice DiMuzio are both heading to Toronto,
• Justice Robichaud will serve in Brampton,
• Justice Maund has been assigned to Halton, and
• Justice Elias will head to Newmarket.

The appointments aim to address caseload demands across the province, with a particular focus on improving access to justice in northern communities.