ONTARIO, Canada — Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has announced that Jamaica-born, Michael H Tulloch, has been appointed the new Chief Justice of Ontario and President of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

The revelation was made on Monday. Chief Justice Tulloch will replace George R Strathy, who retired in August.

In appointing Tulloch to his new post, Prime Minister Trudeau dubbed the Chief Justice, a “highly respected member of Ontario and Canada’s legal community” and said that as he takes on his new role as Chief Justice of Ontario and President of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, he wishes him continued success.

“I know he brings a wealth of experience to the position and will continue to serve Ontarians well,” the PM said.

Tulloch was born in Jamaica and migrated to Canada as a child. According to literature obtained from the Canadian Prime Minister’s official website, Tulloch was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice for Ontario in 2003. He was elevated to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2012, becoming the first Black Canadian to sit on any appellate court in Canada.

Before his appointment to the bench, Chief Justice Tulloch served as an assistant Crown Attorney in Peel and Toronto from 1991 to 1995 before entering private practice, where he specialised in criminal law. He also served as a member of the Ontario Superior Court Education Committee, the National Judicial Institute, and the Commissioner’s Judicial Advisory Committee on International Engagement.

Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices in Canada are responsible for the leadership and administration of their courts. They also serve as members of the Canadian Judicial Council, which works to improve the quality of judicial services in the superior courts of Canada.

Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of Cabinet and the recommendation of the Prime Minister.