Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of Quebec

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 16, 2026 /CNW/ — The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

The Honourable Audrey Boctor, a Judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montréal, is appointed a puisne Judge of the Court of Appeal of Quebec in Montréal. Justice Boctor replaces Justice S. Sansfaçon (Montréal), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective March 3, 2026.

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“I wish Justice Boctor every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve the people of Quebec well as a member of the Court of Appeal of Quebec.”

— The Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Biography

Justice Audrey Boctor obtained her civil and common law degrees from McGill University’s Faculty of Law and her undergraduate degree from Western University. She was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 2006 and to the Barreau du Québec in 2010.

Prior to her appointment to the Superior Court of Quebec in 2024, Justice Boctor began her legal career as a law clerk to former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada. Following a period of practice and teaching in New York, she joined IMK LLP in Montreal in 2010 and became a partner in 2016. She appeared before all levels of court and argued several cases before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Justice Boctor is a former President of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA)–Québec and served on the boards of the CBA-National and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. She taught Civil Procedure at McGill and the Université de Montréal and was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. She had received numerous honours, including the CBA SAGDA (Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance) Ally Award and the Prix Jules-Deschênes, and had been recognized among Canada’s leading and most influential lawyers.

Quick facts

• Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
• The Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada play a key role in evaluating judicial applications. There are 17 Judicial Advisory Committees, with each province and territory represented.

SOURCE Department of Justice Canada