Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment to the Federal Court of Appeal

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 Nicholas McHaffie, a Judge of the Federal Court, is appointed a Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal. Justice McHaffie replaces Justice R. Boivin, who resigned effective September 2, 2025.

“I wish Justice McHaffie every success as he takes on his new role. I am confident he will serve the people of Canada well as a member of the Federal Court of Appeal.”

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

Biography

Justice Nicholas McHaffie received a B.Sc. in Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto in 1990 and an LL.B. from the University of British Columbia in 1994. He clerked for the Right Honourable Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996.

Prior to his appointment to the Federal Court in 2019, Justice McHaffie spent his legal career at Stikeman Elliott LLP, practising first in Toronto and later in Ottawa after moving to the capital in 1998. His litigation practice focused on intellectual property, public law, and administrative and regulatory matters. He was recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in Canada” in Intellectual Property, Administrative and Public Law, Communications, and Corporate/Commercial Litigation. He also formerly taught Administrative Law and Civil Procedure at the University of Ottawa and Civil Trial Advocacy at Queen’s University. Justice McHaffie sat as member of the Federal Court’s specialized Intellectual Property and Competition Chambers since its creation in March 2023.

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