50th Anniversary
Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court
On June 1, 1971, at 10 am EST, the first sitting of the Federal Court of Canada began.
This first hearing was jointly presided by Chief Justice Wilbur Jackett and Associate Chief Justice Camilien Noël. Upon its creation, the Federal Court of Canada was established with two divisions — Trial and Appeal. In 2003, the two divisions formally split into two separate courts: the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.
Fifty years later, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court are commemorating the foundation of the first Canadian bilingual, bijural and itinerant court.
The 50th Anniversary Logo
To commemorate this important event, a unique logo was created:
The two arcs represent the national, bilingual and bijural Courts. The interruption within the lines represents their accessibility. Finally, the logo points ahead, looking to the future.
Speeches
June 1, 2021 — Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court (Official Ceremony)
October 1, 2021 — Launch of the Federal Courts’ 50th Anniversary Book
June 27, 2022 – Opening Ceremony for the Federal Court of Appeal and Federal Court 50th Anniversary Symposium
News
- “A Fitting Tribute” to the 50 Years of the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court (September 23, 2021)
- Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Federal Court (July 30, 2021)
- Federal Court of Appeal and Federal Court 50th Anniversary Symposium (June 27-29, 2022)
For information about the 50th Anniversary events, please contact: media-fct@fct-cf.gc.ca.
50th Anniversary Book
The Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court: 50 Years of History
Editors: Martine Valois, Ian Greene, Craig Forcese and Peter McCormick
The Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court are unique among Canada’s courts because they are itinerant — they hear cases in all parts of the country — as well as being bilingual and bijural. This book was prepared for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Federal Courts in 2021.
The authors present a brief history of these courts and their predecessor — the Exchequer Court of Canada — and an overview of the Courts’ jurisdiction, decision-making trends, and unique attributes. There are chapters on each of the Courts’ specialties — administrative law, immigration and refugee law, intellectual property, security and intelligence, Indigenous issues, the environment, admiralty, labour and human rights, and tax. Chief Justice Noël and Chief Justice Crampton each contribute a chapter. The preface is by Justice Frank Iacobucci and the epilogue by Justice Robert Décary.
Eminent scholars Martine Valois, Ian Greene, Craig Forcese and Peter McCormick, who co-authored the book, were granted full academic freedom for the subjects of their research and chapters. They chose to include chapters on the jurisdiction of each of the two courts and also examined the courts’ roles in the Canadian judicial system, the rules pertaining to their administration and their bijural and bilingual nature. They also sought the participation of other academics who wrote their own respective chapter.
In the preface, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci writes:
I wish to commend and congratulate the authors and editors for the superb commentaries they have written; taken together, they represent collective scholarship of high calibre and as such are a fitting tribute to the celebration of the last fifty years of the Federal Court.
The book is available in English or in French.
English version by Irwin Law Inc.
French version by Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal.
Events
Federal Court of Appeal and Federal Court 50th Anniversary Symposium

June 27-29, 2022
Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa
Symposium on 50th Anniversary of the Federal Courts - Day 1
Symposium on 50th Anniversary of the Federal Courts - Day 2
Symposium on 50th Anniversary of the Federal Courts - Day 3
- The Honourable Justice Simon Noël, Federal Court, Chair
- The Honourable Justice Richard Boivin, Federal Court of Appeal
- The Honourable Justice René LeBlanc, Federal Court of Appeal
- The Honourable Justice Donald J. Rennie, Federal Court of Appeal
- The Honourable Justice James O'Reilly, Federal Court
- Me Christine Norrena , Federal Court of Appeal
- Me Chantal Proulx, Federal Court
- Me Terry Hancock, Counsel, National Judicial Institute
Monday, June 27, 2022
Opening Ceremony
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
The Honourable Marc Noël, Chief Justice
Federal Court of Appeal
The Honourable Paul Crampton, Chief Justice
Federal Court
A look into the past
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Moderators
The Honourable Marc Noël, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal
The Honourable Paul Crampton, Chief Justice of the Federal Court
Speakers
The Honourable John Maxwell Evans
Public Law, Counsel, Goldblatt Partners LLP
Retired Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal
Former Justice of the Federal Court
The Honourable Donna C. McGillis
Retired Justice of the Federal Court
The Honourable Marc Nadon
Retired Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal
Former Justice of the Federal Court
The Honourable Marshall E. Rothstein
Tax Litigation, Partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Retired Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal
Former Justice of the Federal Court
The Honourable Judith A. Snider
Retired Justice of the Federal Court
Health Break
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
The History of the Federal Courts and the Experiences of Lawyers with the Courts
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Moderator
The Honourable Justice Marianne Rivoalen
Federal Court of Appeal
Panelists
Mr. Ronald Edward Dimock
R E Dimock Professional Corporation
Ms. Danièle Dion
Brisset Bishop
Professor Emeritus Ian Greene
York University
Mr. Daniel Latulippe
General Counsel, Department of Justice
Mr. Lorne Waldman
Waldman & Associates
Lunch Keynote:
The Federal Courts – A View from the Outside
Break
12:00 - 13:30 PM
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Introduction
The Honourable John D. Richard
Retired Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal
Former Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Canada
Keynote Speaker
Mr. Richard W. Pound Q.C.,
Counsel, Stikeman Elliott LLP
Closing Remarks
The Honourable Justice Martine St-Louis
Federal Court
The Bilingual and Bijural Federal Courts
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Moderator
The Honourable Justice René LeBlanc
Federal Court of Appeal
Former Justice of the Federal Court
Speakers
Mr. Bernard Letarte
Department of Justice
Mr. Mark Power
Partner, Juristes Power Law
Professor Martine Valois
University of Montréal, Faculty of Law
Health Break
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Federal Courts and Administrative Law
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Moderator
The Honourable Justice John B. Laskin
Federal Court of Appeal
Speakers
The Honourable Justice Marie-France Bich
Court of Appeal of Québec
The Honourable Justice Alexander Pless
Superior Court of Québec
Professor Paul Daly
University Research Chair in Administrative Law and Governance
University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law
4:45 PM
Wrap Up
The Honourable Justice René Leblanc
Reception and Dinner
Keynote: Civil Law in a European Law Context
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Introduction
Associate Judge Alexandra Steele
Federal Court
Keynote Speaker
First President Chantal Arens
Cour de cassation, France
Closing Remarks
The Honourable Pierre Blais
Retired Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal
Former Justice of the Federal Court
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
8:55 AM - 9:00 AM
Opening Remarks
The Honourable Justice Richard Boivin
Federal Court of Appeal
Former Justice of the Federal Court
International Panel – The National Courts in a Changing World
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Moderator
The Honourable Justice Richard Boivin
Speakers
The Right Honourable Richard Wagner P.C., Chief Justice of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Rt Hon The Lord Reed of Allermuir
President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
First President Chantal Arens
Cour de cassation, France
Health Break
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Environmental Law
10:45 AM - 11:50 PM
Moderator
The Honourable Justice Anne L. Mactavish
Federal Court of Appeal
Former Justice of the Federal Court
Panelists
The Honourable Justice Jan Brongers
Supreme Court of British Columbia
The Honourable Justice Sébastien Grammond
Federal Court
Associate Professor Jocelyn Stacey
Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia
Lunch Keynote:
Who defends the judiciary when it is under attack?
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Introduction
The Honourable Justice James O'Reilly
Federal Court
Keynote Speaker
The Rt Hon The Lord Reed of Allermuir
President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Closing Remarks
The Honourable Frank Iacobucci
Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Former Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Canada
Honorary Member, Board of Governors, Torys LLP
Indigenous Peoples and the Federal Courts
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Health Break Included
Moderator
The Honourable Justice Paul Favel
Federal Court
Speakers
Senator Michèle Audette
Senate of Canada
Associate Professor Aimée Craft
University of Ottawa – Faculty of Law – Common Law Section
Ottawa, ON
The Honourable Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin
Retired Justice of the Federal Court
Counsel
Witten LLP
Mr. David Nahwegahbow
Founding member and former President of the Indigenous Bar Association (IBA)
Nahwegahbow, Corbiere – Barristers & Solicitors
Professor Dwight Newman
Professor of Law and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Rights in Constitutional and International Law
University of Saskatchewan
Mr. Ronald Stevenson
Juristes Power Law
4:00
Wrap Up
The Honourable Justice Simon Noël
Federal Court
Reception and Gala Evening with Keynote Address:
Celebrating the Federal Court of Appeal and Federal Court
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Host
The Honourable Jocelyne Gagné, Associate Chief Justice
Federal Court
Introduction
The Honourable Marc Noël, Chief Justice
Federal Court of Appeal
Keynote Speaker
The Right Honourable Richard Wagner P.C., Chief Justice of Canada
Closing Remarks
The Honourable Paul Crampton, Chief Justice
Federal Court
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Opening Remarks
The Honourable Justice Simon Noël
Federal Court
The Federal Courts' Jurisdiction and Their Role
9:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Moderator
Associate Judge Mireille A. Tabib
Federal Court
Speakers
The Honourable Luc Martineau
Retired Justice of the Federal Court
Mark Mancini
Doctoral Candidate
Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia
Professor Emeritus Peter McCormick
University of Lethbridge
Mr. Guy J. Pratte
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
The Honourable Justice David W. Stratas
Federal Court of Appeal
Health Break
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
The Past, Present and Future of the Federal Courts
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Moderator
The Honourable Justice Simon Noël
Federal Court
Rapporteur
The Honourable Thomas A. Cromwell C.C.
Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Former judge of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal
Senior Counsel, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Introduction
The Honourable Frank Iacobucci
Special Guest
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon
Governor General of Canada
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Closing Remarks
The Honourable Justice Simon Noël
Accreditation
- Law Society of British Columbia: This program contains 14.75 hours of Continuing Professional Development.
- Law Society of New Brunswick: This program contains 14.5 hours of Continuing Professional Development.
- Law Society of Ontario: This program (Indigenous Peoples and the Federal Courts panel on Tuesday June 28 from 1:15 PM to 4 PM) contains 2 hours and 30 minutes of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Professionalism Content. The rest of the symposium is eligible for substantive hours.
- Barreau du Québec: Training activity whose eligibility has been confirmed by the Barreau du Québec, for one 13.5 hours of continuing professional development.
- Law Society of Saskatchewan: This program contains 13.5 hours of Continuing Professional Development.
Memories
Remembering the 50th Anniversary
On June 1, 2021, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court held a joint virtual event to mark 50 years of history.
The celebration included speeches by Chief Justice Noël of the Federal Court of Appeal, and Chief Justice Paul Crampton of the Federal Court. There was also special montage of images and documents and the Courts’ illustrious characters from to 1875 to the modern era.
OFFICIAL CEREMONY
SPECIAL MONTAGE
(EXCERPT FROM CEREMONY)
Speech by Chief Justice Marc Noël
Federal Court of Appeal
Speech by Chief Justice Paul Crampton
Federal Court
Launch of the Federal Courts’ 50th Anniversary Book
Friday, October 1, 2021 – 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET (via Zoom)
Welcome Remarks:
Chief Justice Marc Noël, Federal Court of Appeal
Chief Justice Paul Crampton, Federal Court
Opening Address:
The Honourable Frank Iacobucci
Moderator:
Justice Johanne Gauthier, Federal Court of Appeal
Panelists:
- Martine Valois, Associate Professor, Université de Montréal
- Ian Greene, Professor Emeritus, York University
- Craig Forcese, Full Professor, University of Ottawa
- Peter McCormick, Professor Emeritus, University of Lethbridge
The law societies of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan recognize the book launch as continued professional development. It is eligible for substantive hours in Ontario. Members of the bar in the other provinces and territories may consider including the webinars as a learning activity in an annual mandatory CPD Plan.
Delving into the Courts: Three Webinars
The Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court, with the assistance of the National Judicial Institute, hosted a series of free webinars in conjunction with the publication the book released in the fall of 2021.
Four panelists explored the contents of the book and specific jurisdictions, followed by a 30-minute question period with the unique opportunity of obtaining answers from experts from the academic and practice spheres, and especially, members of each of the two Courts.
The law societies of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Québec and Saskatchewan recognize the webinars as Continued Professional Development. They are eligible for substantive hours in Ontario. Members of the bar in the other provinces and territories may consider including the webinars as a learning activity in an annual mandatory CPD Plan.
Webinar 1: Immigration
Friday, October 29, 2021 – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET
Chair:
The Honourable Alan Diner, Federal Court
Panelists:
- The Honourable Mary J.L. Gleason, Federal Court of Appeal
- Prof. Martine Valois, Université de Montréal
- Mr. Lorne Waldman, Larlee Rosenberg
Webinar 2: National Security
Friday, November 26, 2021 – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET
Chair:
The Honourable Yves de Montigny, Federal Court of Appeal
Panelists:
- The Honourable Catherine M. Kane, Federal Court
- Prof. Craig Forcese, University of Ottawa
- Mr. Gordon N. Cameron, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Webinar 3: Intellectual Property
Friday, December 10, 2021 – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET
Chair:
The Honourable George R. Locke, Federal Court of Appeal
Panelists:
- The Honourable Michael D. Manson, Federal Court
- Prof. Jeremy de Beer, University of Ottawa
- Ms. Judith Robinson, Senior Consultant, Fineberg Ramamoorthy LLP
