Legal community, family celebrate Nunavut’s newest judge

Justice Mark Mossey’s love of hockey and serving Nunavummiut were points of laughter and emotion as Nunavut’s newest judge was sworn into office Friday.

At least 90 people including lawyers, friends and family members packed an Iqaluit courtroom for the ceremony after he was appointed in February.

Several other friends, family and colleagues participated by videoconference, logging in from across Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.

“You’ve protected Inuit when no one listened,” said Bernice Kootoo Clarke, who opened the ceremony with the lighting of the qulliq.

“We will never forget you. Our children are going to know about you.”

Since being called to the Nunavut bar in 2010, Mossey has served several roles, including that of a poverty and civil lawyer at Maliganik Tukisiniarvik Legal Services. Until his appointment, he was the executive legal officer in the Office of the Chief Justice.

Outside of those roles, Mossey has been a law instructor, a volunteer in Iqaluit’s hockey community and father of four kids.

As well, Mossey represented Nunavut and held the second vice-president position at the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.

“The federation’s loss is very clearly Nunavut’s gain,” said Teresa Donnelly, the federation’s president.

“His path to the bench, as has been noted, has been defined by a deep commitment to public service and a nuanced understanding of the North, and he brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to justice.”

Former chief justice Neil Sharkey spoke about his “daily” interactions with Mossey while the two worked together, and their discussions of politics and legal philosophy.

In addition to touting Mossey’s “distinguished” credentials, Sharkey drew on their mutual love of hockey.

“If you’ve ever thought there were animated arguments in the courtroom, you have no idea of what the Iqaluit Hockey Association board meetings are,” Sharkey said.

“The [federal justice] minister clearly recognized Mark’s extensive stick handling experience, his fairness in dishing out penalties, and his ability to emerge from a fight with a consensus.”

The ceremony concluded with Mossey sharing reflections of his own, looking back on colleagues who mentored him throughout his career, especially Sharkey and the entire Nunavut judiciary.

“I’ve been so fortunate to work in some capacity with every judge who has been appointed to the Nunavut Court of Justice,” Mossey said.

“To think that I am fortunate enough now to sit in this position, working with jurors I have admired for so long, is truly humbling.”

Mossey also thanked his extended family — in particular his wife, Dr. Amber Miners and their children — for their support.

“I could not ask for a better place to have practiced law or for a more wonderful place for Amber and I to raise our family,” he said.