Susan Cooper is Nunavut’s top judge after being appointed Chief Justice for the Nunavut Court of Justice Friday by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Photo courtesy of Mark Mossey)
Justice Susan Cooper named to lead Nunavut court
Trudeau fills vacancy seven months after Neil Sharkey’s retirement
Susan Cooper is the new chief justice for Nunavut, after serving as acting chief justice for the past seven months.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Cooper as his pick to lead the Nunavut Court of Justice in a news release Friday afternoon.
“I’m honoured to be taking on this role and look forward to the challenges ahead and working with excellent colleagues on both the court and in the bar for the benefit of Nunavummiut,” Cooper said in a written statement to Nunatsiaq News.
She takes succeeds Neil Sharkey, who retired as chief justice in April on his 75th birthday, the mandatory retirement age for federally appointed judges.
“I wish the Honourable Susan Cooper every success as she takes on her new role as Chief Justice of the Nunavut Court of Justice,” Trudeau said in a statement.
“She is a respected member of the legal community and has extensive experience in many areas of law. I am confident she will be a great asset to the people of Nunavut.”
Cooper has been a judge in Nunavut since 2009 and a member of the Nunavut bar since 1999.
Her legal work in the North dates back to 1988 when she worked as a lawyer in Yellowknife.
Cooper is a “fixture in the North,” said Premier P.J. Akeeagok in an interview, welcoming her to her new role.
“It’s a very important appointment, so we’ve been waiting for the prime minister to make this,” Akeeagok said.
“I think that the work that she’s done and the great work that she’s carried since she’s been there is something that we’re very happy with as well. We’re very pleased with the appointment.”
Currently, six of seven Nunavut justice positions are filled, according to Mark Mossey, executive legal officer in the office of the chief justice.
No date has been set yet for Cooper to be sworn in as chief justice.
Congrats , Susan , lets make Nunavut great agian.
Congratulations.
Congratulations to Chief Justice Cooper.
It is baffling how the Government could have let this decision sit for 7 months. Former CJ Sharkey’s retirement was set to happen on a set date because he retired at the mandatory retirement age of 75. Therefore it was entirely foreseeable that the court would be without a Chief Justice the day after he retired.
Furthermore, not only did CJ Sharkey’s retirement leave the court without a CJ, it also meant the court was down by 1 judge. The court is waiting for the next judge to fill the judicial seat left open by his retirement, yet here we are 7 months later with no new judge.
A more proactive government would have foreseen these vacancies and planned ahead.
I hope that Chief Justice Cooper and her colleagues in the NCJ get some relief soon with the appointment of another puisne judge, forthwith. It is essential for the administration of justice in the territory.
Thank you for raising that issue Joseph, another thing that needs to be raised is the fact that many communities in Nunavut have had court cancelled because there haven’t been enough resources, I’m thinking part of the reason is because there weren’t enough judges? Trials, first appearances etc. have been moved many months away a few times because the court can’t fly in. Perhaps a new judicial appointment can help the administration of justice start again. Victims and people charged with a crime probably would like to have matters dealt with.
Congratulations Sue; Wishing you all the best at the helm of the Nunavut Court of Justice. Wishing Neil well in his retirement too.
Alright Chief Justice Cooper.
Congratulations.
Congratulations Susan. I know that you will do an excellent job as Chief Justice. It was a pleasure working with you during my 1st year as Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut.