Susan Cooper sworn in as Nunavut’s fourth chief justice

Nunavut’s legal community gathered Friday to pay tribute to the territory’s new chief justice, who was officially sworn into the role.

“I can’t help but think that this process has been a bit like what it must feel like to attend your own funeral,” Justice Susan Cooper quipped during the ceremony, about comments colleagues made about her during the consultation process that led to her being appointed.

“People are kind enough to say only the nice things.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Cooper as Nunavut’s top judge in November. She had been serving in the role on an interim basis for seven months.

Commissioner of Nunavut Eva Aariak, left, swears-in Susan Cooper as Chief Justice of Nunavut on Friday in an Iqaluit courtroom. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

The ceremony, held at the Nunavut Justice Centre in Iqaluit, was attended by more than 50 people including six other justices, most of Nunavut’s Crown prosecutors and court clerks, many defence lawyers and government officials.

There was a slight hiccup in proceedings when N.W.T. Justice Sheila MacPherson, Cooper’s longtime friend, was about to give her speech. There was only one microphone available for the entire bench of judges, and it was in front of Justice Ritu Khullar.

But Cooper wasted no time. She took the microphone and passed it to MacPherson.

“Thank you, Chief Justice Cooper, for demonstrating leadership in the moment of that challenge dealing with microphones,” MacPherson said as the audience laughed.

Cooper, a longtime defence lawyer, judge, avid skier and walker, is Nunavut’s fourth chief justice after Justices Beverley Browne, Robert Kilpatrick and Neil Sharkey, who viewed the ceremony over Zoom.

Cooper succeeded Sharkey, who retired as chief justice in April 2024 on his 75th birthday, the mandatory retirement age for federally appointed judges.

Cooper was one of the first people to be called to the Nunavut Bar in 1999 and worked as a defence lawyer in the territory for 10 years, until she was appointed to the Nunavut Court of Justice in 2009.

“In this role, she has demonstrated courage, humility and collegiality,” Khullar said.

Several dignitaries also offered speeches to celebrate Cooper, including Joanne Smith, president of the Law Society of Nunavut, Justice Minister David Akeeagok and Premier P.J. Akeeagok, who spoke to Cooper both as the chief justice and his constituent living in the Iqaluit-Niaqunngu riding.

The premier encouraged Cooper to lead based on both legal and Inuit perspectives.

Cooper said one of her main priorities is the revitalization and training of the justice of the peace program.

“I’ll make a pitch here— if you are interested or if you know someone, please contact us,” she joked.

Cooper also said she would maintan the Nunavut Court of Justice as a place where lawyers are respected, encouraged and supported in their professional growth.

“I have many other goals and projects, but I also appreciate that some of you may be here primarily for the catering,” she said.

Cooper thanked all those came in person or who joined over Zoom, which included former Nunavut senator Dennis Patterson and Cooper’s daughter, Justine Cooper-King, who was in Taiwan.