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Former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada is not only the highest judge in Canada but also third in the Order of Precedence, coming behind the Governor General and the Prime Minister. The Chief Justice is also the Deputy Governor General, ex officio chairman of the Canadian Judicial Council, and the chair of the committee that selects winners of the Order of Canada. Below are all of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada since its inception in 1875.

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Dates of OfficeChief Justice
10 Oct 1875 - 11 Jan 1879The Honourable Sir William Buell Richards, Kt.
11 Jan 1879 - 25 Sep 1892The Honourable Sir William Johnston Ritchie, Kt.
13 Dec 1892 - 18 Nov 1902The Right Honourable Sir Samuel Henry Strong, P.C., Kt.
21 Nov 1902 - 02 May 1906The Right Honourable Sir Henri Elzéar Taschereau, P.C., Kt.
04 Jun 1906 - 21 Oct 1918The Right Honourable Sir Charles Fitzpatrick, P.C., G.C.M.G.
23 Oct 1918 - 01 May 1924The Right Honourable Sir Louis Henry Davies, P.C., K.C.M.G.
16 Sep 1924 - 28 Feb 1933The Right Honourable Francis Alexander Anglin, P.C.
17 Mar 1933 - 07 Jan 1944The Right Honourable Sir Lyman Poore Duff, P.C., G.C.M.G.
08 Jan 1944 - 22 Jun 1954The Right Honourable Thibaudeau Rinfret, P.C.
01 Jul 1954 - 02 Feb 1963The Honourable Patrick Kerwin, P.C.
22 Apr 1963 - 01 Sep 1967The Right Honourable Robert Taschereau, P.C.
01 Sep 1967 - 22 Mar 1970The Right Honourable John Robert Cartwright, P.C., C.C., M.C.
23 Mar 1970 - 23 Dec 1973The Right Honourable Joseph Honoré Gérald Fauteux, P.C., C.C.
27 Dec 1973 - 26 Mar 1984The Right Honourable Bora Laskin, P.C.
18 Apr 1984 - 30 Jun 1990The Right Honourable Robert George Brian Dickson, P.C.
01 Jul 1990 - 06 Jan 2000The Right Honourable Antonio Lamer, P.C.
07 Jan 2000 - 15 Dec 2017The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C.
18 Dec 2017 - The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C.

SOURCE: Supreme Court of Canada.

See also
Federal Judiciary System
Supreme Court of Canada
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Federal Court of Appeal
Federal Court
Tax Court of Canada

External Links
Supreme Court of Canada's Official Website


Copyright Craig I.W. Marlatt