Two new Thompson provincial court judges were appointed March 23.
Vincent Sinclair and Curtis Briscoe were named as judges by Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen.
“Both of these individuals have shown exemplary work and dedication to their professions and to their communities,” Goertzen said in a press release. “I am confident that both will be fine additions to the Provincial Court of Manitoba.”
Briscoe, a partner at Law North in Thompson since 2016 and its senior partner and president since 2020, was appointed to fill a vacancy that resulted from the transfer of Judge Todd Rambow from Thomson to The Pas. He is a 2011 graduate of University of Windsor Law and began his career working for Manitoba Prosecutions. Briscoe also has additional experience as a legislative analyst for the Manitoba government and as the agent bylaw prosecutor for the City fo Thompson. He spent his first three years at Law North doing criminal defence work in Thompson, Norway House, Shamattawa and other northern communities. Briscoe has been a board member and volunteer with the Thompson Community Foundation since 2018.
Sinclair, who has worked as a Crown attorney with Manitoba Prosecutions in his hometown of The Pas since 2010, was selected from a list of candidates recommended by Manitoba’s judicial appointment committee to fill a new provincial court judge position in Thompson. Prior to attending a law school, a childhood dream that took him 14 years to realize after completing a bachelor’s degree in 1991, Sinclair worked for Opaskwayak Cree Nation, which he is a member of, for 12 years and served two years as an OCN councillor.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak issued a statement after the announcement acknowledging Sinclair’s appointment and noting the need for there to be more Indigenous people working in the provincial justice system.
“I commend Judge Sinclair for his ongoing efforts in the field of justice,” said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “Being appointed as a provincial court judge is a huge achievement and is a result of your hard work. Thank you for your service to the public in this area. Judge Vincent Sinclair is a role model for other First Nations citizens who wish to pursue a career in the field of law. I’m very proud to know of MKO citizens who are achieving their dreams while making a positive impact on the world around them.”
A swearing-in ceremony with the new appointees will be held in the near future.
