Malcolm McDonald, a partner in the law firm of McDonald Huberdeau, has been appointed as provincial court judge for The Pas.
The appointment was made by Manitoba Minister of Justice and Attorney General Andrew Swan through an order-in-council of the cabinet signed by the lieutenant-governor and effective Feb. 3.
Under the Manitoba Provincial Court Act judges must be a member in good standing of the Law Society of Manitoba; entitled to practice as a barrister and solicitor in Manitoba; and have practiced as a barrister or solicitor in Manitoba for not less than five years, or have other equivalent experience.
They hold office "during good behaviour" and must reside in the province.
Appointments are made from a list of candidates recommended by a nominating committee known as the judicial nominating committee, composed of the chief judge, who is the chairperson of the committee; three persons, who are not lawyers, judges or retired judges, appointed by the lieutenant-governor-in-council; a judge designated by the judges of the provincial court; a person designated by the president of The Law Society of Manitoba; and a person designated by the president of the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association.
McDonald was appointed following a process which saw him selected from a list of candidates after interviews by the committee chaired by chief provincial court Judge Ken Champagne, who became chief judge last July 9. Champagne was appointed to the provincial bench in 2005. He began his legal career by articling in the Crown attorney's office in 1993. For many years he worked in Thompson, and was for a time supervising senior Crown attorney.
In January 2000, Champagne joined the family violence unit in the prosecutions branch in Winnipeg where he handled serious criminal matters including homicides, child abuse and domestic violence cases.
He is active in the aboriginal community, especially through sports, and is of Métis descent.
McDonald fills the vacancy left in The Pas when Judge Roger Gregoire retired.
McDonald received his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1982, and during his 26 years practicing as a lawyer in Northern Manitoba has experience in both criminal and family law.
As part of his practice, McDonald also worked as an independent prosecutor for the province, prosecuted drug cases as a federal Crown for the Department of Justice, and acted as counsel to Manitoba Child and Family Services and Consumer Affairs.
