Thompson lawyer Alain Huberdeau, previously a partner with Law North, has been named a provincial court judge, Manitoba Attorney General Andrew Swan announced in a press release Oct. 2.
Huberdeau was selected from among a list of candidates suggested by an independent judicial nominating committee chaired by Ken Champagne, chief judge of Manitoba's provincial court, which included a provincial court judge and representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association.
“Judge Huberdeau's experience as a respected community leader will serve him well in this new position as he works on behalf of all Manitobans,” said Swan. “He brings a unique understanding and appreciation for Manitoba's north, along with his commitment to the law.”
A recipient of a law degree from the University of Moncton in 1996, Huberdeau practised privately in Thompson since that time, providing pro bono legal services to groups including the Thompson Humane Society, Our Home Kikinaw and the Thompson Housing Agency. He and his wife Andree Catellier won the Knights of Columbus Thompson Council #5961 2013 Family of the Year Award last December and Huberdeau received the Manitoba Bar Association's Community Involvement Award in January 2014. He is currently president of the Thompson Community Foundation, and of the Comité scolaire pour l'école communitaire la Voie du Nord, which established the first French school in Thompson. His previous community service includes being a founding member of Spirit Way Inc.
His appointment is effective immediately and an official swearing-in ceremony will be held as soon as possible.
Thompson provincial court also has a new judicial justice of the peace - Alana Schiller - who was appointed to the post Sept. 9 to replace Zelda Kitchekeesik, who served in that capacity since 2006 and resigned Aug. 27. Schiller was recommended for the post in April from a list of candidates provided to Minister of Justice Swan by a justice of the peace nominating committee.
