Richard Wagner (judge)

Private practice and early judicial career

In 1980, Wagner was called to the Quebec Bar, and began practice at the Montreal law firm Lavery, de Billy (formerly Lavery, O'Brien and Lavery, Johnston, Clark, Carrière, Mason & Associés). His practice centred on real estate, commercial litigation and professional liability insurance.^[3]

He was appointed to the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montreal on September 24, 2004. On February 3, 2011, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal of Quebec.

Supreme Court of Canada

On October 2, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper nominated him to the Supreme Court of Canada to replace retiring Justice Marie Deschamps.^[4] His appointment was confirmed on October 5, 2012.^[5]

On December 3, 2012, a ceremony was held for Wagner's appointment in the Supreme Court of Canada courtroom. The event was attended by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, the federal minister of justice and attorney general, Rob Nicholson, and the Quebec deputy minister of justice, Nathalie G. Drouin.^[6]

On December 12, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Wagner as Beverly McLachlin's successor as Chief Justice of Canada.^[7][8]

In 2023, Wagner was criticized for his handling of the complaint against puisne judge Russell Brown, which led to the latter's resignation. Brown's lawyer cast doubt on Wagner's assertion that Brown had agreed to step aside from the Court during the investigation.^[9]

In 2024, Wagner was criticized by lawyers for having a bust of himself exhibited inside the Supreme Court building. The court refused to disclose the identity of the person who paid for the bust, which raised concerns about the court's transparency.^[10] Some also said that it was improper for a sitting judge to have a bust of himself exhibited publicly.^[10]

Wagner was also criticized for excessive foreign travel as chief justice, as well as overstepping the court's constitutional role.^[11]

Administrator of Canada

On January 23, 2021, Wagner became Administrator of the Government of Canada following Governor General Julie Payette's resignation in response to a workplace harassment investigation. By virtue of the Letters Patent, 1947, the chief justice of Canada is the ex officio principal deputy to the governor general, and may act as governor general when the office is vacant.^[12][13] Only justices of the Supreme Court of Canada are authorized to perform federal viceregal duties on an acting basis. He ceased to hold office as administrator on July 26, 2021, following Mary Simon's appointment as governor general.^[14][13] Serving for six months, Wagner was the longest-serving administrator of Canada in history.^[15]

Honorary degrees