The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and diversity, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
Maria V. Carroccia, a sole practitioner in Windsor, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Madam Justice Carroccia fills one of two remaining positions authorized under the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 1.
Biography
Justice Maria Carroccia was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario and is a first-generation Canadian. Both of her parents were born in Italy and immigrated to Canada.
Madam Justice Carroccia earned her undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature in 1984 from the University of Windsor and graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor in 1987. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1989.
Justice Carroccia started her practice at Gordner Klein and subsequently was a partner in Gordner Carroccia. Since 2001, she has been a sole practitioner. Her practice has focused exclusively on criminal defence work. She was the president of the Windsor-Essex Criminal Lawyers' Association and in that capacity was involved with a number of committees related to the administration of justice in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court. She has been an occasional lecturer at the Faculty of Law in Windsor and has mentored many young lawyers who practise criminal law. She also sits on the Board of the Leone Residence for Women.
Justice Carroccia and her husband, Jamie, are the proud parents of two daughters, both of whom are university students.
Quick facts
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At the Superior Court level, more than 380 judges have been appointed since November 2015. These exceptional jurists represent the diversity that strengthens Canada. Of these judges, more than half are women, and appointments reflect an increased representation of visible minorities, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S, and those who self-identify as having a disability.
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The Government of Canada is committed to promoting access to justice for all Canadians. To improve outcomes for Canadian families, Budget 2018 provides funding of $77.2 million over four years to support the expansion of unified family courts, beginning in 2019-2020. This investment in the family justice system will create 39 new judicial positions in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
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In addition, Budget 2018 provides funding for a further seven judicial positions in Saskatchewan and Ontario, at a cost of $17.1 million over five years.
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Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
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The Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada play a key role in evaluating judicial applications. There are 17 Judicial Advisory Committees, with each province and territory represented.
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Significant reforms to the role and structure of the Judicial Advisory Committees, aimed at enhancing the independence and transparency of the process, were announced on October 20, 2016.
