Quebec jurist Richard Wagner was sworn in as Canada's new chief justice with a ceremony at Ottawa's Rideau Hall today.
Gov. Gen. Julie Payette presided over the ceremony. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among those in attendance.
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly, Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan also attended the ceremony, along with former Liberal justice minister Irwin Cotler.
Wagner, 60, the senior Quebec judge on the bench, succeeds Beverley McLachlin who retired Friday after 17 years as chief justice. McLachlin is also among the dignitaries in attendance.
He was nominated to the high court in 2012 by then Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Wagner served on the Quebec Superior Court and the Quebec Court of Appeal. Before his judicial appointment, he had a commercial litigation practice focusing on real estate and professional liability insurance. He is the middle son of former Quebec provincial Liberal cabinet minister and former federal Progressive Conservative leadership candidate Claude Wagner.
