The government has appointed nine justices over 2024
The Alberta government has announced the appointments of Sara L. Bagg, Jason W. Cowan, and Susanne Stushnoff, KC as justices, as well as the appointments of Michael R.A. Meredith and Wanda L. Rumball as justices of the peace.
Bagg has been assigned to the Calgary Criminal Division/Calgary Region, Cowan to the Southern Region, and Stushnoff to the Edmonton Civil Division. Their appointments bring the total number of justices appointed in 2024 to nine.
Bagg has been a justice of the peace since 2017. Before joining the bench, she was a Miller Thomson LLP associate based in Calgary and taught at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law.
She takes up her new role on December 17.
Cowan commenced with the Medicine Hat Crown Prosecutors’ Office in January 2012 and became deputy chief Crown prosecutor in July 2021. He was elevated to acting chief Crown prosecutor, Regional Prosecutions South last month.
He steps into his new position on December 16.
Stushnoff began working with the Alberta Justice, Legal Services Division as assistant deputy minister in 2022. In March 2023, she became acting deputy minister and deputy attorney general – a role she held until January 2024.
At one point she, was Alberta Court of Appeal registrar. She takes on her new role as justice on January 21, 2025.
With the appointments of Bagg, Cowan, and Stushnoff, the Alberta government has appointed a total of nine justices in 2024. The government has also named three assistant chief justices.
Meredith launched his practice, Meredith Law, in 2015. In 2017, he joined the City of Calgary’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, where he stayed until 2021.
He commences as a part-time justice of the peace in Calgary on January 13, 2025.
Rumball has owned tax specialist firm W. Rumball Professional Corporation for over two decades. She logged stints as a partner at KPMG Law LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.
She becomes a full-time justice of the peace on December 16, based in Calgary.
“The court is very pleased by the appointments announced today. The experience and qualifications of the individuals named will enhance their respective divisions and the court as a whole in improving access to justice for all Albertans,” Alberta Court of Justice Chief Justice James Hunter said in a statement.
The Alberta Judicial Council and the Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee evaluate applications for justices and justices of the peace. Recommendations for appointment are then made to the justice minister and the cabinet.
Over 2022-2023, Alberta has added seven new judicial positions to the Alberta Court of Justice, bringing the total number of justice positions in the province to 143.
