The Honourable Catherine Fraser, who retired in July 2022 after serving as the Chief Justice of the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories for 30 years, was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in October 2024: https://www.alberta.ca/aoe-catherine-fraser

Catherine was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick and obtained a BA (University of Alberta, 1969), LLB (University of Alberta, Silver Medal, 1970) and LLM (London School of Economics and Political Science, 1972).  She practiced commercial and corporate law for 17 years in Edmonton, prior to her appointment to the Court of Queen’s Bench (1989), Courts of Appeal (1991) and as Chief Justice in 1992.

Catherine was a trail blazer and role model for women in the legal profession throughout her career. While women represented barely 10% of the graduates in her law class, upon her retirement the majority of the judges on the Alberta, Nunavut and Northwest Territories Courts of Appeal were women. Catherine taught one of the first classes on Women and the Law while articling. She authored many ground-breaking decisions and was committed to improving access to a fair and equal justice system, judicial independence and defending the rule of law. Her motto was “Be vigilant. Be devoted. Be fearless. Remember what you have been entrusted to do. No one else can do it but you.” She was dedicated to promoting judicial education, both within Canada and internationally.

Catherine was a longstanding and active member of the Canadian Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges throughout her judicial career. The CCIAWJ congratulates her on this well-deserved achievement.

Photo Credit: Government of Alberta | Article Credit: Justice Jo’Anne Strekaf