A cocktail reception was held on October 17, 2024, in the grand entry hall of the Ernest Cormier Building to mark the 175th anniversary of the Quebec Court of Appeal. Several distinguished guests were present for the event. The Honourable Lucien Bouchard, former Premier of Quebec, provided a captivating account of how the project to refurbish the Ernest Cormier Building to serve as the Court of Appeal’s Montreal seat came together in the early 2000s.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Quebec, Simon Jolin-Barrette, also addressed attendees. He took the opportunity to announce the forthcoming construction of a new courtroom at the Court of Appeal’s Quebec City seat, which will allow a panel of five judges to hear cases. The Honourable Manon Savard, Chief Justice of Quebec, announced that this new courtroom will be named after the Honourable Claire L’Heureux‑Dubé, the first woman appointed to the Quebec Court of Appeal. A commemorative plaque, which will be placed at the entrance to the new courtroom, was also unveiled at the event. Professor Marie-Claire Belleau, of the Faculty of Law of Université Laval, then paid tribute to the Honourable Claire L’Heureux‑Dubé, saying a few words about this exceptional jurist’s career and contributions.
The Honourable Lucien Bouchard, former Premier of Quebec
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Quebec, Simon Jolin-Barrette
The Honourable Manon Savard, Chief Justice of Quebec
Professor Marie-Claire Belleau, of the Faculty of Law of Université Laval