Federal judicial and board appointments

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice (published November 29, 2025) lists a bundle of new federal appointments and a public call for applications to other Governor-in-Council positions. It names new judges for several courts, a board chair for a Crown investment corporation, and appointments to bodies like the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Social Security Tribunal.

What it does#

• Appoints Dwight Ball as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Canada Development Investment Corporation.
• Names a number of judges and judicial officers to provincial and superior courts, including appointments to the courts of appeal and superior courts in several provinces and territories (examples in the notice: The Hon. Michael Brundrett, The Hon. Amy D. Francis, The Hon. Robert Dysart).
• Appoints members and officials to federal bodies such as the Immigration and Refugee Board (full‑time member Jacqueline Marie Gallant) and the Social Security Tribunal (employment insurance section members including Dawn Joanne Kershaw, Adam Thomas Picotte, Sarah Desiree Sheaves).
• Names a deputy director at Public Prosecutions (Shannon Sheleyne Wein O’Connor) and other court and tribunal positions listed in the notice.
• Announces that the Privy Council Office is inviting applications for a range of Governor‑in‑Council appointment opportunities. The notice reminds readers that each opportunity is open for at least two weeks from when it appears on the appointments website.

Who's affected#

• People working in the federal court and tribunal system, including lawyers, judges, and court staff, who may see personnel changes in the courts listed.
• Parties with ongoing or future cases in the courts and tribunals mentioned, who may appear before newly appointed judges or members.
• Communities and stakeholders with business before the Canada Development Investment Corporation, which now has a new board chair.
• Canadians interested in public appointments — the Privy Council Office call affects anyone who might want to apply for Governor‑in‑Council positions.

Why it matters#

• These are real personnel changes in the justice system and in federal boards. New judges and board members will hear cases and make decisions that affect individuals, businesses, and government programs.
• For people with active cases, a change in judge or tribunal member can influence scheduling and how a file is handled.
• For the public, the appointments notice is part of how federal leadership roles are filled and shows which positions are open for public application.