March 22, 1996
(Executive Council)

The following statement was issued today by Premier Brian Tobin. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Ministerial statement - Premier congratulates Honourable James Gushue on appointment as Chief Justice of Newfoundland

This is the first opportunity available to the House to extend our congratulations to the Honourable James Gushue on his appointment as Chief Justice of Newfoundland, the highest judicial position in the province. Its occupant also holds an important place in the structure of government, as the chief justice is also the administrator, the person who represents the Crown in the absence of the lieutenant-governor.

Chief Justice Gushue has been a member of the Court of Appeal for 20 years. He is a distinguished legal scholar. He is well known to members of the House, although I hasten to say that we know him principally in his role as a judge. Members will recall, for example, that he was one of the two judges who administered our oaths to us on Wednesday morning.

I know that all members will join me in welcoming Chief Justice Gushue's appointment.

I wish to pay tribute, too, to the Honourable Noel Goodridge, the retiring chief justice. He is a distinguished and widely respected jurist whose judgements were widely regarded as well written models of legal scholarship. In behalf of the House and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador I thank him for his immense contribution to our province.