Canada's Supreme Court: Meet the judges

The Supreme Court is Canada's final court of appeal, and asan institution, it has handed down decisions on issues of great social and political importance, from assisted suicide toFirst Nations rights.

The group consistsof nine members: the Chief Justice of Canada and eight puisne judges. ("Puisne" comesfrom the ancient French word "puin," meaning "younger.")

Here's a look at the judges that currently make up the Supreme Court.

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C. Chief Justice of Canada

Date of birth:Sept. 7, 1943
Home province:British Columbia
Appointed on the advice of: BrianMulroney (as puisne justice) / JeanChrtien (as chief justice)
Date appointed:March 30, 1989 / Jan. 7, 2000
Mandatory retirement date:Sept. 7, 2018
Law school:University of Alberta
Position before appointment:British Columbia Court of Appeal / Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court

The Honourable Madam Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella

Date of birth:July 1, 1946
Home province:Ontario
Appointed on the advice of:Paul Martin
Date appointed:April 10, 2004
Mandatory retirement date:July 1, 2021
Law School:University of Toronto
Position before appointment:Court of Appeal for Ontario

The Honourable Mr. Justice Michael Moldaver

Date of birth:Dec. 23, 1947
Home province:Ontario
Appointed on the advice of: StephenHarper
Date appointed:Oct. 21, 2011
Mandatory retirement date:Dec. 23, 2022
Law school:University of Toronto
Position before appointment:Ontario Court of Appeal

The Honourable Madam Justice Andromache Karakatsanis

Date of birth:Oct. 3, 1955
Home province:Ontario
Appointed on the advice of: Stephen Harper
Date appointed:Oct. 21, 2011
Mandatory retirement date:Oct. 3, 2030
Law school:Osgoode
Position before appointment:Ontario Court of Appeal

The Honourable Mr. Justice Richard R. Wagner

Date of birth:April 2, 1957
Home province:Quebec
Appointed on the advice of: StephenHarper
Date appointed:Oct. 2, 2012
Mandatory retirement date:April 2, 2032
Law school:University of Ottawa
Position before appointment:Quebec Court of Appeal

The Honourable Mr. Justice Clment Gascon

Date of birth:Sept. 5, 1960
Home province:Quebec
Appointed on the advice of: StephenHarper
Date appointed:June 3, 2014
Mandatory retirement date:Sept. 5, 2035
Law school:McGill University
Position before appointment:Quebec Court of Appeal

The Honourable Madam Justice Suzanne Ct

Date of birth:Sept. 21, 1958
Home province:Quebec
Appointed on the advice of: StephenHarper
Date appointed:Nov. 26, 2014
Mandatory retirement date:Sept. 21, 2033
Law school:L'Universite Laval
Position before appointment:Partner and head of Montreal litigation at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

The HonourableMr. Justice Russell Brown

Date of birth:Sept.15, 1965
Home province: Alberta
Appointedon the advice of: Stephen Harper
Date appointed:Aug. 21, 2015
Mandatory retirement date: Sept. 15,2040
Law school:University of Victoria,University of Toronto
Position before appointment:Court of Appeal of Alberta,Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta

The Honourable Mr. Justice Malcolm Rowe

Date of birth:1953
Home province: Newfoundland and Labrador
Appointedon the advice of: Justin Trudeau
Date appointed: Oct. 17,2016
Mandatory retirement date: 2028
Law school:Osgoode Hall Law School
Position before appointment:Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador (Court of Appeal),Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador