Appointed Citizenship Judge for Montreal in February 2009, he was a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Concordia University and the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). He has been a speaker and moderator at conferences and academic seminars for universities and colleges as well as academic research centers and think tanks in Canada and the United States. Judge Ayache is considered one of the few Canadian experts on the Middle East. His field of expertise includes the U.S. Foreign Policy, the Middle East, Terrorism and Ethnic Minorities in the Middle East. He organized the first symposium on the Middle East at UQAM He is involved in the World Lebanese Cultural Union. Judge Ayache has studied law in France, holds a Bachelor of Political Science from the Université du Québec à Montréal, the equivalent of a PhD in Journalism from the Université de Paris II (Assas – Institut français de Presse) and a Doctorate in political science at the Université du Québec à Montréal.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Etobicoke in June 2009, he has extensive international and inter cultural experience. For several years he was General Secretary/Chief Executive of a major Canadian charity, traveling extensively throughout Canada and around the world promoting translation, publishing and educational literature. In recent years he had been in private practice in Toronto. As a leader in the charitable sector, Judge Babcock has a significant understanding of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. He has made valuable leadership contributions in assisting non profit organizations in areas of organizational development and cultural change within society. He has also served on several non profit Boards of Directors. He has been a champion of education and schools for the indigents through the Mustard Seed Mission operating in Indonesia. He serves on the board of Youth Unlimited which cares for disenfranchised youth in the Greater Toronto Area. Born in Saskatchewan, he was educated in Manitoba, Ontario and Kentucky. Judge Babcock holds Bachelor, Masters, and Doctorate degrees and is also an ordained minister.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Mississauga, in June 2009, he was previously serving on the Ontario Film Review Board and was the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of Canada in Ottawa. As a volunteer, he has served as President of the Armenian National Federation of Canada, secretary of the Canadian Ethno cultural Council, Agent General (Ottawa) for the National Ethnic Media and Press Council of Canada. He has participated in the UN’s World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and was a founding member of the Willowdale Legal Aid Service and the Wishing Well Community Association. As a journalist and author, Judge Babikian has appeared on numerous television and radio talk shows and his articles have been published in numerous Canadian and international publications. Judge Babikian has received many awards and accolades for his outstanding volunteer services to the Canadian civil society, among which are the Ontario Volunteer Service Award (25 years of service), The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Canada’s 125th Confederation Commemorative Medal, and the National Ethnic Press and Media Council (Human Rights/Social Justice Award).
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Mississauga, in November 2006, she was previously Executive Director for the Catholic Civil Rights League, where she applied her professional management skills in revitalizing and reshaping the organization. Judge Brum Bozzi was also a Senior Associate with the High Park Group providing research, media analysis services and strategic advice. She has spent a number of years contributing time to community initiatives. Judge Brum Bozzi actively participates in Host Programs for international students where she provides accommodation and community orientation that familiarizes foreign students with the social and educational services provided by the government and the community, and showcases overall opportunities to newcomers. Judge Brum Bozzi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, and with a Master of Arts from the Toronto School of Theology.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for the Atlantic Region in August 2007, she is an entrepreneur involved in the economic and social development of her community. She served as Executive Director of the African Nova Scotian Training Centre and was Coordinator for the C.O.A.C.H. Project, a program designed to provide African Nova Scotia offenders with life skills, anger management, self-affirmation and support to facilitate their integration into the community. She has served on such boards as the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Congress of Black Women, National Parole Board, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Arts Council. Judge Carvery is a community leader and an advocate for human rights having devoted herself to working with persons with disabilities, women, youth in crisis and single parents. An accomplished performer/singer and a successful recording artist, she has won an East Coast Music Award for Jazz Artist of the Year and is the past President of the Nova Scotia Mass Choir. Judge Carvery received an honorary Doctorate of Letters in 1998, from Saint Mary’s University.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Ottawa, in October 2006, he is a former member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Parliamentary Assistant of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Agriculture, Associate Minister for Rural Economic Development, and Minister of Tourism and Recreation. Starting with his own construction business earlier in life, he went on to serve from 1989 to 1999 as the Mayor of Cumberland. He is a former member of the Board of Governors for Algonquin College (Ottawa), former executive of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, former Co-Chair of the Ottawa River Committee, and past director with the Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce. Judge Coburn also served as an Adjudicator on the Ontario Assessment Review Board, and continues to actively promote and support various initiatives in his own community.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Windsor in January 2008, she was a Public Member of the Council for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. While with the College, she served as a member of several key committees including the Governance, Registration, Finance and Discipline committees. Judge Degroot has also had a distinguished career in the private sector where she held various positions in sales and account management for major companies and organizations. She is an active member of her community and has served on several committees and boards. She is a member of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Development Committee and was Chair of the Iona College, University of Windsor, Ministry and Personnel Committee. She is also past President of the Newcastle Social Planning Committee and served as Vice-Chair of the Community Services Planning Board. She is also currently serving on the Board of the Windsor Residence for Young Men. In addition to her studies in accounting and management, Judge Degroot has received extensive training in professional sales, customer service, category management and account review.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Vancouver in September 2009, she practiced law in Toronto as a partner of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and of Torys LLP. Her work focused on corporate and securities transactions but she also acted pro bono in assisting various non-profit organizations. Since 1997 Judge Dillon has lived in Vancouver where she has been involved with volunteer activities, primarily in the educational sector. She has served as a director and member of the executive of the board of Mulgrave School, assuming leadership roles in communications and strategic planning. She is also a governor of Shawinigan Lake School. Judge Dillon was for several years a director and the secretary of the board of a women’s hostel and has been a volunteer for the Writers’ Development Trust and the Canadian Cancer Society. Judge Dillon received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Montreal in September 2009, he taught law in Zaire and Rwanda for 5 years before joining the foreign service of Canada. His diplomatic career took him to Senegal, Turkey, and Paris, where he worked for Gérard Pelletier. After working 2 years in Ottawa as Executive Assistant to Allan E. Gotlieb, Judge Duguay was named Canadian Ambassador to Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, and Central Africa. He was later posted to Morocco and then worked for Lucien Bouchard in Paris as public affairs minister. Returning to Montreal he became Executive Assistant to Paul Desmarais, CEO of Power Corporation, and then the permanent Representative of Canada on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria, were his final postings before his third in Paris, where he worked with Raymond Chretien. His last post for External Affairs was as Vice President at Montreal International. He has taught International Affairs at McGill, Concordia and the University of Montreal. Judge Duguay is a lawyer, who did his post graduate studies at Northwestern University in Chicago, and at Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar. He is now also a writer.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Scarborough, in September 2006 he has throughout his career, worked in various managerial positions at the T. Eaton Company in addition to Gordon Brothers as a Liquidations Consultant. From 2000-2003, he was employed at Premier Brand Foods. Judge Gaynor is a distinguished member of his community, where he has provided many years of dedicated volunteer service. For over eighteen years, he dedicated himself to supporting the efforts of the Toronto Metropolitan Police Auxiliary, where he reached the level of Sergeant, conducting foot and car patrols, and other initiatives that promoted safety within the community. He was also an active member of the fundraising committee for the Abilities Centre Durham, which demonstrated his fondness for the facility’s performing arts and multi-purpose athletic centre, having a special emphasis on programming for people of all ages and varied abilities.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Scarborough, Ontario, in May 2010, Judge Geronikolos received training in the Financial Services field. Over a period of 30 years he established himself as a reliable provider of Life Insurance and Retirement products representing some of Canada’s largest Insurance Companies. He achieved the designation of EPC (Elder Planning Counsellor) in 2000. In 1992, together with his partners, he established Premier Financial Services Inc. based in Toronto. In addition to his professional activities, Judge Geronikolos is well known for his community based volunteer activities, spanning over 35 years, which includes raising money for Sick Kids Hospital and his involvement in kid’s sports. He has received numerous awards and commendations for his volunteer community involvement. He is the past President of The Greek Community of Toronto, The Canadian Hellenic Congress and District Governor for Eastern Canada of The Canadian Order of Ahepa.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Victoria in December 2007, he served previously as a Public Affairs and Legal Consultant in Victoria in both the public and private sector. He worked for many years as a senior policy advisor and research director for the provincial and federal governments. Judge Gibault’s career has included work as a columnist in radio and television, and he has served as a lecturer and conference speaker on legal and public affairs issues. Judge Gibault is an active member of his community particularly in the field of the arts and public affairs. He is a past Director of the British Columbia Folklore Society and has been a cast member in several short feature films in Victoria. Judge Gibault graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Toronto, in November 2009 for a second term, he was previously from 1999 to 2003, a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. During his terms in office, he served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities, the Minister of Labour, and to the Premier of Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. As an active member in his community, Judge Gill hosted several town hall meetings on crime prevention and public safety, founded the Malton Cougars Soccer Club, and has been a fundraiser for a variety of worthy causes, including the Credit Valley Hospital, the United Way and the Hospital for Sick Children. An Engineer by profession, Judge Gill invented a number of environmentally friendly products. He has been a director of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Canada, and is an existing member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. Judge Gill received a bachelor degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Toronto.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Winnipeg in December 2007, he was the Special Assistant to the Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris and was previously a Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly where he served as a Minister of several departments. Judge Gilleshammer has had a distinguished career in the private sector and in education. He served as President and past President of the Rolling River School Division (RRSD) Teachers Association, as President of the Rolling River Principals Association and as an Executive Member of the Manitoba Association of Principals.
Judge Gilleshammer is an active member of his community and has served as a Board Member of the Canadian Advocate for the Adoption of Children (CAFAC). He received a Bachelor of Arts in History, Political Science and English from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Education from Brandon University.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Montreal in October 2009, she is a lawyer. Prior to her appointment, she served as judicial attaché within the Ministry of Justice of Quebec where she filled different functions in civil and criminal law.
Very active as a volunteer in her community, Judge Giroux is especially interested in crime prevention and public safety. She established Info-Crime on the south shore of Montreal where she acted as President and member of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee for Info-Crime Quebec. She is now Vice-President for her region. In addition to coming to the defense of abandoned or mistreated animals, Judge Giroux gives her time to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada by actively participating in campaigns to raise funds. Judge Giroux graduated in management from the École des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC Montreal) and in law from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). She is a member of the Bar of the province of Quebec.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Montreal in August 2011, she was an educator for over 25 years. She taught History and English at the high school level and in adult education before being promoted as a high school Vice-Principal and then Assistant Director of an Adult Education Centre serving students from around the world.
Judge Johnson was a founding Board member of West Island Community Shares, a fund raising group for local charities. She was also a Board member of West Island Black Community Association and was its chairperson for two terms. She has also been a frequent speaker at community forums and a lecturer on Black History, Multiculturalism and self-esteem in children.
Judge Johnson graduated from Sir George Williams (now Concordia) University with distinction in Economics and Political Science. She also has a Diploma in Education, a TESL Certificate and a Certificate in Educational Leadership from McGill University.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Vancouver in August 2009, she previously had an accomplished business career in telecommunications in her work for BC Tel, Stentor and Telus. Her extensive background in negotiations, telecommunications technology, executive management, operations, marketing and human resources has been recognized both professionally and in her community. She has been the recipient of many business awards for leadership and innovation as well as the Lion’s Gate Hospital “Dr. of Philanthropy” designation. Judge Kains has served as a Board member for Family Services of the North Shore, the Salvation Army, British Columbia Automobile Association, and Grace Hospital – Vancouver. She has chaired Ethics and Governance, Security and Selection committees and been appointed to the North Shore Family Court Committee. Judge Kains is also committed to S.O.S. Children’s Villages Canada and S.O.S. Villages, Barretts Town, Jamaica. She played a significant role in the fundraising efforts for the Lions Gate Hospital Hospice in 2008 and continues to be actively involved in her community. Judge Kains has a Bachelors Degree from the University of British Columbia and a Diploma in Organizational Behaviour from Simon Fraser University.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Scarborough, in December 2009, prior to his appointment he served as President of Landmark Sales for 22 years and has been actively involved in his community for over 30 years. Judge Khouri was President of the Clarington Board of Trade, the Courtice Rotary Club, and Chairman of Fundraising for the Whitby General Hospital. He has also chaired numerous major hospital and service club fundraisers and Christmas dinner events to benefit the underprivileged. A devoted proponent of a clean environment, Judge Khouri is constantly involved in community cleanups and tree plantings. A student of International Relations, he has spent his lifetime learning about, interacting with, and researching different cultures, and is credited with in-depth knowledge of geopolitical systems.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Surrey, British Columbia, in February 2011, Judge Minor is a retired sales and marketing executive in the office technology field. He has extensive community experience in issues related to youth crime, gang violence and victims of crime. Prior to his appointment, he was active as a victim’s rights advocate. Judge Minor served as Vice Chair of the Victims Advisory Council to the Parole Board of Canada and Correctional Services Canada. In 1993, he co-founded Crime, Responsibility and Youth, and worked with the organization until 2003. He has spent a number of years actively involved in community initiatives and is recognized for his work in ethnic outreach.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Ottawa in December 2007, he was Chairperson of the Employment Insurance Board of Referees in Ottawa. He has a distinguished career in education both as a teacher in Ottawa and as an educator in Malaysia and Vietnam. Judge Ngo has also been an active member of various Vietnamese communities across Canada and overseas, and is the Founder and former Chairperson of the Ottawa Vietnamese Non-Profit Residence Corporation. He served as the President of the Vietnamese Community Association of Ottawa and as a Board Member and Vice-President of the Canadian Assessment and Placement Centre, Canadian Employment Centre for New Immigrants. Judge Ngo was educated in France and Canada; he received from the University of Paris – la Sorbonne, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), and from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor and a Master of Education.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Regina in August 2009, he hails from Toronto. but joined the National and Olympic hockey university program in Vancouver and Winnipeg. His career development centered around education and international hockey including seven years with the Japan Hockey League and a head coach position with the University of British Columbia. Following his hockey career, he joined Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, Saskatchewan where during 23 years he served in many capacities including president between 2003 and 2006. He was a member of the Canadian Olympic and National hockey team from1964 to1970, again in 1980, and in 1966, was captain of the team. Judge O’Malley was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Canadian History from the University of Manitoba, and a PhD in Sacred Letters from St. Mark’s Theological College, at the University of British Columbia. He has also served in many volunteer capacities in Regina: vice president of the Big Brothers of Regina, Board Member of “one life makes a difference” Foundation, assistant coach with the University of Regina Cougar Women’s Hockey Team, the Marion Center and Hockey Regina.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Toronto, in October 2006. As the Director of Operations for the Organization of Professional Immigration Consultants (OPIC), she has for several years, worked in the field of immigration and interacted extensively with Toronto’s diverse ethnic community. Judge Phenix spent several years as a television producer for networks such as Global TV and CTV. As an accomplished writer, three of her books have been published, including a national best seller entitled Olga Ramanov: Russia’s Last Grand Duchess. The other two books were Eatonians: The Story of the Family Behind the Family, and Private Demons: The Tragic Personal Life of John A. MacDonald. Judge Phenix received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from York University, and a Masters Degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Fredericton in June 2010, she was previously Chair of the Board of Directors of Service New Brunswick, for seven years and was also Executive Director of the NB Liquor Licensing Board for 13 years. Judge Roy was the first woman appointed as an Executive Assistant in New Brunswick for 2 years, to the Minister of Tourism followed by 9 years with the Minister of Municipal Affairs. She was President of the Epsilon Y’s Menettes, a YMCA group in Fredericton, a former member of the Kidney Foundation, the YMCA Endowment Board and the Home and School Association in Campbellton. Judge Roy is actively involved in her community where she does charitable work with the homeless shelters in Fredericton. She is a graduate of Chatelain Business College in Montreal and has also completed several management courses.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Kitchener in January 2010, she served for over 30 years as a teacher in both elementary and secondary panels and as an elementary principal. She has been an international, national, and provincial presenter of learning strategies for educators. She worked as an education consultant in the Waterloo Region technology sector and she also presented workshops in Emotional Intelligence to teachers and administrators. Judge Robertson is certified in neurofeedback and worked in a private educational clinic which specializes in neurofeedback with adults and children. She was contracted to co-write the Teach Now manual for internationally trained educators who are interested in pursuing teaching in Canada. Judge Robertson has been honoured as a recipient of the University of Waterloo Alumni Achievement Award and was on the University of Waterloo Senate. She was also awarded the Kitchener-Waterloo Woman of the Year Award, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Race Relations Education Award. Judge Robertson has a Master of Education degree from Brock University, a Bachelor Education degree from University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Mississauga, in August 2009, he was for a period of ten years president of the Canada – Poland Chamber of Commerce of Toronto. As a vice president, he co-created and managed the event Management Company staging annual ethnic festival at Ontario Place, managing trade exhibits and hosting trade. He founded and co-managed a consulting practice in the field of immigration and served two terms as a member of the Community Reference Group on Ethno-Racial and Aboriginal Access to Metropolitan Toronto Inc. Services advising Metro Toronto administration on wide range of municipal issues. He currently serves as a member of the Chief of Toronto Police Advisory Council and as Chairman of the Board of Canada – Poland Chamber of Commerce of Toronto. As an associate producer he is in charge of the production team creating two Polish language weekly TV shows, airing on OMNI TV channels.
Judge Sniegowski holds a Master of Administration from the Department of Law and Administration of The Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland.
Judge Springate was appointed Senior Citizenship Judge in October 2008. He served as a Citizenship Judge in Montreal from December 1999 to March 2005 and returned in November 2006. Earlier in his career, Judge Springate joined the Montreal Police Department where he became a spokesperson for the department, and was seen daily on CFCF‑TV for eight years. After his career as a police officer, Judge Springate became a member of the Quebec National Assembly, where he served three terms in office. While fulfilling his electoral responsibilities, he became a founding member of the Police Technology Department at John Abbott College, where he was a tenured professor in civil and criminal law. He was also a team member of the Montreal Alouettes, and played on the 1970 Grey Cup winning team. Judge Springate is a member of the Order of Canada, and has a Bachelor of Arts, (Psychology) from Sir George Williams University and a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Bachelor of Laws from McGill University. He was subsequently awarded a Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa.
Appointed Citizenship Judge based in Vancouver in September 2009, he is a Canadian social historian who has served as the first Chief Herald of Canada from 1988-2007 in the Office of the Governor General. He was previously Director of the Vancouver Museum, and the city of Vancouver Archivist. Judge Watt has served in several areas of heritage preservation and on the boards of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, the International Academy of Heraldy, the B.C. Museums Association, and the Vancouver Historical Society. He was also president of the Bureau permanent des congrès internationaux des sciences généalogique et héraldique. He has written, published and lectured extensively in Canada and internationally on Canadian heraldry, Canadian social history and material culture, notably historic Canadian stained glass, museum and archival studies and genealogy. Appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) he is also an Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John and received the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. Judge Watt holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from Carleton University.
Appointed Citizenship Judge in Calgary in October 2008, she has devoted most of her life to volunteering in her community, local schools, and church. She has held numerous positions of leadership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most recently, she was President of the Relief Society Organization, an organization of over 100 women who help service the needs of various charitable and volunteer organizations including the Calgary Food Bank, Cancer Society and the Calgary Homeless Shelter. Judge Way was also President of the Children’s Primary Association and the Young Women’s Association. She has worked in the oil sector, and in the public school system utilizing her degree in library sciences and taught English as a Second Language program for new immigrants. She has been a host to students from around the world in her home and received service awards for dedication in the school. Judge Way holds a Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics from the University of Calgary and a Masters in Library and Information Sciences from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Mississauga, in November 2006, she is a long-time volunteer in her community, having given her talents and time to serve as a Director of Carassauga, Mississauga’s Festival of Cultures, a committee member of the Cancer Prevention Forum, a Steering Committee member and Director of the Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals and Businesses, and a Director of the Chinese Community Advisory Committee of Credit Valley Hospital. She has received many awards for her work as a volunteer, including the Toronto Canada Committee Award, the City of Mississauga Volunteer Award, and the Citizenship and Immigration Canada International Year of Volunteer Award. She is a recipient of Chinese Canadian Legend Award 2009. Judge Yung-Fung possesses a TESL Ontario Certificate and has been an International Language Instructor for the Peel Board of Education, and an ESL and Citizenship teacher for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Judge Yung-Fung graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Management Studies.