Alberta’s government is moving quickly to fill the vacancies to strengthen Alberta’s justice system.

Each year the provincial court handles more than 100,000 criminal cases, 17,000 family and child protection cases, and about 10,000 civil cases. With locations in 72 communities, the provincial court is the most accessible and affordable court system in Alberta. 

“The Provincial Court of Alberta has served Albertans for more than a century, providing accessible and timely justice to all Albertans. Accordingly, the court will soon be renamed to reflect the court’s proper place in our society. These appointments and recent reforms demonstrate our commitment to properly resourcing Alberta’s justice system. I extend my congratulations to all appointees, who I am confident will bring a great deal of expertise and experience to the court.”

Tyler Shandro, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

“I would like to congratulate all those individuals who are being appointed to the Provincial Court of Alberta. These excellent appointees, from diverse backgrounds, will enhance the court’s ability to provide an accessible and timely system of justice for Albertans.”

Derek G. Redman, chief judge, Provincial Court of Alberta

Appointing judges and justices of the peace quickly is part of a strategy to continue to build a fairer, faster and more responsive court system. Other recent reforms include:

  • Introducing legislation in December 2022 to increase the civil claims limit for the provincial court for the first time since 2014.

  • Renaming Alberta’s provincial court to the Alberta Court of Justice, effective April 1, 2023.

  • Expanding the provincial court for the first time since 2018 in conjunction with filling existing vacancies, leading to the largest appointment of judges in Alberta’s history.

Judges’ biographies

Frank Bosscha, KC, who will serve in the Edmonton criminal division, received his bachelor of laws from the University of Victoria in 1990. After a number of senior leadership roles in Alberta’s justice department, he has served as its deputy minister for the last four years. Bosscha’s appointment starts March 27.

Indra L. Maharaj received a master of laws from the University of Manitoba in 2000, and one from the University of Calgary in 2018. She was admitted to the Manitoba bar in 1990 and the Alberta bar in 1997. Maharaj has been appointed to the Calgary criminal division and Calgary regional division, effective March 6.

Thomas D. Marriott, KC, received his bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta in 1988, and was admitted to the Alberta bar the next year. He practises mainly in utility regulation, municipal and administrative law, and professional liability and discipline. He has been appointed to the Edmonton criminal division, effective March 6.

Jordan J. Stuffco, who has been appointed to Edmonton regional division, received his juris doctor in 2003 from the University of Toronto. He was admitted to both the British Columbia bar and Alberta bar in 2004. His legal career primarily focused on criminal matters throughout central and northern Alberta. He has been lead counsel at Stuffco Law since 2012. He is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. His appointment is effective March 13.

Justices’ of the peace biographies

Craig T.A. McDougall, KC, received his bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta in 1993, and was admitted to the Alberta bar the next year. He practises corporate law, venture technology, intellectual property, and technology and information technology licensing and contracting. He has been appointed full time in Edmonton, effective May 8.

Alison Sabo, who will be a part-time justice of the peace in Calgary, received a bachelor of laws degree in 2003 from the University of Alberta, and was called to the Alberta bar in 2004. Sabo has been in-house counsel for the Alberta Utilities Commission for more than 10 years. She starts March 27.

Mathieu St-Germain, who was appointed a full-time justice of the peace in Calgary, received his law degree from the University of Ottawa and was admitted to the Quebec bar in 2006. He was legal counsel for the Calgary Police Service and, most recently, acting general counsel for the Medicine Hat Police Service. St-Germain begins this role March 27.

Kelly W. Wong received her bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta in 2008, and was admitted to the Alberta bar in 2009. Her legal practice primarily focuses on wills and estates, as well as real estate. She has been appointed part-time in Edmonton, effective March 27.

Quick facts

  • Lawyers with at least 10 years at the bar can apply to become a provincial court judge.

  • Lawyers with at least five years at the bar can apply to become a justice of the peace. Justice of the peace appointments are for 10 years.

  • Applications for judges and justices of the peace are considered first by the Alberta Judicial Council, which makes recommendations to the Provincial Court Nominating Committee.

  • The committee makes recommendations to the minister of justice and attorney general, who then makes recommendations to cabinet.