Edith Campbell has been appointed as a judge for the Yukon Supreme Court, the federal government announced this morning.

“It’s a great addition to our bench,” Yukon Justice Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee told reporters this morning in Whitehorse just after the announcement was made.

She noted Campbell is the first female judge to be appointed to the territory’s top court.

Campbell also speaks both official languages.

Having a fully bilingual judge will serve the Yukon well, McPhee said.

Currently, judges have to be brought in from Outside when there are cases to be heard in French, she noted.

The federal Justice Laws website lists the annual salaries for Yukon Supreme Court at $344,000 for the court’s senior judge and $314,100 for the other judges.

A press release notes Campbell, originally from Quebec, has spent much of her career with in the public prosecution service of Canada (PPSC) after earning her law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1996.

“Possessing an interest in constitutional (Charter) and criminal law, Justice Campbell chose a career path within the public service,” it’s noted.

“As a result of this decision, she feels very fortunate to have had the opportunity to appear before courts in many areas of the country, including two territories and five provinces.”

From 1996 to 2010, Campbell worked with both the Quebec and Yukon regional offices of the PPSC as well as the PPSC’s Competition Law Section.

During that time, she handled criminal matters throughout the Yukon.

She spent time in circuit court in Pelly Crossing, Carmacks, Watson Lake and other communities.

Campbell then transitioned her practice area from criminal prosecution to civil litigation, conducting files for the PPSC’s Atlantic regional office and the northern regional office of the Department of Justice Canada.

“Throughout her career, she has litigated at both the trial and appellate court levels,” it’s noted.

Campbell moved to the Yukon for the first time in 2003.

She then spent time practising in other parts of the country before moving to Whitehorse with her family in 2013.

“Her volunteer experience in the Yukon includes serving as a school trustee and vice-president of the Yukon Francophone School Board,” the press release states.

“In addition to being a busy mother, she enjoys spending time outdoors, especially when she is mountain biking or alpine skiing.”

In March 2017, it was announced that another judge would be appointed to the Yukon Supreme Court to complement current senior Justice Ron Veale and Justice Leigh Gower.

“New legislation, population growth, more people representing themselves in court and an increased number of judgment settlement conferences have all increased the workload of the court,” McPhee said at the time.

“The proposed appointment of a new Supreme Court justice will give us much-needed local capacity.”

Campbell’s was the second major federal appointment for the Yukon to be announced in six days.

Last Friday, Angélique Bernard – also originally from Quebec – was named the territory’s new commissioner.

The Yukon’s Senate seat remains vacant following the August 2017 resignation of Conservative Dan Lang.