News Release

For Immediate Release
May 6, 2005

New Judges To Preside In Barrie And Orillia

TORONTO — Attorney General Michael Bryant announced the appointment of Michael Harpur and Robert McCreary as judges to the Ontario Court of Justice.

"I have every confidence that these experienced individuals will contribute greatly to the administration of justice," said Bryant. "These appointments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the justice system. "

Mr. Justice Harpur was called to the Bar in 1980, and since then has been in private practice, in both civil and criminal law. Most recently, he was a partner with Smith Lyons, and Gowling, Lafleur, Henderson in Toronto. He was appointed counsel to a panel of the Environmental Assessment Review Board from 1992 to 1994. Mr. Justice Harpur has published papers on several legal topics, mentored young lawyers and has performed volunteer work in the community.

Called to the Bar in 1977, Mr. Justice McCreary was in private practice until 1989, focusing on criminal and family law. In 1990, he became an assistant Crown attorney in Barrie until 2001 when he joined the Newmarket office as the Crown attorney. Mr. Justice McCreary has spoken about the justice system to high school students and participated in conferences on various aspects of the law. He has been involved with the Simcoe County mock trial program.

Chief Justice Brian W. Lennox has assigned Mr. Justice Harpur to preside in Barrie and Mr. Justice McCreary to preside in Orillia, effective May 18, 2005.

Bryant has appointed 31 judges since the McGuinty government was sworn in on October 23, 2003.

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