Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces judicial appointments in the province of Ontario

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 30, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

Tina H. Lie, Partner at Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP in Toronto, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Toronto. Justice Lie replaces Justice P.J. Cavanagh (Toronto), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective October 25, 2026.

Rahat Godil, Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP in Toronto, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Newmarket. Justice Godil replaces Justice K.L. Campbell (Toronto), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective June 15, 2026. The Chief Justice has transferred Justice J. Cameron (Newmarket) into this vacancy.  The vacancy is therefore located in Newmarket.

Quote

"I wish Justices Lie and Godil every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Ontario well as members of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario."

-- The Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Biographies

Justice Tina H. Lie was born in Scarborough. She is proud to be the daughter of immigrants and a second generation Chinese Canadian. She graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science in 2003 and obtained her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees from McGill University in 2006. After clerking for the Justices of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, she was admitted to the Ontario bar and New York State bar in 2007.

Justice Lie practiced at Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP in Toronto, where she was actively involved in mentorship and firm management. Early in her career, she worked as a staff lawyer on the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario, and she later served as counsel on the Motherisk Hair Analysis Independent Review. She had a broad litigation practice with a focus on administrative law, employment law and commercial litigation, appearing before various administrative tribunals and all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Justice Lie was recognized by Lexpert, Benchmark Litigation, and Best Lawyers Canada. As a member of the bar, she recognized the importance of community and representation, often acting as a mentor to lawyers and students, and presenting at continuing professional development programs.

Justice Rahat Godil is part of the first generation of women in her family to go to university and the only one to pursue law. She received her Honours Bachelor of Business Administration in 2002 from the University of Toronto and was the top graduating student in her program. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto in 2006 and was admitted to the Ontario bar in 2007.

Justice Godil worked over the last twenty years at two top-tier national firms - Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. She maintained a diverse litigation and dispute resolution practice focusing on contractual, civil, and commercial disputes. She appeared before all levels of court as well as domestic and international arbitral tribunals and has been repeatedly recognized for her commercial arbitration advocacy and expertise.

Justice Godil has spearheaded programs and initiatives impacting women and racialized lawyers and contributed to the work of South Asian Bar Association and Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association. She participated in continuing education programs, professional speaking engagements and teaching activities, including serving as a faculty member for The Advocates' Society and Osgoode Professional Development's Annual Course on Written Advocacy and a guest lecturer for the Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society's Gold Standard Course on Commercial Arbitration.

Quick facts

• Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
• The Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada play a key role in evaluating judicial applications. There are 17 Judicial Advisory Committees, with each province and territory represented.

SOURCE Department of Justice Canada

Contacts: For more information, media may contact: Joannie Fogue, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 613-297-2431, [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]