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

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 8, 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.

Paul J. Mongenais, Partner at Perras Mongenais in Kapuskasing, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Sudbury. Justice Mongenais replaces Justice A.J. Goodman (Hamilton), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective October 30, 2025. Due to internal court transfers by the Chief Justice, the vacancy is located in Sudbury.

Peter D. Ruby, Partner at Goodmans LLP in Toronto, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Toronto. Justice Ruby replaces Justice D.E. Harris (Toronto), who was elevated to the Court of Appeal for Ontario effective September 28, 2026

Quote

"I wish Justices Mongenais and Ruby 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 Paul J. Mongenais is a graduate of the University of Ottawa in economics and law. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995.

Justice Mongenais has been a partner of Perras Mongenais, in Kapuskasing, since its inception. He has mainly practised family law, with a keen interest in parenting cases (often accepting legal aid certificates), along with some civil litigation and estates law.  He has been certified as a Specialist in family law since 2004. He has mostly appeared before the Superior Court of Justice, but also before the Ontario Court, the Divisional Court, and the Ontario Court of Appeal. 

Justice Mongenais has served as a Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court since 2017.  He has organized or contributed to numerous legal education programs over the years, with a focus on producing French content.  He is very involved in the community, for example, by serving on numerous committees and boards, including the Grand-Nord Legal Clinic, participating in a community band and choir, and organizing and /or coaching numerous children's activities.

Justice Peter D. Ruby was raised in Montreal and moved to Toronto to attend Osgoode Hall Law School, where he earned his LL.B. and LL.M. degrees. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996.

After serving as a law clerk with the Federal Court of Canada, Justice Ruby practiced law for 30 years, including 26 years with Goodmans LLP. His practice focused on commercial litigation and arbitration, insolvency litigation, and administrative law disputes, often involving technology-related issues. He appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, the Federal Courts, the Supreme Court of Canada, and numerous tribunals across the country.

Justice Ruby was an active contributor to legal education, teaching internet law for many years at Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. He also lectured extensively in Canada and internationally on technology law and other legal topics. In 2023-2024, he served as President of the International Technology Law Association. He was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and co-chair of the North America Committee of the Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Association. He also served as an arbitrator and mediator, as a roster member of Arbitration Place and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution.

Justice Ruby maintains a wide range of active interests. His greatest joy comes from his spouse, two adult children, and his extended family and circle of friends.

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]