canada's longest-serving judge hangs up his judicial robes for the final time
while no official records are kept, it's believed stevenson's more than 50 years on the bench makes him the longest-sitting judge in canadian history
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brian stevenson has retired after a 50-year career as a judge in the courts system in calgary. he was photographed in calgary on aug. 13, 2009.
grant black/postmedia
if canadian judges used a gavel on the bench, calgary justice brian stevenson would have banged his for the last time on wednesday. instead, the popular jurist who has spent a record of five decades presiding over calgary criminal matters concluded court with words he has probably spoken countless times.
“if that’s all we have today i think we can adjourn,” stevenson told a crowded courtroom of members of the judicial system who gathered to see him on the bench for the last time.
“thank you very much,” he added, before getting a standing ovation.
while no official records are kept, it’s believed stevenson’s more than 50 years on the bench makes him the longest-sitting judge in canadian history.
after all, he’s spent almost a third of canada’s 157 years of existence presiding over proceedings in what was provincial court before it was renamed the court of justice.
stevenson, who is turning 85, was appointed a judge by then-premier peter lougheed on july 9, 1974.
he had been sitting as a supernumerary (or part-time) judge for several years, but due to shortages in the judiciary had remained one of the busiest jurists in calgary up to his final day.
colleagues, lawyers speak highly of stevenson
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one of stevenson’s judicial colleagues, justice eric tolppanen, spoke at the proceedings and noted the judge’s longevity with the judicial system.
“not a single alberta judge knows a time when he or she did not have you as a colleague,” tolppanen said.
“i’ll always regard being able to count you as a colleague as one of the privileges of my career.”
longtime defence counsel alain hepner spoke of stevenson’s exemplary reputation within the legal community.
“i want to thank you for the model you’ve been to all of us,” hepner said.
speaking on behalf of prosecutors, crown lawyer deborah jenkins spoke of a softer side of stevenson.
jenkins, who started her career in the judicial system as a courtroom clerk before going to law school said on her first day on the job he emerged from the elevator behind the courtroom with a handful of candies for her.
“i thought this is the nicest guy ever. he treats me like my dad,” jenkins said to laughter from the crowd.
‘proud to be a member of this court’
before adjourning court for a final time stevenson addressed the packed courtroom and lauded the work members of the calgary court of justice do.
“i’m proud to be a member of this court,” he said.
“it’s just a good place to work. i’m sorry to leave, but i have to.”
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his plans for retirement include a trip to ireland next spring to research his family’s genealogy.
“i’m worried about what i’ll find,” he joked.
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