Saskatchewan Provincial Court: Darin Chow, Roger DeCorby, Alexandra Findlay New Judges

• Five new judges have been appointed to the Saskatchewan Provincial Court: Darin Chow (Moose Jaw), Roger DeCorby (Yorkton), Alexandra Findlay (Saskatoon), Suzanne Lalonde (Regina), and Jason Peszko (Prince Albert).
• Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan's Justice Minister, stated these appointments will enhance the court's strength and capacity, supporting fair and accessible justice.
• Darin Chow previously served as a judge in both the General and Family Divisions of the Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench and practiced various areas of law.
• Roger DeCorby has a long career with the Ministry of Justice, prosecuting serious offenses and chairing the National Flagging System for high-risk offenders.
• Alexandra Findlay focused on criminal law and complex litigation for Public Prosecutions, while Suzanne Lalonde specialized in criminal defence at Legal Aid Saskatchewan and served as a bencher for the Law Society.

The strategic placement of these new judges across key locations like Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert is designed to enhance access to justice and reinforce the court's presence throughout Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Provincial Court is set to welcome five new judges, significantly enhancing its judicial capacity across the province. These appointments include Darin Chow, who will serve in Moose Jaw; Roger DeCorby, assigned to Yorkton; Alexandra Findlay, taking a seat in Saskatoon; Suzanne Lalonde, designated for Regina; and Jason Peszko, who will preside in Prince Albert. This expansion of the bench underscores a commitment to strengthening the justice system.

Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan's Justice Minister and Attorney General, emphasized the profound dedication of these new judges to legal principles, public service, and the communities they serve. He noted that these Saskatchewan judicial appointments are expected to bolster the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan's overall strength and operational capacity, thereby promoting fair, accessible, and effective justice for all residents. The addition of these experienced legal professionals aims to ensure the court can continue to meet the demands of the province's legal landscape.

Among the new appointees, Darin Chow brings a wealth of judicial experience to the Saskatchewan Provincial Court in Moose Jaw. Prior to this role, Chow served as a judge in the General Division of the Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench, where he was the resident justice in Moose Jaw. His earlier judicial tenure included a period as a resident judge in Regina within the Family Division of the Court of King's Bench. Chow initially joined the Saskatchewan Provincial Court in May 2012, serving as a resident judge in Yorkton until November 2013 before transitioning to the Court of King's Bench. Before his judicial career, he was a partner at Chow McLeod (formerly Chow & Company) from 1997 to 2012, specializing in criminal, family, administrative, and real estate law, alongside arbitration and civil litigation. His extensive background also includes chairing the Moose Jaw Mental Health Review Panel and the Five Hills Health Region Review Panel from 2009 to 2012, and membership on Saskatchewan's roster of labour arbitrators. In 2011, he held the position of vice chair for the Saskatchewan Police Commission. Chow was designated King's Counsel in 2008, admitted to the Saskatchewan bar in 1995, and earned his LLB from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 1994.

Roger DeCorby, appointed to Yorkton, has a long-standing career within Saskatchewan's Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, which he joined in 1998. His professional journey has involved prosecuting serious Criminal Code offenses, leading specialized units, and mentoring junior legal professionals. DeCorby also directed the province's High Risk Offender Program and, since 2017, has chaired the National Flagging System, a collaborative federal-provincial-territorial initiative focused on managing high-risk violent offenders across Canada. Before his ministry work, he practiced in rural Saskatchewan after completing his articles with Gauley and Company in Regina. DeCorby received his King's Counsel designation in 2022, was admitted to the provincial bar in 1992, and obtained his LLB from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 1991.

Alexandra Findlay, who will serve in Saskatoon, joined Public Prosecutions at Saskatchewan's Ministry of Justice and Attorney General in 2014. Her practice has focused on criminal law, complex litigation, and prosecutorial decision-making, often involving close collaboration with vulnerable and marginalized populations throughout the province. Findlay articled with the Smith Valeriote Law Firm in Guelph, Ontario, and holds an LLM from the University of New South Wales (2011), an Ontario bar admission from 2010, and an LLB from the University of Western Ontario (2009).

Suzanne Lalonde, appointed to Regina, has been a staff lawyer at Legal Aid Saskatchewan since 2008, concentrating on criminal defence and representing individuals facing complex challenges. Her commitment to the legal community extends to the Law Society of Saskatchewan, where she has served as a bencher since 2018, including terms as president and vice president. Lalonde has also volunteered with organizations such as Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan and the John Howard Society. She received a King's Counsel designation in 2023, was admitted to the Saskatchewan bar in 2001, and earned her LLB from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2000. Jason Peszko, assigned to Prince Albert, brings decades of experience in trial and appellate litigation, encompassing criminal defence, real estate, wills and estates, tax enforcement, municipal law, and corporate and commercial law, having appeared before numerous courts and tribunals.

These new judges, including Darin Chow, Roger DeCorby, and Alexandra Findlay, represent a significant infusion of talent and experience into the Saskatchewan Provincial Court. Their diverse backgrounds in criminal law, civil litigation, public prosecution, and legal aid reflect the broad scope of cases handled by the court. The appointments of Suzanne Lalonde and Jason Peszko further diversify the court's expertise, ensuring a comprehensive approach to justice.

The strategic placement of these new judges across key locations like Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert is designed to enhance access to justice and reinforce the court's presence throughout Saskatchewan. The Provincial Court of Saskatchewan appointments are crucial for maintaining an efficient and robust judicial system, capable of addressing the legal needs of communities statewide.

Lawyers practicing in Saskatchewan should be aware of these new judicial appointments to the Provincial Court, understanding the backgrounds and assigned locations of Darin Chow, Roger DeCorby, Alexandra Findlay, Suzanne Lalonde, and Jason Peszko. This knowledge is crucial for anticipating judicial approaches, informing litigation strategy, and advising clients on proceedings before these specific judges.

Source: Original reporting via Canadian Lawyer