By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from The Canadian Press

Longest serving Chief Justice – and Pincher Creek native, to step down

Jun 13, 2017 | 7:19 AM

OTTAWA –  She is not only the first woman to hold the top job on the high court of Canada but, is also the country’s longest-serving chief justice.
 
There is also a local connection.
 
Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, who was born and raised in Pincher Creek, is stepping down from the Supreme Court of Canada in December after 28 years on the court.
 
McLachlin, the eldest of five children, was born in September 1943, and raised in the rural area around Pincher Creek.
 
The 74-year old McLachlin has spent almost 18 years on the Supreme Court as its chief and will leave on December 15th — about nine months before her legally mandated retirement on her 75th birthday.  She was sworn in as a justice of the Supreme Court in 1989 and was appointed chief justice 11 years later.
 
 McLachlin’s time at the court has seen a number of ground-breaking decisions on such issues as prostitution laws, physician assistance in dying, and a series of rulings that strengthened indigenous rights
 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has six months to fill the chief justice position.