The Honourable Sheilah L. Martin announces her retirement from the Supreme Court of Canada
January 13, 2026 · Judicial work
The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, announces that Justice Sheilah L. Martin has notified the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, of her retirement from the Supreme Court of Canada effective May 30, 2026.
“Justice Martin is widely respected for the depth of her legal scholarship, her commitment to fairness, and her principled approach to justice,” said Chief Justice Wagner. “She has made remarkable contributions to Canadian jurisprudence and her commitment to education has carried over into her career on the bench. She is the first Supreme Court judge that I swore in as Chief Justice of Canada and I have always appreciated her enthusiasm in supporting initiatives that promote openness, transparency and meaningful engagement with Canadians. Her colleagues and I wish her a very happy retirement.”
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served Canadians on our nation’s apex court. It has been an honour and a highlight of my professional life,” said Justice Martin. “I am forever thankful for the precious opportunity it provided to better understand the richness and diversity of the people in our country and the laws and institutions that allow us to live together with respect, dignity and equality. I have taken seriously the need for a strong and independent judiciary to address issues of national importance, safeguard the Constitution and promote the rule of law. Over the years, I was always happy to take part in the Court’s many outreach initiatives and to participate in a broad array of educational endeavours.”