The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment 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.
Shannon B. Mason, Managing Lawyer of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Conflict Office in Sydney, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Sydney. Justice Mason replaces Justice K.C. Haley (Sydney), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective February 12, 2023.
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"I wish Justice Mason every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve the people of Nova Scotia well as a member of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia."
-The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Shannon B. Mason obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, double major in Political Science and English, from Cape Breton University in 2000. She obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2003 from the University of New Brunswick. She was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2004.
Justice Mason started her legal career in private practice with H.F. MacIntyre & Associates. In 2005, she accepted a position with Nova Scotia Legal Aid (NSLA), practicing family law and criminal law. She became the Managing Lawyer of the NSLA Conflict Office in 2014 and was awarded the designation of senior staff counsel in 2022. She has practiced child protection law almost exclusively since 2014. She has served as Chair of NSLA's Children and Family Services Act Best Practices Committee. She has appeared in all levels of court in Nova Scotia.
Justice Mason has been an active member of the legal community. At the time of her appointment, she was serving her second term on the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society (NSBS) Council. She also sat on the NSBS Complaints Investigation Committee, the Professional Standards (Family Law) Committee, and the Distinguished Service Award Committee. She was also an active member of the Cape Breton Barristers' Society, having served as a past President. She also sat on the Supreme Court Family Division Liaison Committee, the Court Administration Collaboration Committee, and the Library Committee.
Justice Mason has been a long-standing board member of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Cape Breton.
