Most recently, he was PEI’s deputy minister of justice and public safety
The Prince Edward Island government has announced the appointment of Jonah Clements, who was most recently the province’s deputy minister of justice and public safety, as a new judge of the Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island as of June 3.
“As a long-time member of the PEI legal community, Judge Clements will bring a wealth of expertise to the provincial bench,” PEI Premier Rob Lantz said in a news release. “The perspectives he has gained as a lawyer, and within government will benefit all those affected by our provincial justice system.”
The PEI government appointed Clements as deputy minister of justice and public safety and deputy attorney general in May 2021.
“I appreciate his service through challenging times,” Lantz said. “I’d also like to extend my thanks to Denise Lewis Flemming and Michele Koughan who are retiring this summer after their long careers in the civil service. These three people have shown unwavering commitment to the well-being of Islanders as they have managed complex files over the years.”
Clements fills the vacancy left by Judge Nancy Orr, who elected to become a part-time judge.
In the provincial government’s news release, PEI Attorney General Bloyce Thompson thanked Orr for continuing to sit on the bench.
“She is truly a trailblazer,” Thompson said of Orr. “She was the province’s first female provincial court judge when she was appointed to the bench on August 17, 1995, and she has achieved many accomplishments since then.”
More on Clements
Before Clements’ appointment as deputy minister, he acted as general counsel for the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission.
He earned admission to the bar in 2013. He studied at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie and Carleton Universities. He also attended the Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, Germany.
In his new judicial role, Clements has jurisdiction over criminal cases and offences against provincial legislation.
An independent Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee – with representatives from the Canadian Bar Association’s PEI branch, the Law Society of PEI, and the chief judge – considers applicants for the role of provincial court judge.
With Clements joining the bench, Steve Dowling will serve as acting deputy minister of justice and public safety. Dowling is a lawyer who recently served as division director of financial and consumer services and superintendent of securities for the PEI government.
