Albertans deserve to have confidence in their justice system and know it has the resources it needs to help protect them and their communities. Filling vacancies in the justice system will increase court capacity and ensure Albertans can resolve civil, criminal and family matters faster.

Alberta’s government is appointing Sara L. Bagg as a justice for the Calgary Criminal Division/Calgary Region, Jason W. Cowan as a justice for the Southern Region, and Susanne Stushnoff, KC, as a justice for the Edmonton Civil Division. With these new appointments, Alberta’s government has appointed nine justices and three assistant chief justices this year alone.

Alberta’s government is also appointing Michael R.A. Meredith as a part-time justice of the peace in Calgary and Wanda L. Rumball as a full-time justice of the peace in Calgary. These appointments will help Albertans get timely access to justice in traffic court and hearing offices.

“Alberta’s government is keeping its commitment to filling vacancies at the Alberta Court of Justice. We will continue to strengthen the capacity of our courts to ensure Albertans can get timely access to justice. I congratulate each of these appointees and am confident they will excel in their new roles.”

Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

“The court is very pleased by the appointments announced today. The experience and qualifications of the individuals named will enhance their respective divisions and the court as a whole in improving access to justice for all Albertans.”

James Hunter, Chief Justice, Alberta Court of Justice

Judicial appointments

Sara L. Bagg received a master of arts from Concordia University in 2001, a bachelor of laws from the University of Calgary in 2006, and a doctor of philosophy from the University of Calgary in 2013.  She worked as an instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law and as an associate at Miller Thomson LLP in Calgary, and she has been serving as a full-time justice of the peace in Alberta since 2017. Her appointment to the Calgary Criminal Division/Calgary Region takes effect Dec. 17, 2024.

Jason W. Cowan received a juris doctor from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 2008. He has been working in the Medicine Hat Crown Prosecutors’ Office since January 2012, and was made Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor in July 2021. In November 2024, he was promoted to Acting Chief Crown Prosecutor, Regional Prosecutions South. He worked as an associate in a law firm prior to joining the Crown Prosecutors’ Office. His appointment to the Southern Region takes effect Dec. 16, 2024.

Susanne Stushnoff, KC, received a bachelor of laws from the University of Victoria in 1989, a master of business administration from Athabasca University in 2015, and a master of laws from Osgoode Hall, York University in September 2022. She has been an Assistant Deputy Minister at Alberta Justice, Legal Services Division, since 2022 and served as acting Deputy Minister and Deputy Attorney General from March 2023 to January 2024. She held roles of increasing responsibility in Alberta Justice from January 2006 to May 2022, including the role of registrar at the Court of Appeal of Alberta. Prior to joining Alberta’s government, she worked in several roles, including legal counsel and mediator in private practice. Her appointment to the Edmonton Civil Division takes effect Jan. 21, 2025.

Justice of the peace appointments

Michael R. A. Meredith received a bachelor of laws from the University of New Brunswick in 2005. He has owned his practice, Meredith Law, since 2015 after working at several legal firms since 2006. From 2017 to 2021, he also worked at the City of Calgary’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. His appointment takes effect Jan. 13, 2025.

Wanda L. Rumball received her bachelor of laws from the University of Calgary in 1995. She currently owns her own law firm, W. Rumball Professional Corporation, specializing in tax for more than 20 years. She previously worked as a partner in KPMG Law LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. Her appointment takes effect Dec. 16, 2024.

Quick facts

  • Applications for justices and justices of the peace are reviewed by the Alberta Judicial Council and Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee, and then recommended to the minister of justice and cabinet for appointment.
  • In 2022, Alberta’s government created four new judicial positions in the Alberta Court of Justice, and three more judicial positions in 2023 for a total of 143 justice positions.

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