Provincial court Judge Steven Merrick was formally welcomed to the Bench and to his new community, the Sunshine Coast, at a sometimes hilarious, frequently poignant ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the courthouse in Sechelt.
Several provincial and federal dignitaries were on hand to join family, friends and local politicians in welcoming the personable judge.
Provincial court Chief Judge Thomas Crabtree paid tribute to the tenacity of local people including a petitioning of Attorney General Mike de Jong in the role they played in securing a judge for the Sunshine Coast.
Merrick was frequently teased about his running prowess by several of the speakers including the time he thought he came sixth in a field of four runners at a race in Prince George. Turned out that two more racers registered after Merrick.
Also present at the ceremony were Merrick's wife Suzette; his parents from Manitoba; Chief Federal Prosecutor John Whyte; Gavin Hume QC, president of the Law Society of B.C.; Stephen McPhee, president of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association; Crown council Trevor Cockfield, representing the Attorney General of B.C.; and Merrick's friend and former colleague from Prince Rupert, Martin Griffith-Zahner.
In the midst of the fun, sincere good wishes were extended to the new judge.
Griffith-Zahner said Merrick "is going to be a spectacular addition to the Bench" and that Merrick's passion for helping individuals that found themselves in trouble with the court will bode well for the citizens of the Coast.
