O’Bonsawin is part of the indigenous Abenaki community. She has previously served as a judge in Ontario. She specialized in mental health and human rights during her career.
“As an Indigenous woman growing up in Northern Ontario, I have come to see the need for committed individuals to give a strong and representative voice to those who cannot speak for themselves,” she said in her cover letter. written.
O’Bonsawin is also fluent in English and French. Prime Minister Trudeau had promised to take this into account, as the use of French in Canada continues to decline.
It is the second high-profile nomination in a row to the Canadian Supreme Court. Last year, Mahmud Jamal was the first non-white judge to be appointed.