Before joining bench, he practised criminal law in Peace River for 20 years
The Alberta government has announced the appointment of Robert Marceau as the new assistant chief justice for the northern region of the Alberta Court of Justice as of Jan. 1, 2026.
Mickey Amery, Alberta’s justice minister and attorney general, and James Hunter, the Alberta Court of Justice chief justice, welcomed Marceau to the role in a news release from the provincial government.
“Justice Marceau brings years of experience and leadership to his new role as Assistant Chief Justice,” Amery said in the news release.
The provincial government shared that Marceau’s appointment reflects not only his extensive judicial experience but also his deep commitment and long-standing public service to Alberta’s northern communities, as well as his knowledge of the unique opportunities and obstacles arising in the province’s northern areas.
“His thoughtful approach and commitment to justice will continue to serve the Court and Albertans well,” Chief Justice Hunter said in the news release.
The provincial government explained that Marceau’s appointment aims to enhance court capacity, ensure timely proceedings, improve access to justice for Albertans residing in the north, and advance the province’s commitment to establishing a responsive and well-supported justice system for the benefit of all Albertans.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to Assistant Chief Justice Andrea Chrenek for her many years of outstanding service and her contributions to strengthening access to justice in northern Alberta and to the court as a whole,” Hunter said in the news release.
More on Marceau
The provincial government’s news release provided information regarding Marceau’s professional experience and educational background.
Since 2018, he has served as a justice in the Alberta Court of Justice’s northern region. Alberta noted that he will continue his career within that region while serving in his new leadership position.
Currently, Marceau delivers his judicial duties from the court’s Slave Lake location, chairs the court’s Articling Student Committee, and sits on the board of the Alberta Provincial Judges Association.
Before his appointment to the bench, he practised criminal law in Peace River for two decades. Within that time, he served as an agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for 10 years, as managing partner at Mathieu Hryniuk LLP for seven years, and as a mentor for multiple articling students.
Marceau obtained his LLB degree from the University of Alberta in 1998.
Judicial appointments
According to the provincial government, since June 2023, it has issued 35 judicial appointments, including Marceau’s appointment as an assistant chief justice.
Alberta’s news release noted that the court’s different regions and divisions have nine assistant chief justices, who work in consultation with the chief justice to set court sittings and fulfill functions that the chief justice has delegated.
The provincial government explained that a lawyer who has been a member of the Alberta bar for at least a decade can apply for the role of justice at the Alberta Court of Justice. The Alberta Judicial Council and the Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee review the applications before recommending appointments to Alberta’s justice minister and cabinet.
