Prime Minister Mark Carney has nominated Glenn Joyal, the long-serving Chief Justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba, to join the Supreme Court of Canada.The appointment follows the retirement of Justice Sheilah Martin, who stepped down on May 30.

Joyal had previously sought a position on the country’s highest court and was widely regarded within the legal community as the leading candidate for the vacancy.

In announcing the nomination, Carney praised Joyal’s integrity, extensive experience, and sound judgment, describing him as well qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.Under Canada’s judicial appointment process, the Prime Minister has the final authority to select Supreme Court justices.

Although parliamentarians will participate in a public question-and-answer session with Joyal, the process does not involve a confirmation vote similar to that used in the United States.Throughout his judicial career, Joyal has developed expertise in criminal and constitutional law and has presided over significant Indigenous cases.He has also supported efforts to incorporate Indigenous legal traditions into Canadian court practices as part of broader reconciliation initiatives.

Legal observers noted that Joyal’s appointment is somewhat unusual because he is moving directly from a superior trial court rather than from a provincial court of appeal, which is the more common path to the Supreme Court.Earlier in 2026, legal scholars suggested that Joyal’s experience and intellectual credentials aligned well with the qualities valued by Carney.Joyal has also spoken publicly about the role of judges in defending judicial independence.

In a February speech, he argued that judges should not remain excessively silent when democratic institutions are challenged, citing recent instances in Alberta and Ontario where chief justices publicly responded to comments from provincial premiers regarding the judiciary.The federal government has not yet announced the exact date when Joyal will formally join the Supreme Court.