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An evening to celebrate the career of the Honourable Paul S. Creaghan

Delta Beausejour Hotel, Moncton, New Brunswick, May 31, 2012

“An evening of friendship and collegiality within the legal profession to mark the retirement of the Honourable Paul S. Creaghan, one of New Brunswick’s most prominent and prolific jurists”

Paul S. Creaghan was married to Sandra Ann Fenwick (deceased) and has two children and five grandchildren. A native of Moncton, his professional experience and achievements always remained at the service of New Brunswickers.

He is a graduate of Saint Francis Xavier University (summa cum laude) and Dalhousie University Faculty of Law. He was admitted to the NB Bar in 1962 and engaged in private practice in Bathurst from 1962 to 1964 and then in Moncton from 1964 to 1974 and 1977 to 1978.

He was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 1970 and served until 1978 during which time he was appointed as Minister of Health (1970–1972), Minister of Economic Growth (1972–1974), Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1974–1977), Government House Leader (1974–1977), and Minister of Labour and Manpower (1977).

After leaving politics, he was appointed as Secretary and General Counsel to the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission. He was also a frequent lecturer at bar admission courses and law functions, and authored several papers for presentation to the legal community. He is Past President of the NB Branch of the Canadian Bar Association and Past Chairman of the Law Society’s Committee on Continuing Legal Education.

Paul S. Creaghan was appointed Judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench of New Brunswick for the Judicial District of Miramichi from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, he was appointed Judge of the Court’s Queen’s Bench of New Brunswick for the Judicial District of Moncton.

Hon. Justice Creaghan has presided over hundreds of cases, many of which were of high profile. His experience includes areas of criminal, civil, and family law. He also sat on as an ad hoc member of the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick.

In 2008, given his considerable experience with the healthcare system, he was named to head the Commission of Inquiry into Pathology Services at the Miramichi Regional Health Authority. He officially retired on March 31, 2012.

His principal interest outside of the fields of law and government is salmon fishing.


Order of Proceedings:


Master of Ceremonies: Michael J. Bray, Q.C., Registrar of the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick


Hon. Justice B. Richard Bell, Court of Appeal of New Brunswick


Greetings from the Attorney General of Canada, Hon. Marie-Claude Blais, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues


Marc-Antoine Chiasson, remarks on behalf of members of the Bar


Hon. Chief Justice David D. Smith, Court of Queen’s Bench of New Brunswick