Born and raised in northern Ontario, Karen Pritchard will take on new role as judge after being appointed to Ontario Superior Court of Justice, replacing outgoing Justice Brian DeLorenzi
A new federal judicial appointment has been announced in Sault Ste. Marie to fill a vacancy on the bench that has lasted more than a year.
Assistant Crown attorney Karen Pritchard was among judicial appointments announced today by Sean Fraser, Canada’s minister of justice and attorney general of Canada.
In the same announcement, Ottawa-based Robert Wadden was named to the bench to serve Cornwall.
“I wish Justices Wadden and Pritchard every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Ontario well as members of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario,” said Fraser in a news release.
Born and raised in northern Ontario, Pritchard began her career as assistant Crown attorney in Kitchener and Sarnia. She has served assistant Crown attorney for the District of Algoma since 2013 and, since 2024, acted as the North Region Crown on the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Sexual Violence Advisory Group.
“Justice Pritchard has made significant contributions to public service, legal education and mentorship. As a lawyer, she acted as a Law Society of Ontario articling principal and delivered extensive educational programming to police, prosecutors, sexual assault nurse examiners, probation officers and victim support organizations,” said the Department of Justice Canada in a news release.
“She has collaborated with justice system and community partners, including the Canadian Mental Health Association Justice Program and the John Howard Society. She also supported the establishment of the Gweyek Ji Bimoseng (Walking the Straight Road) Restorative Justice Program.”
Pritchard lives in Sault Ste. Marie.
The appointment of Pritchard serves to replace Justice Brian DeLorenzi, who resigned on March 31, 2025.
The Governor General makes federal judicial appointments in Canada, acting on advice from the federal cabinet and recommendations from the minister of justice.