Carney names Alan Diner as new Federal Court chief justice

Advertisement

Advertise with us

OTTAWA - Justice Alan Diner is the new Federal Court chief justice, replacing Paul Crampton who retired at the end of October. 

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

OTTAWA – Justice Alan Diner is the new Federal Court chief justice, replacing Paul Crampton who retired at the end of October. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Diner’s appointment in a news release Monday. 

The new chief justice takes on a leadership role as a growing case backlog, primarily driven by immigration issues, strains court resources. 

A sign for Federal Court is pictured in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A sign for Federal Court is pictured in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

About 6,400 immigration cases were brought to Federal Court in 2020, a figure in line with the trend over the previous decade. The caseload spiked sharply in 2021, when 9,700 cases were sent to the court.

More than 28,000 cases were filed with the court last year, the vast majority of the almost 33,000 cases launched in the court in 2025. 

More than 6,600 immigration proceedings began in the first quarter of 2026. Just under 8,000 proceedings began in that time period in the entire Federal Court. 

Diner was named a Federal Court judge in June 2014 and he specialized in immigration law in Ontario before he was called to the bench. 

Diner practised immigration and administrative law with firms in both Toronto and Ottawa in his private practice career and received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his pro bono and community service work. 

Diner later worked for the government of Ontario and played a crucial role in launching the province’s immigrant nominee program.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2026.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Canada

LOAD CANADA ARTICLES