Saint Mary's

Constance R. Glube

Doctor of Laws

The Honourable Constance R. Glube, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, has pioneered the role of women in the Canadian judiciary. Glube was conferred a Doctor of Laws honoris causa by Saint Mary's.

Born in Ottawa, Her Honour received a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University. In 1956, she was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar. Throughout her career, she has received a number of honours and recognitions. She holds two honorary degrees, a LL.D. from Dalhousie Law School (1983) and a L.H.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University. Three years ago, she received the Francis Fish Award, Women Lawyers Achievement.

Her Honour has been a Barrister and Solicitor with the law firm of Kitz Matheson, and partner in the law firm of Fitzgerald and Glube. She has served as Solicitor in the Legal Department of the then City of Halifax, and became the first women in Canada to hold the position as City Manager for Halifax. In 1977, she was appointed Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (formerly trial division) and ex-officio member of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal making her the first woman on the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. In November 1982, she was appointed Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia making her the first female Chief Justice in Canada. In 1998, she was appointed the Chief Justice, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. She was the first woman on a federally appointed court in Nova Scotia and the 15th woman as a federally appointed judge in Canada when she went to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in 1977.

She has served on a large number of Boards and Advisory Committees over the years. Today she serves as a member of the Canadian Judicial Council, Judicial Education Committee, and National Judicial Institute.