BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY J’can Canadian Appointed Citizenship Judge
Janice Dayle
MONTREAL
On September 2, 2011, Veronica Mae Johnson presided over her first citizenship court ceremony at the City Hall of Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec. It was a day of celebration for not only Judge Johnson, but also the significant gathering of family and well-wishers in attendance for what doubled as the official robing ceremony of Judge Veronica Mae Johnson.
exemplary service
Born in Balaclava, St. Elizabeth, Judge Johnson migrated to Canada in 1968. On June 29, 2011 her exemplary service to regional and national communities in Canada was rewarded, when the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, the Jason Kenney announced her appointment as Citizenship Judge for a three year term. Citizenship Judges are the decision makers for issues pertaining to citizenship applications and they preside over citizenship ceremonies, administering the oath of citizenship to new Canadian citizens.
Making a shift from the halls of education to the halls of justice has been a smooth transition for the teacher of more than 30 years, who said, “Having been appointed to such a prestigious position, that is held by only 34 others in Canada, is indeed a great honourÉthe news filled me with tremendous joy and satisfaction.“
No stranger to career transitions, Judge Johnson initially majored in Economics and Political Science at Sir George Williams University, graduating with distinction in 1973. A former banker with CIBC Jamaica, since her post A Level days, she continued in that field at CIBC Montreal until deciding to embrace a career as an educator in order to spend more time with her growing family. Influenced by her mother and grandfather, who instilled the importance of reading at an early age, the bilingual Judge Johnson became a firm believer in the power of an educated mind and adopted a ‘life-long learning’ stance for herself; gaining a McGill University diploma in Education, a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language and a certificate in Educational Leadership in 1976, 1988 and 2011 respectively.
Holding fast to the principle that self esteem can be enhanced by educating students about their history, Judge Johnson introduced an innovative “Black Studies” option course at Place Cartier Adult Education Centre where she served as Assistant Centre Director. Judge Johnson also developed a penchant for assisting marginalized and struggling students. She offered them guidance in achieving their potential and supported their studies through a volunteer driven tutorial program she helped to initiate.
A fervent believer in equality, Veronica was appointed by the government of Canada to serve a three-year term on the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Another government appointment took the former Beurling Academy Vice-Principal to serve on the Refugee Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board for a five-year term.
Judge Johnson’s drive and strong sense of community has seen her contribute many years of service as Chairperson of the West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA) in the 1980’s and again in 2003. The multi-tasking mother of three successful daughters - a doctor, a lawyer and a journalist, has also been campaign manager since 1994, for her husband Errol Johnson, who is the City Councillor for Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec.
daughter’s graduation
At the robbing ceremony Judge Johnson spoke of a time in the year 2000 when she got the inspiration to seek the position of Citizenship Judge. A speaker at the her daughter’s graduation ceremony from the University of Windsor spoke of his experiences since his birth in 1918 to Jamaican parents who migrated to Canada in 1911. Judge Johnson said, “He spoke of being in the war, challenges regarding employment and the indignities he suffered while keeping hope alive - knowing what he had to offer Canada.” That speaker was eventually bestowed with the Order of Canada and went on to become a Citizenship Judge.
The entire Montreal community congratulates Judge Johnson on this high achievement.
MONTREAL
On September 2, 2011, Veronica Mae Johnson presided over her first citizenship court ceremony at the City Hall of Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec. It was a day of celebration for not only Judge Johnson, but also the significant gathering of family and well-wishers in attendance for what doubled as the official robing ceremony of Judge Veronica Mae Johnson.
exemplary service
Born in Balaclava, St. Elizabeth, Judge Johnson migrated to Canada in 1968. On June 29, 2011 her exemplary service to regional and national communities in Canada was rewarded, when the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, the Jason Kenney announced her appointment as Citizenship Judge for a three year term. Citizenship Judges are the decision makers for issues pertaining to citizenship applications and they preside over citizenship ceremonies, administering the oath of citizenship to new Canadian citizens.
Making a shift from the halls of education to the halls of justice has been a smooth transition for the teacher of more than 30 years, who said, “Having been appointed to such a prestigious position, that is held by only 34 others in Canada, is indeed a great honourÉthe news filled me with tremendous joy and satisfaction.“
No stranger to career transitions, Judge Johnson initially majored in Economics and Political Science at Sir George Williams University, graduating with distinction in 1973. A former banker with CIBC Jamaica, since her post A Level days, she continued in that field at CIBC Montreal until deciding to embrace a career as an educator in order to spend more time with her growing family. Influenced by her mother and grandfather, who instilled the importance of reading at an early age, the bilingual Judge Johnson became a firm believer in the power of an educated mind and adopted a ‘life-long learning’ stance for herself; gaining a McGill University diploma in Education, a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language and a certificate in Educational Leadership in 1976, 1988 and 2011 respectively.
Holding fast to the principle that self esteem can be enhanced by educating students about their history, Judge Johnson introduced an innovative “Black Studies” option course at Place Cartier Adult Education Centre where she served as Assistant Centre Director. Judge Johnson also developed a penchant for assisting marginalized and struggling students. She offered them guidance in achieving their potential and supported their studies through a volunteer driven tutorial program she helped to initiate.
A fervent believer in equality, Veronica was appointed by the government of Canada to serve a three-year term on the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Another government appointment took the former Beurling Academy Vice-Principal to serve on the Refugee Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board for a five-year term.
Judge Johnson’s drive and strong sense of community has seen her contribute many years of service as Chairperson of the West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA) in the 1980’s and again in 2003. The multi-tasking mother of three successful daughters - a doctor, a lawyer and a journalist, has also been campaign manager since 1994, for her husband Errol Johnson, who is the City Councillor for Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec.
daughter’s graduation
At the robbing ceremony Judge Johnson spoke of a time in the year 2000 when she got the inspiration to seek the position of Citizenship Judge. A speaker at the her daughter’s graduation ceremony from the University of Windsor spoke of his experiences since his birth in 1918 to Jamaican parents who migrated to Canada in 1911. Judge Johnson said, “He spoke of being in the war, challenges regarding employment and the indignities he suffered while keeping hope alive - knowing what he had to offer Canada.” That speaker was eventually bestowed with the Order of Canada and went on to become a Citizenship Judge.
The entire Montreal community congratulates Judge Johnson on this high achievement.
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