High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Formed in 1875 by Governor General of Canada The Earl of Dufferin, on the advice of his Canadian Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie, the Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and, since 1949, has been the final court of appeal in the Canadian justice system. The court is composed of nine judges: eight Puisne Justices and the Chief Justice of Canada. Three of the nine positions must be held by judges who are members of the Bar of Quebec. Traditionally, three of the judges are appointed from Ontario, two from the four western provinces, and one from the Atlantic provinces. Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Cabinet. To be eligible for a justice position, one must have been a judge of a superior court, or a member of the bar for ten or more years. A Supreme Court justice, as with all federal judges, may sit on the bench only until the age of 75 years. Beverley McLachlin is the current Chief Justice and is the first woman to hold this position.