Pierre Blais, born on December 30, 1948, is a distinguished Canadian jurist whose career spans law, politics, and the judiciary. He has made significant contributions to the legal landscape of Canada, serving as a lawyer and politician before ascending to the bench.
His notable tenure as Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal culminated in his retirement in June 2014, marking a pivotal chapter in his judicial career. Blais's expertise and leadership were further recognized when he was appointed chairman of the Security Intelligence Review Committee on May 1, 2015, by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
During his time with the SIRC, Blais succeeded Interim Chair Deborah Grey and played a crucial role in overseeing national security matters. However, the committee was dissolved on July 19, 2019, leading to the establishment of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency. Blais continued to serve as a member of the NSIRA until his term concluded on May 1, 2020.