The Government of British Columbia has appointed a new judge to support timely and efficient access to justice.

Colleen Spier will be appointed a judge, effective July 7, 2025. Spier will be assigned by the judiciary to Nanaimo Provincial Court to assist with increased pressures the courthouse is experiencing and relieve delays.

Spier graduated from the University of British Columbia faculty of law in April 2007. Most recently, Spier worked as the assistant deputy minister of the Indigenous justice secretariat at the Ministry of Attorney General.

Spier has a strong background in family law, child protection and mediation. In 2007, Spier served as a judicial clerk in the Provincial Court’s externship program. In her role as assistant deputy minister, Spier worked with the Provincial Court’s Indigenous justice initiatives, including Indigenous sentencing courts.

Awards that recognize Spier’s contributions to the legal profession include the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025, King’s Counsel designation in 2023 and the Susanna Jani award supporting excellence in mediation in 2022.

Judicial appointments are made by considering various factors, such as the court's requirements, the diversity of the judiciary and the candidate’s areas of expertise.

The Province is committed to expanding the justice system and enhancing access to services for people in British Columbia.

Quick Facts:

• The process to appoint judges involves the following steps:
  • interested lawyers apply, and the Judicial Council of B.C. – a statutory body made up of the chief judge, an associate chief judge, other judges, lawyers and members from outside the legal profession – reviews the candidates;
  • the council recommends potential judges to the Attorney General, with the final appointment made through a cabinet order-in-council.
• Although judges and judicial justices are located in a judicial region, many use technology such as videoconferencing for court proceedings.
• Judges also travel regularly throughout the province to meet changing demands.

Learn More:

For information about the judicial appointment process, visit: www.provincialcourt.bc.ca