Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada		Ministere de la Justice et procureur général du Canada
The Honourable / L'honorable Irwin Cotler, P.C., O.C., M.P./c.p., o.c., député Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0H8

Mr. Mitchell Brownstein                                                                                     August 24, 2004
Brownstein, Brownstein & Associates
Attorneys
1310 Greene Avenue, Suite 750
Westmount, Québec, H3Z 2B2

Dear Mr. Brownstein:

Upon my initial appointment as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada in December 2003, I got off the ground running and haven't stopped since. My first months as a Cabinet Minister brought with it a charged agenda, a steep learning curve - even for one at "home" in Justice - and an ongoing set of challenges. From participation in Cabinet Committees, House of Commons Committees, Senate Committees, Caucus meetings, Question Period, House Duty, briefings on a myriad of legal issues - to traveling from coast to coast to engage in meetings with provincial counterparts, major justice stakeholders and a multitude of interest groups, it has been a compelling, stimulating and extremely rewarding set of experiences and involement.

Regrettably, I am only now getting around to responding to your very kind expression of congratulations upon my appointment to the Justice portfolio.

As a lawyer and law professor, there can be no greater honour and privilege than to be appointed Minister of Justice. I am deeply moved by the confidence that the Prime Minister has demonstrated in me with this appointment. As you know, the pursuit of justice, equality for all, and respect for human dignity have long been my passion.

Your words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.

Please accept my warmest personal regards.

Sincerely,

Irwin Cotler.