Former Alberta premier Dave Hancock appointed a judge in provincial court

Hancock has been retired from politics since serving as interim premier in 2014 following the resignation of Alison Redford. (Photo By Dave Cournoyer – Flickr: Education Minister Dave Hancock, CC BY-SA 2.0)

EDMONTON— Former Alberta premier Dave Hancock has been named a provincial court judge.

Hancock, 62, is to serve on the bench adjudicating family and youth matters in Edmonton.

He said being a judge will be his third career after 18 years in politics and 18 years as a lawyer.

Hancock said he is eager to serve the public again and hopes to make a difference.

“I think justice has one of the more important impacts on society,” he said Tuesday in an interview.

“My service in government a lot of it was focused on strengthening families. If we can support children and families then most of the other issues of society can be handled.”

Hancock has been retired from politics since serving as interim premier in 2014 following the resignation of Alison Redford.

Hancock held many portfolios in his years in government with the Progressive Conservatives, including health, education and justice.

As government house leader, he was also in charge of shepherding bills through the legislature.

Hancock said he applied for the post and is eager to get to work.

“I was always very political and was interested in getting elected, but that’s a past life now and I had to figure what else,” he said.

“I have another 18 years of service to do.”