OTTAWA — Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie Deschamps, known for her stringent work ethic, was appointed Thursday to the Supreme Court of Canada by Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

Deschamps, 49, will replace Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dube, 74, who retired on July 1 after 15 years on the top bench.

She was elated at the opportunity, saying the coveted job is "where the major social and legal issues" are discussed.

"When this kind of responsibility is offered to you, it's hard to say no," Deschamps said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Deschamps, born in Repentigny, Que., has served on the Quebec Court of Appeal since 1992. She is known for her expertise in complex commercial litigation, and earned her law degree at University of Montreal in 1974. She was called to the bar in 1975 and completed her master's of law degree at McGill University in 1983.

She served on an advisory committee that helped overhaul Quebec bankruptcy law in 1986.

Deschamps is also a mother of two, a sports enthusiast and an art collector. She will be one of three women on the most powerful legal bench.

Quebec is guaranteed by law three of nine seats on the court of last resort. Tradition dictates that three judges come from Ontario, two from the West and one from Atlantic Canada.

Supreme Court of Canada judges earn $250,200 a year and must step down by their 75th birthday. Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin earns $270,100.

The prime minister usually consults law societies, legal experts and the federal justice minister before selecting a high court judge.

However, critics of the appointment process say the public should know more about candidates before they're selected.

This is Chretien's fifth high court appointment since he became prime minister in 1993. He also named McLachlin, the first woman to serve as the country's top judge.