OTTAWA — Supreme Court Justice John Major will retire on Christmas Day, two months ahead of his mandatory retirement date.

The departure of Major, who joined the court in 1992, opens the door for a new justice in time for the new year.

Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin announced Wednesday that Major, 74, has written to the justice minister to advise that he will retire on Dec. 25.

"Justice Major has made a very great contribution to this court and the country," McLachlin said in a news release.

"He is a wonderful colleague and friend who will be missed."

Prime Minister Paul Martin proposed reforming the selection process when he was a candidate for the Liberal leadership, but a proposal has yet to be submitted to the parliamentary committee.

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler has said he's prepared to seriously consider candidates proposed by the Quebec government to fill vacancies in the court.

Last August, the Quebec government wrote to Cotler asking for a "formal participation" in the process to select justices.

Under the law, Major must retire before he turns 75 on Feb. 20.