Symposium in Honour of The Honourable Bertha Wilson
Hosted by the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Law Society of Ontario
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026 (1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.)
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Alternate date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 [click to view options]
Additional Information
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The Honourable J. Michal Fairburn, Associate Chief Justice of OntarioCourt of Appeal for Ontario
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The Honourable Lise G. FavreauCourt of Appeal for Ontario
The Court of Appeal for Ontario is proud to present a special Continuing Professional Development program celebrating the life and legacy of The Honourable Bertha Wilson, the first woman appointed to both the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. This program honours her trailblazing contributions to Canadian jurisprudence, her unwavering commitment to justice, and her advocacy for equality and inclusion in the legal profession.
- Hear the Keynote Address by the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, PC, CC, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Canada (retired)
- Learn about Bertha Wilson’s life and legal legacy through our inspiring panels
- See the Video honouring Bertha Wilson, including stories and tributes
- Find out the winner of the Paper contest
Presenters
- The Honourable J. Michal Fairburn, Associate Chief Justice of Ontario, Court of Appeal for Ontario
- The Honourable Lise G. Favreau, Court of Appeal for Ontario
- Professor Constance Backhouse, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
- The Honourable Patricia Hennessy, Ontario Superior Court of Justice
- Dr. Kim Brooks, President and Vice-Chancellor, Dalhousie University
- Marie Henein, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP
- Nicole Henderson, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
- The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, PC, CC, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Canada (retired)
- The Honourable Lorne Sossin, Court of Appeal for Ontario
- The Honourable Kathryn N. Feldman, Court of Appeal for Ontario (retired)
- The Honourable David Stratas, Federal Court of Appeal
- The Honourable Eleanore Cronk, Court of Appeal for Ontario (retired)
- Professor Lisa Dufraimont, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
- Professor Kent Roach, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
- Treasurer Peter Wardle, Law Society of Ontario
- The Honourable Michael H.Tulloch, Chief Justice of Ontario, Court of Appeal for Ontario
- The Honourable Sally Gomery, Court of Appeal for Ontario
- Lauralee Bielert, Special Counsel, Court of Appeal for Ontario
Steering Committee
- The Honourable Lorne Sossin, Court of Appeal for Ontario
- The Honourable Karen Weiler, Court of Appeal for Ontario (retired)
- The Honourable Kathryn N. Feldman, Court of Appeal for Ontario (retired)
- The Honourable Robert Sharpe, Court of Appeal for Ontario (retired)
- Professor Constance Backhouse, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
- Lauralee Bielert, Special Counsel, Court of Appeal for Ontario
- Laila Azizi, Judicial Law Clerk, Supreme Court of Canada
