November 10, 1997

WHAT:
The John White Society of Osgoode Hall Law School at York University presents:

"An Itinerant Career of a Chief Judge: Politics, Diplomacy and the Law"

Roy McMurtry, the Chief Justice of Ontario, will offer reflections on his varied and fascinating career -- as a lawyer, Attorney-General of Ontario, diplomat, and finally judge.

WHO:
Roy McMurtry has a long history of public service and community involvement. After spending 17 years as a trial lawyer, he was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1975, and was immediately appointed Attorney-General in the Cabinet of Premier Bill Davis, a post which he held until 1985. One of McMurtry's notable accomplishments as Attorney-General was the creation of a bilingual judicial system.

After leaving Ontario politics in 1985, McMurtry served as Canada's High Commissioner to Britain until 1988. He then went back to practising law, at the same time serving as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Football League.

In 1991, McMurtry was appointed the Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, and climbed the ranks of the judiciary to become the Chief Justice of Ontario on February 20, 1996.

McMurtry's involvement with the community has included work with Frontier College (one of Canada's pioneering institutions in adult education), and efforts to strengthen the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth sports.

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 12, 1997
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Moot Court Room, Main Floor, Osgoode Hall Law School
York University, 4700 Keele Street
North York

For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca

Alison Masemann
Media Relations Officer
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: masemann@yorku.ca
YU/097/97