Remarks of the Honourable Michael H. Tulloch Chief Justice of Ontario
Opening of the Courts of Ontario. September 25, 2025.
I. Introduction
Thank you, Mr. Registrar.
It is an honour to preside over this special sitting of Ontario’s three courts alongside my esteemed colleagues, the Honourable Geoffrey Morawetz and the Honourable Sharon Nicklas.
Je suis honoré de présider cette séance spéciale des trois tribunaux de l’Ontario.
Today marks a coming together not only of judicial leaders including judges and justices of the peace, but also of political leaders, lawyers, law deans, leaders of the legal associations, paralegals, public servants, law enforcement, and distinguished community guests. My warmest welcome to all of you, especially the many of you who we were privileged just moments ago to recognize individually. Though we serve in different roles, we are united in a common mission: to sustain a justice system that is fair, timely, accessible, and effective.
Let me also offer one more word of thanks to the public servants who work with us every day to support that shared mission. From the court registrars to the security guards, police, and ushers, to our intake and registry staff, to our counsel and law clerks. Our work would be impossible without you, and we thank you.
Above all, I thank the people of Ontario for their trust. On behalf of the judiciary, I reaffirm our commitment to maintain and strengthen that trust.
II. Reflecting on Our Enduring Strengths
The “Opening of the Courts” is a unique occasion to reflect on the enduring strength of Canada’s institutions of justice. Amid global polarization, that strength matters.
As a citizen of this great province and this extraordinary country, I am profoundly grateful for the remarkable institutions that sustain and underpin our democracy – our legislatures, our courts, our Constitution, and the rule of law. Our institutions provide the tools to meet our challenges — protecting rights, ensuring accountability, preserving justice, and promoting freedom.
Our judiciary stands at the heart of this nexus of democratic institutions. As the third branch of government, the judiciary is a co-equal, independent partner to the legislative and executive branches with a unique responsibility to uphold the rule of law. The courts have a distinct role – to interpret and apply the law, resolve disputes, and ensure that legislation and government action comply with the Constitution.
Our strong tradition of judicial independence makes this vital work possible. This independence enables judges to uphold their sacred responsibility as the third branch of government – safeguarding Canadians’ rights and freedoms by guaranteeing impartial justice grounded in law, not the pressures of the moment.
Judicial independence preserves judicial accountability. The strength of our system lies in its safeguards: structured appeals correct errors and promote consistency so that justice is not only done, but is seen to be done.
As we reflect on these strengths, we celebrate the people who sustain them – our jurists and our staff. Your skill and devotion enable the administration of justice every day. Thank you.
While today’s ceremony symbolizes the importance of the rule of law and our justice system, my colleagues and I will also provide updates on the work of Ontario’s three courts.
This past year, the Court of Appeal bid farewell to Justices David Brown, Jim MacPherson, Ian Nordheimer, and Alison Harvison Young, and we will soon honour the retirements of Justice Sarah Pepall and Justice William Hourigan. Their outstanding contributions profoundly shaped the law, and all will be deeply missed.
As my colleagues and I work to carry on their legacy, we were recently delighted to welcome a new colleague – Justice Moiz Rahman, whose early service already strengthens our Court.
We are thankful to former Minister of Justice Arif Virani, and the federal government, for ensuring timely judicial appointments. But notwithstanding these efforts, the exponential growth of our province has put a severe strain on our current judicial complement.
Ontario is home to 16 million people – one-third of Canada’s population. It is our most diverse and populous province, and Canada’s commercial hub. As a result, Ontario’s courts handle an extraordinary range of cases, from complex commercial disputes to deeply personal matters of family and community life. The decisions of the court not only shape Ontario’s jurisprudence but resonate across the country and around the common law world.
Ensuring Ontario’s courts are properly resourced is thus not just a provincial concern – it is a national imperative. But the Court of Appeal’s complement remains significantly under-resourced compared to other provinces. The retirement of several of our judges, with more expected to follow, makes this challenge particularly pressing. I know that Minister of Justice, Sean Fraser, and his Deputy Minister, Shalene Curtis-Micallef, are eager to strengthen the justice system in Ontario. We look forward to working with you both to reach a sustainable long-term solution to this challenge. Canada’s social and economic stability and prosperity depend on strong, independent courts that uphold the rule of law.
III. Renewing Justice Through Collaboration
As we walk the path of institutional renewal, we must always remember that our courts are not self-sustaining. They are only as strong as the people, culture, and commitments that underpin them. And they can only thrive through collaboration – among the three courts of Ontario, with both levels of government, and with the Law Society, the bar, legal and civic educators, and the communities we serve.
In that spirit, we committed at the 2023 Opening of the Courts to make justice more responsive, accessible, and reflective. Allow me to share what we have accomplished since then.
To be responsive to the people we serve, the Court will restore our tradition of publishing an annual report later this calendar year. By sharing our achievements and challenges publicly, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to responsive and transparent leadership that earns and maintains public trust.
As for accessibility, our Court is determined to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors receives timely justice. Working closely with the Ministry of the Attorney General, we have created one of Ontario’s most accessible courtrooms at Osgoode Hall and are transforming our courtroom audio-visual technology to enhance remote hearings for all. In the coming year, we intend to build on these achievements by launching the Court’s online filing portal – a major leap forward that will enhance access to justice and streamline filing procedures for everyone we serve.
Finally, our annual fall outreach showcases our commitment to reflect the people we serve. From Windsor two years ago to Ottawa last fall — and Thunder Bay later this autumn – we are bringing the Court ever closer to the public in every corner of our vast province. These visits strengthen communication and collaboration with the legal community in each region, providing living proof that our Court belongs to all the people of Ontario.
While the work we carry out as judges remains independent and impartial, none of these achievements would have been possible without the important support provided by government.
In this context, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Attorney General of Ontario, the Honourable Doug Downey. Thanks to his support, the government has made a transformative investment in the justice system – one of the largest in decades. This infusion of resources addresses long-standing staffing and judicial shortages, strengthens stability for court staff, and ensures that the Court can continue to serve the public with excellence. Thank you, Mr. Attorney General.
To safeguard access to justice, we must ensure that our courtrooms are places of safety for all. In recent months, when Ontario’s three courts came together to achieve this very goal, the government stepped up to the plate. Thanks to the determined leadership of the Attorney General and his colleagues in the Ministry of the Solicitor General, we have made rapid strides to enhance courtroom safety through close coordination, unified standards, and fresh resources. I look forward to deepening our collaboration so that everyone who walks through our courthouse doors can feel secure.
I also recognize the Law Society of Ontario, which continues to be a key partner in collaborative efforts, particularly in our joint stewardship of one of Ontario’s most historic landmarks – Osgoode Hall. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of Treasurer Peter Wardle. Mr. Treasurer, thank you for your commitment to cooperation.
IV. Redoubling Our Efforts to Strengthen Public Trust
Ontario’s justice system has the potential for significant growth through deeper collaboration. One urgent priority is addressing the erosion of civic education and the resulting decline in public trust in democratic institutions.
The issue is clear: too many students graduate without understanding their rights, responsibilities, or the importance of the Constitution. At the same time, younger generations are increasingly skeptical of democracy. Statistics Canada reports that only 25% of Canadians aged 15 to 24 express strong confidence in democratic institutions. This is a serious warning: democracy relies on belief, knowledge, and trust, and without civic education, disengagement or harmful alternatives emerge.
Courts contribute by upholding justice and reinforcing shared values, but they cannot address this challenge alone. Civic learning must begin early. The late Honourable Roy McMurtry, who championed civic education, understood that rights cannot be defended without knowledge, and laws cannot be respected if never taught.
Ontario has a strong foundation in the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN), which advances Chief Justice McMurtry’s vision by connecting youth to the justice system. Its outreach to Franco-Ontarian communities is particularly valuable. However, broader collaboration is required.
The vision is a province-wide partnership – OJEN, educators, governments, the judiciary, the bar, law schools, and community organizations—working together in both English and French to integrate civic and justice education into the curriculum and beyond. By doing so, Ontario can set a national example, strengthening citizenship, leadership, and trust in democracy.
V. Conclusion
As we open the courts this year, I believe that each of us, as participants in the administration of justice, stands in a privileged position to make our institutions better.
My closing words from last year’s address are even truer today – I am more confident than ever in our work, more encouraged and emboldened by the commitment of all, and more optimistic that our efforts will continue to bear tremendous fruit.
So let us recommit to this noble work.
Engageons-nous à nouveau dans cette noble œuvre.
Let us deepen our commitment to serve the people of Ontario.
Let us show our communities that the courts are not distant halls, but the beating heart of a fair society.
Let us envision a justice system that is and remains robust, responsive, and trusted. One that provides fair, timely, and accessible justice to all Ontarians.
And let us act each day, with courage and determination, with confidence and optimism, and in partnership with each other, to make that vision a reality.
Thank you. Merci.