Mattawa celebrates Supreme Court Justice John C. Major

Mattawa Historical Society
News Release

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Supreme Court Justice John C. Major will be honoured by the Mattawa Historical Society at the Mattawa and District Museum on Friday, July 1, at 2:00 p.m. At that time, the Historical Society will unveil a display acknowledging his 13 years on the Supreme Court of Canada and his contributions in leading the Air India Inquiry. The public is invited to attend this free event as part of their Canada Day festivities.

“It is very fitting that we celebrate Chief Justice John C. Major’s service and achievements in the legal community," comments President John Whalen " For the past few years we have been working on displays honouring Mattawa born individuals who are known nationally. Today’s display completes a trilogy of displays of individuals who have distinguished themselves at the federal level."

John Charles Major was born in Mattawa, Ontario on February 20, 1931. He is the son of William Major and Elsie Thompson. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Loyola College in 1953, he studied law at the University of Toronto obtaining his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1957. He moved to Calgary and practiced law there with the firm of Bennett -Jones-Verchere after being called to the bar of Alberta in 1958. He became senior partner in 1967.

"I have often wondered why Mattawa is the home that I recall most frequently and the one that provides the happiest memories. I don’t have the answer to that other than the beauty of the town guarded in time by the three crosses or the mountains across the river, and the warmth and friendliness of the people who are the first you meet as a child. Whatever the reason I am happy that Mattawa will always occupy that special place with me," wrote the Honourable John C. Major, C.C., Q.C.

On November 13, 1992, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. During much of his time of the Court, he was known for his belief in providing deference to government and for his particularly succinct writing style.

The Honourable Mr. Justice John C. Major was a Canadian jurist and was a puisne justice on the Supreme Court of Canada from 1992 to 2005.

One of Major’s most significant decisions was Hy and Zel’s v. Ontario (1993), which narrowed the range of parties that could bring public interest issues before the court. He also wrote for a unanimous court in Stewart v. Pettie (1995), a ruling that dramatically extended the responsibilities of restaurants and bars regarding the consumption of alcohol by patrons.

On March 8, 2006 he was appointed by Prime Minister Harper to lead a commission to investigate the Air India bombing of Flight 182 and its trial. Major was appointed after family members of the Air India victims pressed for an inquiry into the failures before and after the explosion. More than 200 witnesses testified during the four-year-long inquiry.

The final report comprises more than 4,000 pages and was delivered June 17, 2010 in Ottawa. It details the depressing turf wars, communication gaps, and shocking bungling of the RCMP, CSIS, and other entities and officials that failed to prevent the 1985 attack that killed 329 people, and which has blighted the investigations and prosecutions in the intervening 25 years.

One of Commissioner Major's key findings was that there is a lack of institutional co-ordination when it comes to national security matters -- a problem that could be eased by beefing up the role of Canada's national security advisor to improve the passage of information between the intelligence and law enforcement communities.
Justice Major has honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Calgary, the University of Toronto and Concordia University in Montreal. He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in the 2008 Canada Day appointments.

John C. Major Continues to live and work in Calgary.

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