Jack Major

Expert Overview

The Honourable Jack C. Major has helped shape the legal landscape in Canada through his years as a lawyer and judge. He is a native of Ontario and practised law with Bennett Jones in Calgary after graduating from the University of Toronto Law school in 1957. He was appointed a Q.C. in 1972.

His practice was general commercial litigation and administrative law. He served on the board of public companies including Canadian Airlines, Domtar Inc., and AGT now Telus. Justice Major was appointed to the Alberta Court of Appeal in 1991 and to the Supreme Court of Canada the following year, in 1992. During his time with the Supreme Court of Canada, he presided over approximately 1000 cases on matters ranging from assisted suicide to the death penalty to Quebec separation. Many of these cases brought about significant changes in local, provincial and federal policies and legislation.