Mathews Samac at the Bertha Wilson Symposium

On March 27, 2026, Tom Mathews and Josh Samac attended the Symposium in Honour of the Honourable Bertha Wilson, hosted jointly by the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Law Society of Ontario at the Law Society’s Lamont Learning Centre at Osgoode Hall.

The symposium marked the 50th anniversary of Justice Wilson’s appointment to the Court of Appeal for Ontario — effective January 2, 1976 — the first appointment of a woman to any appellate court in Canada. Six years later, in 1982, Justice Wilson became the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. Her tenure coincided with the enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and she emerged as one of its most consequential early interpreters, leaving a lasting imprint on constitutional law, human rights jurisprudence, and the shape of the legal profession itself.

The keynote address was delivered by the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, PC, CC, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada — herself a trailblazer and, in many respects, a successor to the path Justice Wilson opened. 

The program also featured panel discussions on Justice Wilson’s life and legal legacy, and included a tribute video with personal recollections from members of the bench and bar.

Justice Wilson’s contributions extended well beyond her decisions. She was a persistent voice for equality and inclusion within the profession at a time when the barriers to both were structural and entrenched. The symposium was a fitting occasion to reflect on how much has changed — and on how much of what has changed traces back to her.

We were glad to be there.