Canada names Justice Mahmud Jamal as Supreme Court member

Candian PM Trudeau said in a media statement, "I know that Justice Jamal, with his exceptional legal and academic experience and dedication to serving others will be a valuable asset to our country's highest court,"

Justice Mahmud Jamal has had a distinguished career, throughout which he’s remained dedicated to serving others. He’ll be a valuable asset to the Supreme Court - and that’s why, today, I’m announcing his historic nomination to our country’s highest court. https://t.co/GSoW3zCU3b

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 17, 2021

Justice Jamal will replace Justice Rosalie Abella, currently, the longest-serving Supreme Court justice, who will retire from the court on July 1.

Under the Liberal government's appointment process, judges to the top court are nominated by the prime minister on the recommendation of the court's advisory council.

Justice Jamal was born in Kenya, raised in England, and completed high school in Edmonton.

He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees from the Faculty of Law, McGill University, and a Master of Laws from Yale Law School, which he attended on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Justice Jamal, who is bilingual, practised with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in the fields of appellate litigation, constitutional and public law, class actions, and commercial litigation.

He appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada in 35 appeals addressing a wide range of civil, constitutional, criminal, and regulatory issues. He also appeared before various provincial courts, the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, and Tax Court of Canada, and federal and provincial administrative tribunals.

In 2019, he was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

When asked what he saw as his most significant contribution to law and the pursuit of Justice, Jamal said he would leave that to others to decide.

"At this stage of my life, there is no more meaningful way for me to contribute to the law and the pursuit of justice than through public service as a judge," he wrote in his questionnaire.

“I was raised at school as a Christian, reciting the Lord's Prayer and absorbing the values of the Church of England, and at home as a Muslim, memorizing Arabic prayers from the Quran,” Justice Jamal added.