Former Ontario attorney general Roy McMurtry dead at 91 | CBC News

Sara Jabakhanji · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 19, 2024 12:24 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago

Roland (Roy) McMurtry, former provincial attorney general and chief justice of Ontario, has died. He was 91.

McMurtry, a legal and political giant in the province, died Monday, said his son Jim McMurtry in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"My father fought for rights and freedoms," Jim wrote Tuesday morning. "I was the proudest son."

The Francophone Assembly of Ontario (AFO) said on X that it is "saddened" by McMurtry's passing.

"He played a leadership role in the implementation of bilingualism in our courts of justice," the AFO said. "Rest in peace."

McMurtry was a lawyer for 17 years and was elected to the Ontario legislature in 1975, serving in that role until 1985. As attorney general under former Progressive Conservative premier Bill Davis, McMurtry chaired the Ontario cabinet committee on race relations.

He played a "central and influential" role in negotiating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and patriating Canada's constitution, according to the Court of Appeal for Ontario website. McMurtry oversaw many reforms in the justice system, including bilingualism in the courts, during his time as attorney general. He was seen as a major advocate for human rights and a voice for issues faced by the Black community. 

WATCH | McMurtry on pushing back against discrimination:

After his political career, McMurtry served as Canada's High Commissioner to Great Britain before being appointed as a judge.

He was awarded the Order of Ontario, the province's highest honour, in 2008, and named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

In a post on X, the Court of Appeal for Ontario said McMurtry, who was Chief Justice of Ontario for 11 years before retiring in 2007, left a "tremendous impact," saying he will be greatly missed.

"Former Chief Justice McMurtry was a giant whose vision and brilliance helped shape the province and country we live in today," it said.

The flag at Osgoode Hall has been placed at half-staff, according to the court's website.

Politicians also took to X Tuesday to share their condolences.

Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey remembered McMurtry as someone who had an "unwavering commitment to justice, enduring impact in government, strong leadership, and for inspiring those in pursuit of a more just and equitable society."

McMurtry was a "wise leader at his very core," Downey said. "He left an impact on his community, his province, and his country. He was a giant in his own right."

He was one of the judges on the Court of Appeal for Ontario who upheld a lower court ruling that found the common law definition of marriage was against the Charter, which paved the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie shared her condolences.

"He was a true gentleman and played an important role in the great constitutional debates of the 1980s," she said.