Mr. Arthur A. Kajander

Arthur Kajander, born in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay) in 1913 to Finnish immigrant parents, provides a comprehensive account of legal practice in Northwestern Ontario spanning over five decades. After studying at University College, University of Toronto (1930-1935), he articled at Gregory, Armstrong & Kemp and McCarthy & McCarthy before being called to the Bar in May 1938. Returning to Port Arthur, he established practice in the Ruttan Block alongside Jim Ross, who later became a District Court Judge.

Kajander’s early practice focused primarily on estate work and real estate, serving largely the Finnish community in the Thunder Bay area. His career was marked by several notable experiences including defending clients in serious criminal cases before the establishment of Legal Aid, and witnessing dramatic events such as the murder of Family Court Judge McKitrick in his own courtroom by an OPP officer. The interview reveals the close-knit nature of the early legal community, with only about ten lawyers practicing in both Port Arthur and Fort William combined.

Beyond his legal practice, Kajander served as Honorary Consul of Finland from around 1950 until his retirement, for which he received the Order of the White Rose of Finland. He was also involved in local politics, serving eight years on the Board of Education. His reflections capture the evolution of the legal profession from an era of informal collegial relationships based on mutual trust to a more complex and cautious practice, noting both the growth in the number of practitioners and the changes in professional conduct over his career.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.