Mr. Clay Powell

Clay Powell provides a comprehensive account of his transformative career in Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General from 1962 to 1976. After articling with Arthur Martin and working as a journalist, Powell joined what was then a very small criminal law division and quickly rose to prominence, arguing cases before the Supreme Court of Canada within months of starting. His career coincided with significant structural changes in the ministry, including the creation of the Criminal Appeals & Special Prosecutions division and his eventual appointment as Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Criminal.

Powell played a pivotal role in modernizing Ontario’s approach to white collar crime prosecution, ending the practice of retaining outside counsel for complex financial cases and bringing such prosecutions in-house. He also opened the door for RCMP participation in provincial prosecutions, breaking down jurisdictional barriers between federal and provincial law enforcement. Powell recruited and mentored many future prominent lawyers and judges, building what he describes as a “star team” of criminal lawyers.

The interview covers several landmark cases, most notably R. v. Wray, which Powell considers his most significant case and which ultimately influenced the inclusion of section 24.2 in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He also discusses the Harold Ballard prosecution and various high-profile white collar crime cases including Atlantic Acceptance and Viola McMillan matters. Powell left government service in 1976, declining an offer to become Deputy Minister, and joined private practice with Bob Carter, taking over Arthur Martin’s former practice.

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