The Hon. Craig Perkins

Craig Perkins, Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, recounts his pivotal role in transforming Ontario’s family law system during his tenure at the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Policy Division from 1975 to 1995. Initially recruited to work alongside Karen Weiler on the groundbreaking Family Law Reform Act of 1978, Perkins helped develop the “family assets” concept that revolutionized matrimonial property law in response to public outcry over the Supreme Court of Canada’s Murdoch decision. His work established the legislative framework for property division upon divorce that remains foundational to Ontario family law today.

Perkins also served as counsel to the Zuber Commission on court reform and later directed the Court Reform Task Force that implemented the merger of the County and District Courts into a unified Superior Court of Justice. These reforms, while ultimately successful, generated significant political controversy and judicial resistance, particularly from High Court judges who felt blindsided by the changes. Throughout his career, Perkins witnessed the evolution of government policy-making processes, from the collaborative, minister-accessible approach under Roy McMurtry to the more bureaucratic, staff-mediated system under Ian Scott and subsequent attorneys general.

His account provides valuable insights into the practical challenges of major legal reform, including the delicate balance between policy innovation and political feasibility, the importance of stakeholder consultation, and the unintended consequences of administrative restructuring within government ministries.

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