The Hon. David Henry

This comprehensive oral history interview with Justice David Henry traces his legal career from his early education through his retirement from the bench. Henry discusses his upbringing in Ottawa as the son of Mackenzie King’s private secretary, his education at Osgoode Hall Law School from 1939-1942, and his wartime service where he briefly worked as a military lawyer. After the war, he joined the Department of Justice in 1945, working closely with senior officials like Wilbur Jackett and serving various Ministers of Justice including Pierre Trudeau and John Turner.

Henry’s most significant role was as Director of Investigation and Research under the Combines Investigation Act from 1960-1973, where he reorganized the department and oversaw major competition law investigations, including high-profile cases involving K.C. Irving’s newspaper empire. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1973, becoming the first civil servant to receive such an appointment. His judicial career included extensive work on the assize circuit and specialization in bankruptcy law after Lloyd Houlden’s promotion to the Court of Appeal.

The interview reveals Henry’s contributions to Canadian legal development, including his work on Criminal Code amendments, participation in uniformity of law conferences, and his post-retirement service on review boards for mentally ill offenders. He also discusses landmark cases in conflict of laws and his involvement in early arbitration and mediation work. Throughout, Henry provides insights into the evolution of Canadian legal institutions, the collegial nature of the judiciary, and the importance of juries in the democratic legal system.

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