The Hon. George Carter

Judge George Ethelbert Carter (1921-) was interviewed about his groundbreaking legal career as the second Black lawyer to serve as a provincial court judge in Ontario. Born in Toronto to Barbadian immigrant parents who settled there in the 1920s, Carter overcame significant socioeconomic challenges, including the Depression, to attend Harbord Collegiate and complete law school at the University of Toronto (1941-1945, interrupted by military service). He was called to the bar in 1949, joining a tiny group of practicing Black lawyers in Ontario that included Spencer Pitt, Reginald McLean, Lloyd Perry, and Jimmy Watson.

Carter’s legal career spanned 30 years of private practice, predominantly in criminal and civil litigation. He articled first with B.J. Spencer Pitt, the most prominent Black lawyer of the era, then with Sydney Harris. As a sole practitioner, Carter built a general practice focusing on court work, handling negligence cases, family law, and criminal matters while also doing real estate closings. He was active in the County of York Law Association, serving as treasurer and working his way up the executive hierarchy, though he was ultimately passed over for the presidency in what he viewed as discriminatory circumstances.

Appointed as a provincial court judge in December 1979, Carter served primarily at Metro North Court and various jurisdictions including Brampton, Thunder Bay, and smaller Ontario communities. He discusses the evolution of criminal justice, the impact of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, changes in sentencing practices, and the challenges of managing heavy caseloads in provincial court. His candid reflections provide unique insight into the experiences of Black legal professionals in mid-20th century Canada and the transformation of Ontario’s court system.

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