The Hon. Gerry Cloutier

This oral history interview captures the remarkable career of Hon. Gerard Cloutier, who served as both Crown Attorney and Provincial Judge in Northern Ontario from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Born in Hearst and trained at Osgoode Hall Law School, Cloutier began private practice in Kapaskasing before becoming part-time Crown Attorney in 1967 and full-time Crown in 1970-71. His Crown territory uniquely covered both North and South Cochrane districts, stretching from Hornpayne to the James Bay coast, including numerous remote Indigenous communities accessible only by aircraft.

As Crown Attorney and later Provincial Judge, Cloutier regularly travelled to isolated northern communities including Moosenee, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Winisk, Fort Severn, and others, often facing extreme weather conditions and logistical challenges. His detailed accounts reveal the evolution of justice administration in the north, from early “hit and run” court visits to established weekly circuits, the development of Indigenous policing, and complex jurisdictional issues between Ontario districts. The interview illuminates the unique challenges of administering justice in remote regions, including cultural sensitivity, community dynamics, and the practical difficulties of travelling by small aircraft in harsh northern conditions.

Cloutier also served as a bilingual judge handling both criminal and family court matters, describing the administrative changes under various Attorneys General including Roy McMurtry and Ian Scott. His reflections provide valuable insights into the evolution of Indigenous justice initiatives, the challenges of applying southern legal frameworks to northern communities, and the personal and professional toll of serving in such demanding circumstances over several decades.

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