Mr. John Takach

Justice John Takach provides a comprehensive account of his legal career spanning over three decades in Ontario’s justice system. Beginning as an Assistant Crown Attorney in Sudbury in 1969, he progressed through increasingly senior roles including Crown Attorney in Hamilton (1975), Director of Crown Attorneys (1977), Assistant Deputy Attorney General Criminal, and Deputy Solicitor General (1985-1988) before his appointment to the Provincial Court bench in 1988.

Takach’s tenure was marked by significant reforms and professionalization of the Crown Attorney system. In Hamilton, he transformed what he describes as a dysfunctional office culture where part-time Crowns maintained private practices and police controlled prosecutorial decisions. His administrative roles coincided with the “golden era” of Crown prosecution under Attorney General Roy McMurtry, characterized by merit-based appointments and enhanced professional standards. He discusses major cases including the notable Sudbury General Hospital inquest of 1974 involving gas line mix-ups that resulted in multiple deaths.

As Deputy Solicitor General, Takach navigated complex relationships between police and civilian oversight, particularly challenging the OPP Commissioner’s attempts to bypass ministerial authority. His judicial career included service in Brampton during the Askov decision’s implementation, which resulted in thousands of case dismissals due to unreasonable delays. Throughout the interview, he reflects on systemic challenges including court delays, inadequate sentencing alternatives, and the need for fundamental reform in case management procedures.

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