The Hon. Norman Bennett

This comprehensive interview with Ontario Court Justice Norman Bennett traces his career from his Hamilton upbringing through his appointment to the provincial court bench in 1982. Bennett describes his Jewish family background, education at McMaster University and Osgoode Hall Law School, and his transition from articling at Wright McTaggart in Toronto to practicing in Hamilton. His early practice was disrupted when his first employer was disbarred for trust account irregularities, leading him to take over David Steinberg’s family practice and later partner with Al Foreman in commercial and real estate work.

Bennett’s political involvement with the Progressive Conservative Party led to his appointment as a federal drug prosecutor during Joe Clark’s brief government, and later part-time Crown work that rekindled his interest in litigation. As a judge, he dealt with Hamilton’s significant drug problems, particularly crack cocaine and marijuana grow operations, while also handling youth court matters under the evolving Youth Criminal Justice Act. The interview reveals the challenges of operating courts in inadequate facilities before Hamilton’s modern courthouse was built, and discusses the administrative complexities of coordinating between provincial and federal prosecutors on drug cases.

Bennett later served as Administrative Judge, managing court operations and implementing efficiency measures. Throughout the interview, he reflects on the evolution of criminal law practice, the impact of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms on court proceedings, and the ongoing challenges of staffing shortage in Hamilton’s criminal defense bar. His observations provide valuable insights into the practical realities of provincial court operations and the changing nature of criminal justice in Ontario from the 1960s through the 2000s.

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