The Hon. Pamela Thomson

This interview with Justice Pamela Thomson at the North York Courthouse in 2001 covers her diverse legal career and judicial experience. Born in Timmins in 1942, Thomson studied Honours French at Queen’s University before attending University of Toronto Law School. Her career included significant periods in Montreal (1971-1974) where she obtained Quebec bar admission, worked in labour law, and was involved with the landmark James Bay case representing Northern Quebec Indigenous peoples against Hydro-Quebec. She also served as Executive Director of the Centre for Public Interest Law, conducting studies on consumer protection and children’s advertising.

Returning to Toronto in 1974, Thomson focused on labour law representing various unions including teachers’ organizations before transitioning to the judiciary. The interview extensively covers her work in small claims court, discussing procedural changes including offers to settle under the Provincial Court Civil Division Act, evidence handling, and her approach to managing unrepresented litigants. She details specific cases including Miller v. York Downs Craft & Garden (costs and disbursements), Ruffalo v. Brian Mulroney (damages for breach of election promises), and Consumers’ Gas v. Ferriera (creditor-debtor issues). Her judicial career represents an important perspective on the evolution of Ontario’s small claims court system and access to justice issues.

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