Mr. Stephen Fram

Stephen Fram recounts his distinguished career in the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General’s Policy Development Division from 1973 to 1995. Hired directly by Marshall Pollock after graduating second in his class from University of Toronto law school, Fram joined the newly created policy branch during a transformative period when the ministry was consolidating all government legal services. He played a key role in developing foundational legislation including the Juries Act, Landlord and Tenant reforms, Occupiers Liability Act, and Trespass to Property Act during the McMurtry era.

Fram’s signature achievement was the Construction Lien Act, which he developed through an innovative consensus-building process involving industry stakeholders, resulting in unanimous legislative passage. He also worked extensively on professional regulation, the Substitute Decisions Act, and various lien legislation. The interview reveals the evolution of the ministry from a small, collaborative environment under the Progressive Conservatives to increasing bureaucratization under subsequent Liberal and NDP governments.

Fram provides candid assessments of various Attorneys General, praising Roy McMurtry’s collaborative approach while noting Ian Scott’s brilliance but isolation from civil service. He describes the gradual decline of the policy branch’s influence and quality, particularly under Deputy Larry Taman, culminating in his early retirement in 1995 when meaningful policy work diminished.

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