News Release

For Immediate Release
August 20, 2007

The McGuinty government has appointed Professor Michael Trebilcock to continue the province’s legal aid review, Attorney General Michael Bryant announced today.  Professor Trebilcock replaces Professor John McCamus, who was recently appointed Chair of Legal Aid Ontario.

“Professor Trebilcock’s background and experience make him the perfect replacement for Professor McCamus,” said Bryant.  “I want to thank Professor McCamus for his excellent work during the first phase of the review.”

Trebilcock was called to the Bar of New Zealand in 1964 and the Bar of Ontario in 1975.  Since 1990, he has been a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto, specializing in economic, international trade, competition and contract law.  He was also Director of Research for the 1997 Ontario Legal Aid Review.

“We’re pleased the legal aid review will continue under Professor Trebilcock,” said Paul Kowalyshyn, Chair of the County and District Law Presidents’ Association.

“We are pleased to see the government moving ahead on its commitment to engage in a serious and meaningful review of the current tariff process with the appointment of Professor Trebilcock,” said Louise Botham, President of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.

“As a distinguished and experienced university law professor, Professor Trebilcock is an excellent choice to continue this project,” said Michael Eizenga, President of the Advocates’ Society.

“We are pleased Michael Trebilcock will continue the work started by Professor McCamus,” said James Morton, President of the Ontario Bar Association.  “We look forward to working with him to ensure we have a strong legal aid system both now and into the future.”

The project is reviewing the administration of the legal aid system and examining alternatives to the current tariff process.

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