History

CIAJ’s 50th Anniversary

1974–2024 … 50 years of evolution and collaboration with the legal community!

Graphic(s)

Timeline


1974

Creation in Ontario

CIAJ was created at the Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in Toronto, and incorporated under Part III of the Canada Corporations Act. The list of CIAJ’s former presidents and executive directors from 1974 to 2024 is available here.

1975

By-Laws

Adoption of a French version of the by-laws; 1st national seminar for newly appointed provincial court judges (ten-day seminar) in Kingston, Ontario.

1976

1st Annual Conference

First Annual Conference, entitled “The Canadian Judiciary” (every year since then). Past annual conferences are listed here.

1977

Creation of NFAJ and Membership

Membership was opened to all persons interested in the administration of justice; the first Seminar for new federally appointed judges “NFAJ” was held (every year since then).

1978

Moving to Alberta

CIAJ’s office moved to University of Alberta Faculty of Law in Edmonton and remained there until 1986.

1981

1st Judgment Writing Course

First Judgment Writing Seminar (every year since then).

1985

1st Justice Medal

Creation of the Justice Medal (awarded every two years since then). All recipients are listed at the bottom of this page.

1986

Moving to Montreal

CIAJ’s office moved to the Université de Montreal Faculty of Law and remains in Montreal.

1987

Administrative Tribunals and Legislative Drafting

First program for members of administrative tribunals, in Hull. It was attended by members of thirteen federal tribunals; First Seminar on Legislative Drafting and interpretation, in Ottawa (held every two years since then). Past legislative drafting conferences are listed here.

1998

1st website

CIAJ prepares to enter the new millennium with the integration of new technologies and creates its first website. Take a trip back in time with the Wayback Machine and see the CIAJ website as it was in 2000.

1999

25th Anniversary and Multidisciplinary Approach

After 25 years of existence, CIAJ updates its mandate and takes a multidisciplinary approach in identifying and addressing leading-edge issues.

2001

Creation of a Research Fellowship

Creation of the Charles D. Gonthier Research Fellowship (awarded annually since then). All recipients and research reports can be found on this page.

2006

Creation of the National Roundtables

First National Roundtable on Administration Law, entitled “Exclusive and Concurrent Jurisdiction” (held every year since then). Past roundtables on administrative law are listed here.

2013

1st Online Program and Essay Prize

First online program (webinar) entitled “Inviting Drafting Instructions”; Creation of the Christine Huglo Robertson Essay Prize for Law Students (awarded annually since then). All recipients are listed at the bottom of this page.

2014

40th Anniversary and Social Media

CIAJ celebrates its 40th Anniversary, reviews its statutes and takes its first steps on social media. Today, is active on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

2016

Creation of the President’s Award and Blog

Creation of the President’s Award (awarded every two years); First blog post, entitled “Why CIAJ is as relevant as ever after 42 years.

2020

Creation of the Podcast

Creation of CIAJ’s podcast channel “In All Fairness” and release of the first episode, entitled “Welcome to Judgment Writing School!