The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch

Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

For his distinguished leadership within the Ontario and Canadian judiciary, his tireless commitment to advancing inclusive justice, and his unwavering advocacy for diversity and equity, the university proudly confers upon The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.  

The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch was appointed Chief Justice of Ontario and President of the Court of Appeal for Ontario in December 2022. He previously served as a trial judge on the Ontario Superior Court of Justice following his appointment in 2003, and was later elevated to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2012. He is the first Black judge appointed to the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the first Black Chief Justice in any province. 

In 2016, Chief Justice Tulloch was appointed by the Ontario government to lead two significant independent reviews: one focused on enhancing the transparency and accountability of police oversight bodies, and the other examining police-public interactions, including street checks. 

In the early 1990s, Chief Justice Tulloch worked as an assistant Crown attorney in Peel and Toronto. During this time, he also served on the government response teams for the Martin Committee Review in streamlining the criminal justice system, as well as for the Commission on Systemic Racism. 

His many professional appointments include Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, as well as Senior Fellow at Massey College, both at the University of Toronto. He has also been a Distinguished Research Fellow in the Centre of Law and Policy at Toronto Metropolitan University. Chief Justice Tulloch is also a member of the Canadian Judicial Council and a founding member and patron of the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation. 

Chief Justice Tulloch holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University and a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School. He has also received several previous honorary degrees.