The Honourable Elizabeth Walker

Credit: Balfour

The Honourable Elizabeth Walker received a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) (Gold Medalist, summa cum laude) from the University of Ottawa in 1986 and a Masters of Laws (BCL) from Oxford University in 1987. She was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1989. Justice Walker articled and practiced with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Toronto and Ottawa before joining the National Capital Commission in 1991 as counsel. She rejoined Osler in 1994 where her practice centered on corporate securities transactions, commercial and governance issues for Canadian and international clients. Justice Walker also taught the commercial law course at the University of Ottawa in 1995 and 1996. She was the managing partner of the Ottawa office of Osler from 2004 to 2014 and was a member of many senior management committees of the firm during that period. Justice Walker was a very active member of the business community for 20 years. She was a frequent speaker at events promoting the technology sector in Canada and was a guest lecturer at the University of Ottawa. Justice Walker speaks English and French fluently.

In 2014, Justice Walker was appointed Chair of the RCMP External Review Committee, a federal administrative tribunal located in Ottawa. As Chair, her primary focus was on administrative law, employment and labour law, and Charter and human rights issues. She guided the Committee through a significant transition period following the amendment of its mandate in November 2014.

Throughout her career, Justice Walker has been a strong proponent of the advancement of women in the legal profession. She has mentored and counselled women in all facets of the profession, informally and as a member of senior management.

Justice Walker was appointed to the Federal Court on February 26, 2018.