Bonnie Tulloch, a judge on the Nunavut Court of Justice for more than 10 years with a long career in legal aid, died Sept. 26. She is pictured here on the day she was sworn in as a judge on Aug. 10, 2012, at a ceremony at the Nunavut Court of Justice. (File photo by David Murphy)
Former Nunavut judge Bonnie Tulloch remembered for fairness, compassion
Spent 10 years on the Nunavut Court of Justice before retiring in 2022
Friends and colleagues Friday remembered retired Justice Bonnie Tulloch for bringing fairness and compassion to her 10 years of work on the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Tulloch, who was 70, died from cancer at her home in Winchester, Ont., near Ottawa, on Sept. 26.
Susan Cooper, the acting chief justice on the Nunavut Court of Justice, remembers Tulloch for being the “reliable first ‘good morning’ of the day” in chambers.
In a release on behalf of the judges of the Nunavut Court of Justice on Friday, Cooper said Tulloch’s sentiment was always “we persevere, because we must,” in the face of a challenge.
Tulloch brought “fairness and compassion to every decision, treating all Nunavummiut with the utmost respect,” recalled Jessika Withers, a Crown counsel at the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
Tulloch was called to the Ontario bar in 1996, the Northwest Territories bar in 1998 and the Nunavut bar in 1999.
In 2005, she became chief federal prosecutor in the Nunavut regional office of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and later served as its special adviser on northern issues in Ottawa.
In March 2012, Tulloch was appointed as a judge with the Nunavut Court of Justice.
“When she was appointed, she said that when she finished 10 years in the position she would be 70 years old and that she didn’t want to work past that age,” said Mervin Tulloch, her husband of 51 years.
True to her word, Bonnie Tulloch retired in October 2022.
“Throughout her career in Nunavut, Justice Tulloch demonstrated her commitment to Inuit, our communities, and the fair application of the law,” said David Akeeagok, Nunavut’s minister of justice, in a news release Friday.
Tulloch’s pre-law career began as a court reporter in Ontario before the judges recommended she study law, her husband said.
Tulloch was accepted into York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, where she received a bachelor of laws degree in 1995.
“One of her professors told her she had an aptitude for criminal law, so she specialized in criminal justice,” Mervin Tulloch said.
After graduating, she became a partner at a Bracebridge, Ont. legal firm but was “putting in many hours of work for almost next to nothing,” he said.
Tulloch decided to apply for a job with the N.W.T. Legal Services Board, where she met Neil Sharkey — who recently retired as chief justice of the Nunavut Court of Justice — who was serving on the board.
Despite not getting the job, the board was so impressed with Tulloch that they offered her another position as executive director for the Keewatin Legal Services Centre Society in Rankin Inlet.
What was initially supposed to be a two-year move north became 27 years, said Mervin Tulloch.
Bonnie Tulloch later became executive director of the newly created Nunavut Legal Services Board, located in Gjoa Haven, from 2000 to 2003.
After a couple of years, she decided to go into private practice in Iqaluit, as it was easier from there to visit her sick mother living down south, said her husband.
“But she didn’t really like working alone,” he said.
This changed when she was offered the position of Crown prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada in late 2004.
“The reason she got these opportunities was not because she was at the right place at the right time, but because of her merits,” said Mervin Tulloch.
During her time in the North, Bonnie Tulloch was also president of the Nunavut Criminal Bar Association in 1998 and vice-president of the Law Society of Nunavut in 1999.
She was also a member of the Violence Against Women Working Group chaired by the deputy minister of justice for Nunavut from 2005 to 2007.
Tulloch was vice-chairperson of the Nunavut Federal Council in 2006 and 2007 and president of the Nunavut chapter of the Canadian Bar Association for two years.
Mervin Tulloch said his wife appreciated the work done by court staff.
“She always said, you can’t have a good judgeship without a good clerk, good court reporter or good staff,” he said. “You can’t do it alone and she valued everyone as much as she valued herself.”
Bonnie Tulloch is survived by her husband of 51 years, Mervin Tulloch, their three children and four grandchildren.
Bonnie was a very kind, compassionate woman, ideally suited to her crowning career as a Nunavut judge. She also was pivotal in the early years of the Nunavut Legal Services Board when she and her beloved husband Merv were happy to have lived in Gjoa Haven. I loved that Bonnie did not let her being a judge stop her from enjoying steak nights on Fridays at the Legion. Nunavut was blessed to have had her services.
So sad. Condolences and hugs to you, Mervin, and your family from Helen and Paul.
Rest in Peace, Justice Bonnie Tulloch. You were always kind to me, in court and outside of it. My deepest condolences to Merv and the entire family.
Condolences. She will be missed.
Bonnie and Merv spent a few years working in Gjoa Haven and although their stay was short, I always remember Bonnie as a super-friendly, kind person who would brighten up your day. Our condolences to Merv and family.
Justice Tulloch made friends wherever she went in Nunavut. In the often contentious situations in court, she was a person of integrity who always remained committed to her role as a judge.
She was also determined! After being told she had just weeks to live, she persevered for another year and danced at her daughter’s wedding this past summer.
My condolences to Merv and the family. Rest in peace, Bonnie.
Justice Tulloch was my first boss when I arrived in Iqaluit. I am forever grateful for the opportunity she gave me and the faith she had in me despite my glaring inexperience.
She was a gem and I will miss her. All the best to Merv and family.
A person, with a heart and compassion for everyone, She seen good in everyone, going to be missed, God took her back early.
Such a loss. Bonnie was a fine legal professional, and a wonderful human being. Glad to have known her and called her a friend during my time in Nunavut.
I had the pleasure of meeting and sharing sometime with Bonnie and Merv during their time they lived and worked in Gjoa Haven. Their company was always appreciated and heart felt. To Merv and family, I wish to express my sincere condolences during this time of great sorrow. Bonnie’s spirit and love of the people of the North will be greatly missed.
Bonnie Tulloch was a remarkable woman who truly embodied the spirit of justice through her work. She was a breath of fresh air in what can often feel like a very gloomy justice system. Her compassion, fairness, and welcoming demeanor were not just traits; they were her gifts to all who crossed her path. In Nunavut, she served as a beacon of hope and understanding, reminding us all of the importance of empathy and integrity in the pursuit of justice. Her presence enriched our community, and her legacy will continue to inspire us to strive for a more just and compassionate world. Though we mourn her loss, we are forever grateful for the light she brought into our lives.
Condolences to Justice Tulloch’s family and friends.
Our Condolences to the family especially Mervin. Bonnie always made time to say hello and ask about my Family.
I would like to thank all the comments on this article. My wife was quite a person who valued people and always looked to the good in people. Her judgments were always fair and just with those thoughts in mind. I have to tell you a bit of humour…. She/we have had persons coming up to her on the streets. Thinking they may mean harm I was very aware but then they would say. Hi Justice Tulloch. You sent me away but I am better now and “thankyou”. Kind of boggles your mind maybe.
She took it in stride, usually recognizing them and saying. That’s really nice. Make sure you don’t appear before me again… I am sure this happens to most of the judges in Nunavut but I just wanted to share this. These judges are human beings also and sometimes they need to be reassured.
Bonnie’s celebration of life is: https://www.hpmcgarry.ca/memorials/bonnie-tulloch/5371204/index.php