The Honourable Justice Harvey Brownstone |
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Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 1995 |
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Personal details | |
Born | July 24, 1956 Paris, France |
Nationality | Canadian |
Alma mater | Queen's University |
Occupation | Judge |
Harvey Brownstone is a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice.
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Brownstone was born on July 24, 1956 in Paris, France, and was raised in Hamilton, Ontario. He attended Scott Park Secondary School and received his LL.B. degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario in 1980 and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1983 after articling with criminal lawyer Leo Adler.
Brownstone worked as a Legal Aid duty counsel lawyer in the Toronto criminal courts from 1983 to 1985, and then practised criminal law with prominent criminal lawyers William A. Gorewich (now a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice) and Stephen Price.
In 1987 he joined the Research Facility of the Ontario Legal Aid Plan, where he became Head of the Family Law section. In 1989 he joined the Ministry of the Attorney General, Support and Custody Enforcement Branch, as counsel. The Support and Custody Enforcement Program was responsible for the enforcement of child and spousal support orders and custody orders. In 1991 he was appointed Legal Director of the Family Support Plan (which was the new name of the Support and Custody Enforcement Program) and in 1992 he was appointed Director of the entire Program while continuing to serve as Legal Director. The Program is now called the Family Responsibility Office, and is operated by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. He was appointed a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in 1995, making him the first openly gay judge in Canada.[1] Mr. Justice Brownstone presided in criminal court and family court for 6 years, and since 2001 has presided exclusively in family court, at the North Toronto Family Court.
In addition to his role in the court, Justice Brownstone has published a best selling book, Tug of War, on family law and frequently comments on family law and divorce issues in the Canadian national media.[2] The book was the first of its kind, written by a sitting judge on legal issues and intended for the general public. Justice Brownstone has dedicated 100% of the proceeds from his book to the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, and does not receive any remuneration from his show.[3]
In 2010, Justice Brownstone hosted an online talk show entitled Family Matters with Justice Harvey Brownstone which is the first talk show ever hosted by a sitting judge.[4]. Nine episodes were released in the first season and are now available through itunes. In 2011 Family Matters was renewed for a second season, comprising 15 episodes, which debuted on CHCH TV on September 13, 2011 and is also broadcast on a number of other independent Canadian TV stations. The episodes are now available for purchase on DVD (see the show's website at www.familymatterstv.com or the show's facebook page. The legal profession has expressed that the show will be a big tool in educating the public about family issues.[5]
His high visibility in Canadian society has made him one of the most recognizable faces of the Canadian justice system, especially due to his charisma and use of humour.[6]
Between the book and his TV show, Justice Brownstone has been described as "a maverick judge who is a pioneer that is unilaterally changing the public image of the judiciary."[7] In August 2010 Justice Brownstone received the prestigious "Colleague in the Spotlight" award from the Canadian Bar Association Judges' Forum.[8]
Justice Brownstone was featured in the documentary "Edie and Thea: A Very Long Engagement" (Bless Bless Productions, 2010), and is the subject of a full-length interview on the special features on the DVD.[9]
His commentary on the flaws in the family justice system have prompted reforms by the Attorney-General, who has enacted many of the changes suggested by Justice Brownstone. [10][11]