Bora Laskin
One of Canada’s greatest legal scholars, Bora Laskin overcame antisemitism to become the first Jewish Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Bora Laskin was born on 5 October 1912 in Fort William (now Thunder Bay). In 1930, he arrived at the University of Toronto to start his undergraduate studies. The Great Depression had started the year before, and paying school tuition was a great financial sacrifice for his family. Although he excelled in his studies, Laskin struggled to find work once he was called to the bar, possibly due to the rampant antisemitism in Toronto at the time. In 1940, he took a job teaching law at the University of Toronto. In 1965, Laskin was appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal, where he frequently dissented with the majority ruling, becoming known as a champion of civil liberties. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau appointed him to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1970, and in 1973 appointed him as Chief Justice. Maintaining an extensive career which spanned many notable cases, Laskin was known as an innovative educator and the first academic on the Supreme Court.
Credits:
Bora Laskin: Victor Garber
20s Bora Laskin: Nathan Bois-McDonald
Young Bora Laskin: Jacob Davidov
Elena Dunkelman - Bluma "Dolly" Laskin
Elan Evan - Mendel "Max" Laskin
End Narration: Rt. Hon Beverley McLachlin
Director: Charles Wahl
1st Assistant Director: Conor M. O’Brien
Director of Photography: Grant Cooper
1st Assistant Camera: Eric Schweiger
Editor: Amy Mielke
Composer: Didier Tovel
Production designer: Olivia D’Oliveria
Costume stylist: Carmen Amini
Hair and makeup: Brodine Naugle
Production Manager: Molly West
Story Editor: Kate Barris
Written by Sam Rosenthal and Drew Carnwarth
Producer: Mike Masters
Produced by Accomplice Content Supply Co
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