Canadian Health Law Practice Manual

The late John Morris, M.A., LL.B., was a Partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and the former National Leader for the Health Law Group. His practice was focused on health law and medical negligence. He, along with other members of the Health Law Group, acted for over a hundred facilities in Ontario. John was a key member of the BLG team that works with the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC). John appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, as well as numerous health-related administrative tribunals. He received the designation of Certified Specialist (Health Law) from the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2007. Mr. Morris passed away in February 2020.

The late Mr. Morris was a co-author of Canadian Nurses and the Law, 2nd Edition (Butterworths, 1999) and a consulting editor for the Canadian Health Law Practice Manual (Butterworths, 2000). He was an Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty of Law at Queen’s University in Alternative Dispute Resolution (2004–2009) and is an instructor for the Osgoode Professional Development Part-Time LL.M. Program. He was a frequent speaker and participated in programs with the Law Society, Ontario Hospital Association, the Canadian Institute and Insight. He was a member of The Advocates’ Society and a past president of the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto.

He was a true leader in the Canadian health law bar and a mentor to many fine lawyers who went on to build vibrant careers either within BLG or within the Canadian health care system.

Jocelyn Downie, B.A., M.A., M.Litt., LL.B., LL.M., S.J.D., is a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, and a Professor in the Schulich School of Law and the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University. Dr. Downie is a frequent speaker and a prolific writer on a variety of health-related topics. She has been involved in the development of health law curriculum for a variety of health professions.