By Jasminee Sahoye
He has received outstanding recognition for his contributions to society, the justice system and to the black community. Not only has he been recognized for legal work when he was appointed the first black judge to the Court of Appeal last year, but Justice Michael Tulloch is now being recognized by his alma mater, York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.
On Tuesday, the Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA) at Osgoode presented the inaugural Honourable Lincoln Alexander Award to Justice Tulloch, for his leadership, vision and passionate dedication to the community, as part of the school’s Black History Month celebrations.
The BLSA created the award to pay tribute to the pioneering efforts of Alexander, the first black member of Canada’s Parliament and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, who passed away in 2012.
Alexander graduated from Osgoode in 1953 while Tulloch completed his studies in 1989.
Tulloch who was born in Jamaica came to Canada at age 9 served as Chair of a review panel of Osgoode Hall Law School’s admissions policy in 2006. He is a member of the Ontario Superior Court’s Education Committee and of the National Judicial Institute. He is an academic fellow of both McLaughlin and Vanier College of York University.
York’s BLSA plans to recognize the leadership and contributions of other Osgoode alumni including retired judge George Carter who graduated in 1948 , the late Leonard Braithwaite who was the first black Canadian to be elected to the Ontario Legislature and Margarett Best, a member of the provincial parliament and former cabinet minister under the McGuinty government during this month.