Hall, Emmett Matthew

▪ 1996

      Canadian lawyer and judge (b. Nov. 29, 1898, St-Colomban, Que.—d. Nov. 12, 1995, Saskatoon, Sask.), had a long legal career but had a larger impact outside the courtroom as an adviser to government leaders. He became known as the father of Canadian medicare after a commission he chaired at the request of his friend and former schoolmate John Diefenbaker, then Canada's prime minister, made radical recommendations in its 1964 report that led in 1968 to Canada's system of government-paid health insurance. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Hall was called to the Saskatchewan bar in 1922. His first appearance before Canada's Supreme Court came in 1928, and he became a king's counsel in 1935, continuing to appear before the court. He became (1957) chief justice of the Court of Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan and (1961) chief justice of Saskatchewan before being appointed (1962) to the Supreme Court of Canada. He retired in 1973. Among the other reports Hall made for the government were those on the Ontario educational system (1968) and grain handling and transportation (1977). He also served as a mediator in several labour conflicts and even at the age of 90 helped settle a logging dispute. In addition, he continued speaking out on government issues. Hall was a Companion of the Order of Canada, and the University of Ontario awarded him the only honorary medical degree ever given in Canada.

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