Sheilah L. Martin: Pioneering Justice on Canada’s Supreme Court

Ottawa, January 13, 2026 – Sheilah L. Martin is a distinguished Canadian jurist who has served as a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada since 2017. Born in Montreal and educated in both civil and common law, she has dedicated her career to advancing fairness, equality, and justice in Canadian society.

Early Life and Education

Sheilah L. Martin was born on May 31, 1956, in Montreal, Quebec. She pursued her legal education at McGill University, earning a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Bachelor of Common Law in 1981. She later obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1983 and a Doctorate of Juridical Science from the University of Toronto in 1991. Her training in both civil and common law systems equipped her with a unique perspective on Canadian jurisprudence.

Career in Law and Academia

Martin’s professional journey began in academia and private practice. From 1982 to 1986, she worked as a researcher and law professor at the University of Calgary. She also taught in the common law and civil law exchange program organized by the federal Department of Justice and served as a visiting professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. In 1991, she became Acting Dean and then Dean of the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law, where she taught courses on commercial transactions, feminist legal theory, and constitutional law.

In 1996, Martin transitioned to private practice, focusing on criminal and constitutional litigation in Calgary. She appeared before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and was awarded Queen’s Counsel. Her work included pro bono representation for organizations like the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund and the Alberta Association of Sexual Assault Centres. She also contributed to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and served as an expert witness in the Thomas Sophonow Inquiry on compensation for the wrongfully convicted.

Judicial Appointments

Martin was appointed to the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in 2005, where she served as a trial judge. She was one of the first judges in Canada to permit court journalists to use instant messaging during proceedings. In 2016, she was elevated to the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Throughout her judicial career, she emphasized fairness and innovation, including issuing Canada’s first judicial approval for assisted death under the Carter v Canada decision in 2016.

On November 29, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated Martin to the Supreme Court of Canada. She was appointed on December 18, 2017, filling the vacancy left by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin’s retirement. Her nomination was part of the government’s commitment to diversity and excellence in the judiciary.

Key Facts and Achievements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sheilah L. Martin’s role on the Supreme Court?

As a puisne justice, she participates in hearing appeals and delivering judgments on matters of national importance, including constitutional law, criminal justice, and equality rights.

How has Martin contributed to gender equality in law?

Martin has advocated for underrepresented groups in legal education and practice. Her scholarship and pro bono work focused on feminist legal theory and women’s rights, earning her recognition for advancing equality.

What notable cases has she been involved in?

Beyond her trial court work on assisted death, Martin has contributed to Supreme Court decisions on issues like victim surcharges and racial profiling in policing.