Join WhatsApp Channel
Ritu Khullar, the first jurist of Indian descent to serve as chief justice of Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, died on September 3 after battling cancer.
She is survived by her husband and two sons.
Khullar was sworn in as chief justice in February 2023, succeeding Catherine Fraser, who had served in the role since 1992.
Born in the northern Alberta community of Fort Vermilion, Khullar was the daughter of a Sikh mother and a Hindu father. Both of her parents were teachers who immigrated to Canada from Punjab. When their families opposed their marriage, the couple decided to settle in Alberta before starting a family.
Khullar grew up in Morinville and attended the University of Alberta before enrolling at the University of Toronto’s law school in 1988.
She often spoke about her identity and Canadian upbringing.
“I am proud of my heritage. My parents came from India. But that’s not what defines me. I never refer to myself as South Asian. I describe myself as Canadian. My parents raised us as Canadians. Full stop,” she said.
Khullar was the first woman of South Asian descent to serve as a provincial chief justice in Canada, although she sometimes expressed discomfort when that aspect of her identity was emphasized.
Canada’s justice minister mourned Khullar’s death in a statement, describing her as a respected jurist and leader.
“Today, we mourn the loss of a respected jurist and leader, the Honorable Ritu Khullar, Chief Justice of Alberta, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories, and Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nunavut.
“Chief Justice Khullar served Canadians with compassion, integrity, intelligence and humility throughout the course of her exceptional legal career.
“In private practice and then as a judge, she poured her values and her passion into her work, never wavering from her firm belief in fairness, the rule of law, and justice for every member of our society.
“The role of Chief Justice requires sound judgment, a wealth of knowledge, and a profound understanding of the importance of a fair justice system. She used the position to advance access to justice and protect the Court’s institutional independence.
“Chief Justice Khullar’s many contributions will surely inspire us as we continue to work together to protect our democracy and build a justice system that serves all people with fairness and humanity.
“May her remarkable legacy provide her loved ones with comfort and peace in this time of sorrow,” the statement said.
The Alberta Court also paid tribute to Khullar and her judicial legacy.
“The Honorable Ritu Khullar was a respected jurist whose intellect, thoughtfulness, and compassion were reflected in her work,” the court said in a statement. “She never lost sight of the impact her decisions had on the lives of the parties before her. She understood that justice is the application of law to life.”
Khullar had been on medical leave since January after undergoing surgery late last year. Dawn Pentelechuk had been serving as acting chief justice during her absence.
