Truth be Told is a memoir of Former Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin. It is her evolution from being born in a remote agrarian town in Alberta, living in a house without electricity and running water, to becoming a lawyer, professor, judge, and ultimately a national icon.
Her life starts as Beverley Gietz, a girl from the Town of Pincher Creek, Alberta, of two thousand people. Those days were when segregation and gender-based expectations were a reality of everyday life. What set her apart early on were her progressive parents, who defied societal norms, prioritized her education and gave her a safe space to grow. She emanated curiosity and determination to educate herself and lightheartedly claims that Pincher Creek Municipal Library saved her life from the void that rural life created.
When Rory McLachlin entered young Beverley’s life, it brought them enduring love and support. As a young wife and mother, she meticulously managed her long working hours while raising her son with her husband. Their marriage was short-lived due to Rory’s terminal cancer, but their love was lasting. He always believed in her, and as his last wish, he convinced her to accept the role in the Supreme Court of Canada that the then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was urging her to take. With her intellect, hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck, she set her path in the judiciary, which changed the course of Canadian Law.
It is fascinating that she has seen the development of law from pre-Charter days to today, recognized the gaps and beautifully contributed towards the development of Charter rights. With no precedent, it was a pioneering era that compelled judges to take up the herculean task of interpreting and defining the fundamental rights for Canadians. She held the highest judicial position in the country for seventeen years and championed access to justice and equal rights for all. Her contribution towards the development of abortion rights, free speech, protection from sexual assault, decriminalizing assisted suicide, same-sex marriage and defining fiduciary duties towards Canada’s indigenous peoples has not only changed the lives of Canadians but also set ripple effects across the world. I was pleased to discover that the Supreme Court’s Cases in Brief, which many love reading, me included, was an initiative of Former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin.
It is enthralling how she went from a little girl making a collage of Queen Elizabeth’s royal wedding, winning the Queen Elizabeth scholarship for university education, to sitting with Queen Elizabeth during the Royal dinner and conversing with her during her 2002 visit to Canada for Golden Jubilee celebrations.
In her memoir, she deconstructs adjudication at different levels; while differentiating the role of a sole judge from that of a judge on a bench, she draws similar concerns faced by every judicial officer. The moral and intellectual challenge of finding the “right” answers to complex legal problems, factual uncertainties, and the responsibility to remain an impartial arbiter is insurmountable. As the holder of the highest judicial office, she naturally took it upon herself to be an exemplary judge and foster best practices in others carrying similar responsibilities. She delivered speeches on various occasions to explain the aspects of judging in a democratic state.
This book can be an excellent introduction for someone who does not know much about the legal system or government but is interested in understanding it. Each chapter is themed, and the author has correlated her life’s details with the landmark cases. Keeping everyone in mind, Beverley McLachlin also explains the roles of governmental branches, especially the judiciary.
Throughout her life and career, Former Chief Justice McLachlin has indefatigably worked to develop precedents and sometimes authored unpopular judgements, only to execute the letter and spirit of the law. She exhibited bravery in standing up to difficult people. Her career is a testament to her devotion to law and doing the right thing.
I picked this book when I required much-needed perspective and inspiration. And I got what I needed. I encourage my friends at the Bar, especially law students, to read this memoir; you will be intrigued by the fascinating life story of Canada’s living legend, Justice Beverley McLachlin.
Contemporology 