The Honourable William Hourigan

The Honourable William Hourigan has a distinguished career in law and public service, serving as a former judge and senior litigator.

Mr. Hourigan served on the Court of Appeal for Ontario beginning in 2013, retiring in November 2025. During this time, he completed two terms as the Chief Justice’s representative on the Ontario Civil Rules Committee, contributing to the development of the province’s civil justice framework. Mr. Hourigan began his judicial career in 2009 as a judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the Central West Region—the busiest trial jurisdiction in Canada—where he presided over jury and non-jury civil, criminal, and family matters. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Superior Court Judges’ Association.

Mr. Hourigan also has an extensive record leading independent inquiries and reviews for government. In 2025, he completed an investigation under Alberta’s Police Act for the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services. This review examined the interactions between the City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Police Service, and the Edmonton Police Commission, resulting in his report and recommendations to strengthen and modernize civilian oversight of police services. In 2021, Mr. Hourigan was appointed by the Ontario Minister of Transportation as the Commissioner of the Public Inquiry into the Ottawa Light Rail Transit system. This large-scale inquiry involved over one hundred witness interviews, public hearings, community meetings, and expert consultations. His final report, delivered one year later, provided 103 detailed recommendations to address systemic issues and prevent failures in future major infrastructure projects.

Before his appointment to the bench, Mr. Hourigan built a distinguished legal career at Fasken, an international law firm, where he ultimately became a partner and chair of the firm’s litigation department and a member of its management board.
Mr. Hourigan is a graduate with distinction from McGill University and Osgoode Hall Law School. In 2025, he received Osgoode Hall’s Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award.