Malliha Wilson
{{Short description|Tamil Canadian lawyer}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Malliha Wilson
| office = Assistant Deputy Attorney General of Ontario
| termstart = April 2008
| termend = November 2016
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|11|5}}
| relatives = {{Plainlist|
- Alfred Jeyaratnam Wilson (father)
- Susili Wilson (mother)
- S. J. V. Chelvanayakam (grandfather)}}
| alma_mater = {{Plainlist| McGill University * Osgoode Hall Law School}}
| parliament = Ontario Provincial
| birth_place = Colombo, Sri Lanka
| occupation = Lawyer
| residence = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| image =
}}
Malliha Wilson is a Tamil Canadian lawyer{{Cite web|url=http://navawilson.law/|title=Nava Wilson LLP}} who served as
an Assistant Deputy Attorney General of the Government of Ontario from April 2008 to November 2016.
Wilson currently serves as the Senior Counsel at the law firm Nava Wilson LLP in Toronto, Ontario.{{Cite web|url=https://navawilson.law/about/|title=About {{!}} Nava Wilson LLP|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-07}}
She was formerly Special Legal Advisor at the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO). She specializes in human rights, Indigenous, constitutional, corporate and labour law, and other complex litigation.{{Cite web|url=https://tamilculture.com/tellippalai-supreme-court-veteran-litigator-malliha-wilson/|title=From Tellippalai to the Supreme Court, Veteran Litigator Malliha Wilson|website=TamilCulture|access-date=September 20, 2017}}
Early life and family
Wilson's father, Professor Alfred Jeyaratnam Wilson, was a Sri Lankan Tamil academic, historian and author.
Wilson's grandfather, S. J. V. Chelvanayakam, was a Ceylon Tamil lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament. He was the founder and leader of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) and Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and a political leader of the Ceylon Tamil community for more than two decades.
She has two siblings, Maithili and Kumanan,{{Cite web|url=http://www.island.lk/2000/06/04/news.html|title=Tribute to Prof. A. J. Wilson|website=The Island}} is married to Helder Travassos and has a daughter (Melanie).{{Cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=maria-almerinda-travassos&pid=121431582|title=Maria Almerinda Travassos|website=Toronto Star}}
Education
Wilson completed her undergraduate degree at the McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. She completed her law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto, Ontario in 1981.{{Cite web|url=http://news.yorku.ca/2012/05/22/seven-distinguished-osgoode-hall-law-school-alumni-receive-awards/|title=Seven distinguished Osgoode Hall Law School alumni receive awards|website=York University}}
Career
Wilson began her career in the Ontario Public Service in 1987 after being called to the bar in 1983.{{Cite web|url=https://tamilculture.com/tellippalai-supreme-court-veteran-litigator-malliha-wilson|title=From Tellippalai to the Supreme Court, Veteran Litigator Malliha Wilson|website=TamilCulture.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-12}} She first joined the Counsel for the Ministry of Government Services in 1987 and served as counsel in the newly formed Native Affairs Secretariat for Ontario.
From 2000 to 2004 she served as the Legal Director for the Ministry of Labour, from 2004 to 2008 as the Director of the Crown Law Office-Civil, and then became the Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Civil Law Division. Upon concluding an 8-year term in that role, Wilson became Special Legal Advisor at the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario.
In 2009 she received the South Asian Bar Association, a Distinguished Career Award.{{Cite web|url=http://sabatoronto.com/saba-awards/past-award-winners/|title=SABA Toronto Past Award Winners|website=South Asian Bar Association of Toronto}} In 2012 her alma mater, Osgoode Hall Law School, awarded her a Gold Key Award for the Public Sector.{{Cite web|url=https://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/alumni/alumni-awards/gold-key/gold-key-award-winners/|title=Alumni Gold Key Recipients|website=Osgoode Hall Law School|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-12}} In 2015 the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers awarded her the Lawyer of Distinction Award.{{Cite web|url=https://on.facl.ca/events/awards-past-recipients/|title=Awards & Past Recipients – FACL|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-12}}
After her time at the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario, Wilson transferred to the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario in November 2016 to work as Special Legal Advisor.
Wilson co-founded Nava Wilson LLP, a Toronto-based law firm, in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://navawilson.law/about/|title=About {{!}} Nava Wilson LLP|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-12}}
Wilson currently serves on the Principal's Advisory Group at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Supreme Court of Canada Cases
= Notable Cases =
Wilson has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada on the following cases:
- Carter v. Canada, 2016 SCC 4{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcast-webdiffusion-eng.aspx?cas=35591|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast - 35591|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2009-02-09|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- John Doe v Ontario (Finance), 2014 SCC 36{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=34828&id=2013/2013-11-06--34828&date=2013-11-06&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2013-11-06 - 34828|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Bruno Appliance and Furniture, Inc v Hryniak, 2014 SCC 8{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=34645&id=2013/2013-03-26--34641_34645&date=2013-03-26&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2013-03-26 - 34645|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Ontario (Minister of Finance) v. Ontario (Information and Privacy Commissioner), 2014 SCC 36{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=34828&id=2013/2013-11-06--34828&date=2013-11-06&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2013-11-06 - 34828|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Grassy Narrows First Nations v. Ontario (Natural Resources), 2014 SCC 48{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=35379&id=2014/2014-05-15--35379&date=2014-05-15&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2014-05-15 - 35379|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Her Majesty the Queen v Criminal Lawyers’ Association of Ontario, 2013 SCC 43{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=34317&id=2012/2012-12-12--34317&date=2012-12-12&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2012-12-12 - 34317|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Penner v Niagara (Regional Police Services Board), 2013 SCC 19{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=33959&id=2012/2012-01-11--33959&date=2012-01-11&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2012-01-11 - 33959|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Antrim Truck Centre Ltd v Ontario (Transportation), 2013 SCC 13{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=34413&id=2012/2012-11-14--34413&date=2012-11-14&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2012-11-14 - 34413|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Lax Kw'alaams Indian Band v Canada (Attorney General), 2011 SCC 56*{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=33581&id=2011/2011-02-17--33581&date=2011-02-17&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2011-02-17 - 33581|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- R v Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd, 2011 SCC 42{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=33559&id=2011/2011-02-24--33559_33563&date=2011-02-24&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2011-02-24 - 33559|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Phillion v. Ontario (Attorney General), 2014 CarswellOnt 14330{{Cite web|url=https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/4357/index.do|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Search|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2001-01-01|website=scc-csc.lexum.com|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Kenneth Hill v. Brittany Beaver, 2020 CarswellOnt 455{{Cite web|url=https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/sum-som-eng.aspx?cas=38792|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Summary - 38792|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2001-01-01|website=www.scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia (Minister of Transportation & Highways) 2010 SCC 4{{Cite web|url=https://scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=32460&id=2009/2009-03-23--32460&date=2009-03-23&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2009-03-23 - 32460|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. v. Carrier Sekani Tribal Council 2010 SCC 43*{{Cite web|url=https://scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcastview-webdiffusionvue-eng.aspx?cas=33132&id=2010/2010-05-21--33132&date=2010-05-21&fp=n&audio=n|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2010-05-21 - 33132|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2014-08-27|website=scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- D. (B.) v. Children's Aid Society of Halton (Region) 2007 SCC 38{{Cite web|url=https://scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcast-webdiffusion-eng.aspx?cas=31404|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast - 31404|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2009-02-09|website=scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
- Blank v. Canada (Department of Justice) 2006 SCC 39{{Cite web|url=https://scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcast-webdiffusion-eng.aspx?cas=30553|title=Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast - 30553|last=Canada|first=Supreme Court of|date=2009-02-09|website=scc-csc.ca|access-date=2020-01-30}}
Advocacy
Since joining Nava Wilson LLP, Wilson has represented the Tamil Canadian diaspora at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with respect to the crimes against humanity and war crimes that are alleged to have been committed against the Tamils of Sri Lanka during the Civil War. She was a member of the global Tamil diaspora team that was successful in keeping in place United Nations Resolution 40/1 at the UNHRC which holds the government of Sri Lanka accountable.{{Cite web|url=https://www.right-docs.org/doc/a-hrc-res-40-1/?path=doc/a-hrc-res-40-1|title=RES/40/1 Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka / RightDocs - Where human rights resolutions count|website=www.right-docs.org|access-date=2020-02-18}}
In the 2019 Canadian federal elections, Wilson successfully served as a campaign co-chair for Mary Ng, Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party of Canada (Markham-Thornhill), who was re-elected winning 53.75% of votes.{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5764771/canada-election-markham-thornhill/|title=Canada election results: Markham–Thornhill|website=Global News|language=en|date=September 22, 2019|access-date=October 29, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://tamilculture.com/tamil-canadians-and-their-impact-this-election-season-interview-with-mary-ng-and-malliha-wilson|title=Tamil Canadians and their Impact this Election Season: Interview with Mary Ng and Malliha Wilson|website=TamilCulture.com|language=en|date=October 20, 2019|access-date=October 29, 2019}}
Wilson was also elected as the Riding Chair for the Markham-Thornhill Federal Liberal Association in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://liberal.ca/ridings/markham-thornhill|title=Markham-Thornhill Federal Liberal Association {{!}} Liberal Party of Canada|website=liberal.ca|language=en|access-date=2020-02-18}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Malliha}}
Category:Canadian people of Sri Lankan Tamil descent
Category:McGill University alumni