John Gomery
John Gomery is a prominent Canadian lawyer and former judge, best known for his role in investigating the sponsorship scandal involving the Canadian federal government in the early 2000s. Born on August 9, 1932, in Montreal, Quebec, he completed his education at McGill University, earning degrees in arts and civil law. Gomery began his legal career in 1957 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a partner at a prominent law firm and later being appointed Queen's Counsel in 1972.
His most notable public service came in February 2004 when he was appointed to lead the Gomery Commission, a significant inquiry into allegations of corruption related to the government's sponsorship program aimed at improving its image in Quebec. The investigation revealed serious mismanagement and misuse of public funds, leading to criminal charges against several individuals. Gomery's findings garnered national attention, earning him accolades such as Newsmaker of the Year in 2005.
After retiring from the judiciary in 2007, he continued his involvement in public service, taking on roles such as president of the Quebec Press Council and engaging in political fundraising. Gomery is recognized for his contributions to law and journalism, receiving several awards throughout his career. He is married to Pierrette Rayle, a former judge, and they have four children.
Subject Terms
John Gomery
Jurist
- Born: August 9, 1932
- Place of Birth: Montreal, Quebec
- Died: May 18, 2021
Contribution: John Gomery is a Canadian lawyer and judge who gained national recognition for his role investigating the sponsorship scandal in the Canadian federal government in the early twenty-first century. Gomery was appointed to head a commission of inquiry into charges of corruption relating to the Canadian government’s sponsorship program in Quebec. The commission became known as the Gomery Commission.
Early Life and Education
John H. Gomery was born on August 9, 1932, in Montreal, Quebec. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in 1953 and his bachelor of civil law in 1956 from McGill University, where he was an associate editor of the McGill Law Journal. He was admitted to the bar in Quebec in 1957.
Legal Career
In 1957, Gomery began his legal career practicing family law, bankruptcy, and commercial litigation with the firm Fasken Martineau Dumoulin (now Fasken Martineau), where he became partner in 1966. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1972, and in 1982, Gomery was named a justice on the Superior Court of Quebec.
Gomery’s most public role began in February 2004, when he was appointed to head a commission of inquiry into the Canadian government’s advertising activities in Quebec, an episode widely known as the “sponsorship scandal.” Created by Prime Minister Paul Martin, the Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities, better known as the Gomery commission, was charged with investigating corruption and misuse of public funds in a government advertising campaign that lasted from 1996 to 2004. Operating under the leadership of the Liberal Party, the campaign sought to improve the image of the federal government in the province of Quebec and offset public support for the Quebec independence movement.
The sponsorship program was found to have awarded millions of dollars in public money to advertising firms with ties to the Liberal Party, with those firms performing little or no work in return. Gomery compiled a report on the abuses, which led to an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with criminal charges brought against several public figures. The commission gained national attention, and Gomery was cited as Newsmaker of the Year by the Canadian Press and Canadian Newsmaker of the Year by Time magazine in 2005. The scandal is also regarded as having influenced the federal elections of 2006, which saw the Liberal Party defeated by the Conservative Party after twelve years of Liberal government.
Although the Gomery report exonerated Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and his chief of staff, Jean Pelletier, of direct responsibility for any financial wrongdoing, the report did conclude that they shared blame for mismanagement and poor oversight of the scheme. Chrétien sought to invalidate the Gomery report in federal court. Because of comments critical of Chrétien that Gomery had made in the press, a federal judge ruled in 2008 that he had shown bias, and cleared Chrétien and Pelletier of wrongdoing.
Gomery retired from the bench in 2007. In 2010, he was elected president of the Quebec Press Council, an organization devoted to defending a free press and maintaining high journalistic standards. He also became involved in fundraising for Projet Montréal, a municipal political party in his hometown.
In 2008, Gomery received the F.R. Scott Award for Distinguished Contribution from the McGill Faculty of Law, which honors contributions to the school and society by McGill alumni. The Canadian Bar Association awarded Gomery the Hnatyshyn Prize in 2007.
Personal Life
Gomery and his wife, Pierrette Rayle, who worked as a judge with the Quebec Court of Appeal, have four children.
Bibliography
“The Hon. Pierrette Rayle and the Hon. John Gomery receive the F.R. Scott Award.” McGill University. McGill University, 3 Apr. 2008. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.
“Justice John Gomery Is Elected President of the Quebec Press Council.” CTV Montreal News. Bell Media, 19 Feb. 2010. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.
“Justice John Gomery Named Winner of 2007 CBA Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Law.” Canadian Bar Association. Canadian Bar Association, 11 Aug. 2007. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.
MacCharles, Tonda. “Gomery Was Biased in Report, Judge Rules.” Star. Toronto Star Newspapers, 27 June 2008. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.
“Sponsorship Scandal: Who’s Who: Players.” CBC News. CBC, 18 Apr. 2008. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.