A Saint Lucia born judge and former journalist was honored in Canada recently. The Honorable Justice Gregory Regis received the Vice Chancellor Award at the University of the West Indies Toronto Benefit Gala. The Gala, which is now in its tenth year has raised in excess of two million dollars which has in turn allowed 500 Caribbean students to obtain a University education. With the generous support of lead sponsor Scotiabank, other companies and individuals, the lives of hundreds of young people have been transformed in the last decade.
Also, 76 phenomenal leaders from around the world have been honoured at the event attended by about 4,500 guests since 2010. Among honorees are Damian Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, singer Deborah Cox, Joy Spence, the world’s first female master blender, and Saint Lucian Justice Gregory Regis.
Gregory Regis was appointed a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in January 1999. He was born and grew up in the fishing village of Dennery.
In 2004, he was appointed Local Administrative Judge (LAJ) in Oshawa.
In 2007, he was appointed Regional Senior Justice (RSJ) for the Central East Region, becoming the first non-white person to hold that office. Regional Senior Judges exercise the powers of the Chief Justice in their regions. They also serve on the Executive Council of the Court. He served in that office for the maximum allowable two terms (six years).
He retired in 2014, but continues to serve as a part-time judge. In February 2017, he was appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University.
Before becoming a judge, his legal career included one year in private practice, four years as Executive Director of the Jane Finch Legal Aid Clinic, and eight years as an Assistant Crown Attorney.
But even before that he worked as a primary school teacher in Saint Lucia. He later worked as a laboratory technician and as a journalist.
His journalism career included positions as photo journalist at The Voice Newspaper (Saint Lucia’s National newspaper) , News Editor at Radio Saint Lucia and correspondent in Saint Lucia for several Caribbean and International news organizations, including The Associated Press (AP), Trinidad Express Newspaper, Radio Guardian (Trinidad and Tobago) and Radio Antilles.
In Canada, he worked as an editor for CBC TV before entering law school. While studying law, he held a regular part-tine position in the CBC national radio newsroom in Toronto as an editor and producer.
He is the recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Saint Lucia Governor General’s Award, the BBPA’s Harry Jerome Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ontario Medal for Community Service and the African Canadian Achievement Award for Law.
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