Justice Jonathan Bliss has been appointed as the new regional senior justice for the Toronto Region of the Ontario Court of Justice, effective August 15, 2024, according to an announcement from the Ontario government.
Justice Bliss, who has served on the Ontario Court of Justice since 2015, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His judicial career began in Barrie, where he played a key role in implementing the Simcoe County Drug Treatment Court. He also served as the local administrative judge for Simcoe County and Muskoka from 2018 to 2021, overseeing seven court locations. More recently, Justice Bliss presided over cases in Scarborough and the new Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto.
Before his judicial appointment, Justice Bliss practised criminal law after being called to the bar in 1993. He spent two years as an associate at Rosen, Fleming before establishing himself as a sole practitioner. His career also included nearly a decade with Legal Aid Ontario, where he was responsible for reviewing applications and assessing legal opinions.
In addition to his judicial duties, Justice Bliss has been actively involved in legal education. He has served as a mock trial judge for various educational programs, including those organized by the Ontario Justice Education Network, Seneca College, and Osgoode Hall Law School. His commitment to community service is reflected in his six years of volunteer work with Flemingdon Community Legal Services, where he provided legal assistance to low-income individuals.
As a regional senior judge, Justice Bliss will now assume responsibilities that include scheduling court hearings and assigning cases within his region. These duties are carried out under the authority of the chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice.
Justice Bliss’s appointment underscores his extensive experience and dedication to both the legal profession and the broader community.
