Full Name
The Honourable Doug Downey
Job Title
Attorney General of Ontario
Speaker Bio
Attorney General Doug Downey is driving historic transformation across Ontario’s justice system. Noteworthy modernization in areas of technology, processes, and system capacity are central to his vision. Downey’s leadership played a central role in provincial decisions like implementing federally required cannabis legalization. He also led the charge in establishing iGaming Ontario—making Ontario the first Canadian jurisdiction to regulate online gaming, earning the province international recognition.
Doug Downey is committed to strengthening access to justice, modernization, and community safety. That commitment was especially clear during the COVID-19 pandemic as the courts transitioned online and processes shifted in real time. His over six years of steady leadership as Attorney General have paved the way for Ontario’s digital transformation, backed by a commitment to safeguard access to justice. He is recognized within government as a hands-on leader who challenges assumptions and delivers practical solutions—centred on the needs of people and communities. His time as a Court Clerk and Court Registrar before law school continues to drive his perspective in the justice system.
With a law degree from Dalhousie University and a Masters of Law from Osgoode Hall, in addition to an undergrad from Wilfrid Laurier and a Masters in Judicial Administration from Brock University, Downey has long been an innovator in the legal profession. He pioneered new practices in real estate law, co-founded a firm in 2001 with former federal Attorney General Doug Lewis, and held leadership roles with the Ontario Bar Association and many other organizations.
Elected as the MPP for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte in 2018, starting as Parliamentary Assistant to Finance, and then appointed Attorney General in 2019, Downey continues to advance an ambitious modernization agenda—harnessing technology, eliminating outdated practices, and building a justice system ready for the challenges people and businesses face in Ontario.
Doug Downey is committed to strengthening access to justice, modernization, and community safety. That commitment was especially clear during the COVID-19 pandemic as the courts transitioned online and processes shifted in real time. His over six years of steady leadership as Attorney General have paved the way for Ontario’s digital transformation, backed by a commitment to safeguard access to justice. He is recognized within government as a hands-on leader who challenges assumptions and delivers practical solutions—centred on the needs of people and communities. His time as a Court Clerk and Court Registrar before law school continues to drive his perspective in the justice system.
With a law degree from Dalhousie University and a Masters of Law from Osgoode Hall, in addition to an undergrad from Wilfrid Laurier and a Masters in Judicial Administration from Brock University, Downey has long been an innovator in the legal profession. He pioneered new practices in real estate law, co-founded a firm in 2001 with former federal Attorney General Doug Lewis, and held leadership roles with the Ontario Bar Association and many other organizations.
Elected as the MPP for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte in 2018, starting as Parliamentary Assistant to Finance, and then appointed Attorney General in 2019, Downey continues to advance an ambitious modernization agenda—harnessing technology, eliminating outdated practices, and building a justice system ready for the challenges people and businesses face in Ontario.
Speaking At
