Toronto (Canada) – Fasken announced today that Christine Elliott, former Ontario Minister of Health and Deputy Premier, has joined the firm’s Health Law group as Counsel in the Toronto office.
For nearly two decades, Ms. Elliott has focused on making a positive difference in Canada’s health care system. Her political career includes positions such as Vice-Chair of the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, Critic of Health and Long-Term Care, Patient Ombudsman. minister responsible for long-term care and perhaps most notably, Minister of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Fasken, Ms. Elliott will focus on counseling clients across a broad range of health care sectors, as well as those in the biotech, and life sciences sectors. She, will provide guidance on navigating Canada’s rapidly evolving health regulatory environment.
“Christine is a proven public affairs leader, having helped lead the province of Ontario through the most significant health crisis in five generations, the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Peter Feldberg, Firm Managing Partner. “She has worked with leadership in the health care and life sciences sectors, as well as the inventors and the entrepreneurs who have brought innovations to market. Her extensive knowledge and experience will be integral in helping our clients navigate existing and emerging complexities around health care in Ontario and Canada.”
“Whether they are operators of hospitals, long-term care homes, hospices, private clinics or providers of home care, our clients look to us for both sound legal and strategic advice. I expect they will be as excited as we are to have Christine as a further great resource available to them,” said Lynne Golding, Co-Leader, Health Law Group.
“I’ve dedicated the better part of my career to advancing Ontario’s health care system. Joining Fasken, with one of the largest health law, life sciences and emerging tech practices in the country and with such a diverse client base, I know I will be able to continue making a difference in the Canadian health care system,” said Christine Elliott.
Called to the Ontario Bar in 1980, Ms. Elliott was a founding partner, along with her husband James (Jim) Flaherty, of the law firm Flaherty, Dow, Elliott & McCarthy. She was a Progressive Conservative member in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, where she represented the ridings of Whitby-Ajax, Whitby-Oshawa from 2006 to 2015, as well as Newmarket-Aurora from 2018 to 2022.
Christine has a particular interest in helping differently abled people, as well as people with mental health and addiction challenges, which led her to co-found Whitby’s Abilities Centre in the early 90’s. Ms. Elliott has also been a director on many boards, including Grandview Children’s Centre, Lakeridge Health Whitby Foundation and Durham Mental Health Services.
Ms. Elliott holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario.
About Fasken’s Health Law Practice
Fasken’s Health Law practice is recognized for its deep experience and trusted relationships with a wide range of health sector clients in each of our regional markets, as well as national-level expertise. Fasken acts for hundreds of health organizations across Canada. We work with private and public entities as well as non-profits and corporations whose activities intersect with the system. Our clients include hospitals, private clinics, health authorities, long-term care homes, healthcare professionals and their regulatory colleges, home care companies and independent health facilities, among others.
About Fasken
Fasken is a leading international law firm with more than 800 lawyers and 10 offices on four continents. Clients rely on us for practical and innovative legal services. We solve the most complex business and litigation challenges, providing exceptional value. For additional information, please visit the Firm’s website at fasken.com.
