UNA mourns the passing of Chief Justice Ritu Khullar

United Nurses of Alberta is saddened to learn of the passing of the Honourable Ritu Khullar, who had served as Chief Justice of Alberta, the Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories, and the Nunavut Court of Appeal since 2022.

Before Khullar’s appointment to the Court of Queen’s Bench in March 2017, she practiced law in Edmonton with Chivers Carpenter and worked with UNA as the union’s external counsel. 

In that role, she represented UNA in many cases including at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2016 when the union received intervenor status in a case related to addictions in the workplace, an issue about which UNA has been advocating for many years.

Khullar also appeared in front of the Supreme Court of Canada where she acted as counsel for the intervener for UNA in Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v Saskatchewan, successfully arguing the right to strike is protected by the Charter under freedom of association.

She was a respected and thoughtful legal voice in labour and employment, human rights, and constitutional issues in Alberta who understood the importance of compassion and justice in her application of the law.

“UNA is profoundly grateful for Chief Justice Khullar’s lasting legacy of service, counsel, and contributions to improving workplace conditions and employment rights for nurses and all Albertans,” said UNA President Heather Smith. “The compassion and dedication that Ritu exemplified everyday as a lawyer and in the judiciary is irreplaceable and she will be deeply missed.”

UNA’s sends its deepest condolences to Ritu Khullar’s husband, sons, and extended family and friends for their loss.