Retired Judge Lloyd Budzinski
For 28 years I worked as an Ontario court judge after growing up and attending schools
right here in our community.
I have lived in south Etobicoke since the age of three. I went to schools in Long Branch
and New Toronto like many other residents, before studying law.
My father at one time owned Boulevard Fish and Chips in Long Branch and I grew up
helping him in the business. It was a great way to learn about life and people.
It was a long journey to finally be appointed Judge Lloyd Budzinski. I had practised criminal law in Etobicoke and Mississauga as a Crown Attorney, then defence counsel and advanced to
become eventually Ontario’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Criminal Law.
I was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1992 after being called to the Ontario
Bar in 1971. I was appointed Queen’s Counsel, (Q.C.) in 1982.
As the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, I was responsible for developing and admin-
istering a $80 million budget for 700 lawyers and support people.
I also oversaw the implementation of Domestic and Elder Abuse protocols, first Diver-
sion Policies in Ontario; implementation of the Victim Witness Program and new pro-
tocols in regards to Nursing Home Prosecutions.
What I have noticed over the years is that people seldom tell a judge the truth. People
are frightened that if they give an honest answer I would hold it against them.
I admit that only my wife and children feel free to criticize or tell me to change my
shoes, or that I am wrong. I crave honesty.
I find that many people misunderstand the criminal justice system and in my retirement
I want to share some of my experiences and how I learned to search for the truth.
I have literally presided over hundreds of cases over the years and when the gavel drops
at the end of the day I am a human being just like you.
I take out the garbage on Tuesdays – my wife challenges that statement. I like to lie on
the couch watching Saturday Night Hockey with a can of Molson’s. I have likes and
dislikes and I have had my share, though not many, of parking and speeding tickets.
I have opinions on many things, including my beloved Leafs’, interpretation of our
laws and challenges women and minorities may face in our justice system.
One of the important lessons I have learned is biases. They aren’t allowed on the Bench. I
am constantly aware that a mistake caused by a lack of objectivity or fairness can mean the
loss of someone’s liberty.
It means that everyone who testified before me, no matter what I know from the past, or
how that person may dress or speak is presumed to be telling the truth unless the evidence
proves otherwise.
If you have a legal question you can e-mail it to Judge Lloyd Budzinski in care of the South
Etobicoke News at thesouthetobicokenews@gmail.com
Judge Lloyd Budzinski retired after 28 years and was a former Crown Attor-
ney, Defence Counsel and Ontario’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Criminal Law.
He was Chief Prosecutor in the high-profile trial of former RCMP officer Pat-
rick Michael Kelly, who was found guilty of murder for throwing his wife from the 17th-floor balcony of their Palace Pier condo in March 1981.