The chief justice of Alberta has died after a battle with illness, ending a career that also saw her lead courts of appeal in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Khullar held the role of Alberta’s top judicial figure and served as chief justice for the Court of Appeal in multiple jurisdictions during her time on the bench.
In addition to her Alberta duties, she led the Court of Appeal for Nunavut and the Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories, reflecting a rare cross-territorial leadership role within Canada’s judicial system. The announcement notes her death follows a period of illness, though no further details about the illness or the timing were provided.
Khullar’s appointment marked a historic breadth of responsibility, as she steered the highest court in Alberta while simultaneously guiding the appellate systems for two other northern regions. Her work spanned across several key Canadian legal arenas, underscoring a career characterized by leadership within Canada’s appellate judiciary.
Tributes are expected to come from colleagues and legal professionals who recognized Khullar’s influence across multiple courts and regions. The circumstances surrounding her passing have not included additional information beyond the reported illness, and no statements regarding memorial plans or retirements were included in the initial report.
This development places the Alberta judiciary in a moment of transition, as the province and its legal community respond to the loss of a chief justice who also carried responsibilities in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Further details about her legacy, the timing of proceedings, or succession plans have not been disclosed in the current report.
