John Matheson

John Ross Matheson (14 November 1917 – 27 December 2013) was a Canadian politician, lawyer, and judge, who helped develop both the national flag of Canada and the Order of Canada.

Early life John Matheson was born in Arundel, Quebec, the son of the Reverend Dr. Alexander Dawson Matheson and his wife, Gertrude Matheson (née McCuaig). Matheson underwent training at the Royal Military College of Canada in 1936. He graduated from Queen's University in 1940, winning the prestigious Tricolour Award in that year for distinguished achievement.

Military career Matheson served as an officer with the 1st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 1st Canadian Infantry Division in Italy during World War II.

Matheson participated in the Battle of Ortona, where an air bursting German shell sent shrapnel into his head and caused damage similar to a stroke. He was left paralyzed from the neck down and unable to speak. He recovered after returning to Canada, but never regained the use of his right leg. His injuries caused him lifelong pain, and afterwards, he usually walked with the assistance of a cane.

Matheson held honorary militia appointments with the 30th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery from 1972 to 1982. Afterwards, he retired with the rank of Colonel.

Family and legal career After the war, Matheson met Edith Bickley, a radiologist's assistant, in St. Anne de Bellevue Hospital in Montreal, Quebec. He said they would never have met if she hadn’t been such a curious nurse. The couple married and eventually had six children. He received a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, a Master of Arts degree from Mount Allison University, and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1948 and was created a Queen's Counsel in 1967. Matheson wrote a book, Canada's Flag: A Search for a Country, about the creation of the new flag.

Matheson later played an important role in the creation of the Order of Canada, as one of its founders. He also influenced the design of the order's insignia, created by Bruce W. Beatty.

Matheson was portrayed by Peter MacNeill in a Heritage Minute television commercial about his involvement in the Flag committee.

Judicial appointment In 1968, Matheson was appointed a judge of the Judicial District of Ottawa-Carleton. In 1984, he was appointed a judge of the County Court of Lanark. In 1985, he was appointed a judge of the District Court of Ontario. From 1990 to 1992, he was a justice of the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division).

One of Matheson's most notable decisions was in Clark v. Clark, a case that heavily influenced the law regarding the capacity of disabled persons. Matheson ruled that 20-year-old Justin Clark, who suffered from cerebral palsy, was mentally competent to make his own decisions and should not be forced into the guardianship of his parents. The case has been described as "a pivotal moment in the Canadian disability rights movement" and lead to a widespread re-examination of provincial guardianship laws. Matheson later described giving this decision as his proudest moment.

Honours Matheson was the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians, awarded to a former parliamentarian "who has made an outstanding contribution to the country and its democratic institutions." (1999) He was also made a Fellow of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada in 1979 as one of its founding members.

Canadian medals, orders, and decorations

Awarded in 1967 March 20, 1990 (registered by the Canadian Heraldic Authority) escutcheon = Gyonny of eight Sable and Gules a lion rampant Or armed and langued Azure over all a fess Argent charged with three hawks' heads erased Gules crest = Within a loyalist military coronet Or leaved Gules a dexter hand and forearm proper issuant holding a plough culter in bend Vert motto = badgeimage = John Matheson Heraldic Badge (Canada).svg badge = The Crest within a Canadian belt Sable buckle inscribed with the Motto Or