EDMONTON, Alberta — The Canadian legal community and judiciary are mourning the death of the Honourable Ritu Khullar, Chief Justice of Alberta and Chief Justice of the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories, who passed away on September 3, 2026, surrounded by her family at the age of 62. As reported by national Canadian news organizations, including the CBC News, her passing marks a significant loss for public service and appellate jurisprudence across Western and Northern Canada.
Judicial Service and Career Milestones
Chief Justice Khullar built a distinguished legal career spanning more than two decades in private practice, specializing in constitutional law, human rights, administrative law, labor and employment, and privacy matters.
2017: Appointed to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.
2018: Elevated to the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
November 2022: Appointed Chief Justice of Alberta, becoming the first South Asian woman to hold the province’s highest judicial office.
Colleagues across the bench and bar remembered Chief Justice Khullar for her intellectual rigor, fairness, and deep understanding of how judicial outcomes shape individual lives and public policy.
Medical Leave and Judicial Leadership Responses
Chief Justice Khullar had been on official medical leave since January 2026 following surgery, with court communications noting her ongoing health challenges. Judicial leaders and government officials across Canada issued formal statements expressing condolences to her husband, children, extended family, and colleagues, praising her pioneering leadership and enduring contributions to the Canadian justice system.
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