Christopher Watkins
Christopher Charles Watkins is a lawyer from Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada. He was born on November 17, 1959. Chris has degree’s in business, psychology and law. He also hold membership in the Canadian Film and Television Association ACTRA. During law school, a deans honor list student, he won the social justice prize for a highest standing in Crime, Law and Society.
With a strong belief in social justice, during his legal career Chris has practiced predominantly in poverty law. Chris continues to regularly perform work to people with mental health disabilities on a pro bono basis. He was nominated in the past for a prestigious pro bono award and was supported by retired Queens Counsel Alfred Petrone. Chris continues to advocate in Human Rights area’s.
Chris has worked on several cases of national importance. These include the Shaun Davis, Greyhound Bus case and subsequent inquest covered by CBC television and radio. After this case, a movie was made about Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System called “Crisis Call”. Chris has represented many victims of crime as well, such as the Town of Marathon Sexual abuse case aired on national TV. He often appears representing victims before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and has advocated about the process. Chris has also appeared on TV shows such as W–5 program in their segment entitled “Kenora’s Shame”.
Chris has in two terms, by Governor in Council appointment, been a Chairman of the Canada Pension Review Tribunals. In this quasi-judicial position he adjudicated on issues dealing primarily with disability pensions.
While involved with the tribunal he volunteered for pilot projects and The Charter of Rights and Freedoms issues panel. Chris has been active politically and has held an elected post within the executive of the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario). He has also served on the riding executives of Cabinet level members of the Canadian and Provincial legislatures.
Chris has been active in volunteerism for most of his adult life. He was on three occasions recognized as a “Citizen of Outstanding Achievement” by the City of Thunder Bay. He has received Province of Ontario, five and ten year volunteer awards. He received a Federal Government award for volunteering during the “year of the volunteer” in 2001. He is a Past President of the Thunder Bay Hill City Kinsmen Club, a member club of Kin Canada. Through a variety of service projects organized by clubs, Kin Canada has collectively helped thousands, possibly millions, of people in need. More then $1 billion has been contributed to Canadian communities, including $36 million for cystic fibrosis research.
On the tenth anniversary of his near fatal 1988 automobile accident which has left him with chronic pain and arthritis issues, he created “Chris’s Climbs for Kids” . Since 1998 he has mountain climbed around the world and raised donations, all of which, were donated to children charities. He would also bring gifts to orphanages or children’s hospitals in the Third World area’s. Some of the mountain’s he has climbed on include the Rockies, Rainier, Kilimanjaro, Kosciuszko, Elbrus, Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks.
On Mount Everest, Chris was part of was the “Team Everest 03”. This was a trek and climb on behalf of the disability community led by the decorated one armed Everest climber Gary Guller. The expedition has been made into an award winning movie, Team Everest “ A Himalayan Journey”. “Team Everest 03” itself, won the Barbra Jordan media award and was recognized by President of the United States Council on Fitness.
Chris is presently involved with famed Canadian lawyer, human rights advocate and author, David Shannon on a disability trek to the north pole on the 100th anniversary of the first polar ascent. Both David and Chris suffer, as well, from the lung illness of sleep apnea and use CPAP machines. The team will raise awareness on issues of disability and environmental concerns.