A History of the Kenora District Law Association was written by Maria Berezowski, the long-time librarian there.
Prior to 1898, judicial matters in both the Kenora and Rainy River Districts were handled by the District of Thunder Bay. In 1898, the Rainy River District, including the District of Kenora, was separated from Thunder Bay. It wasn’t until 1909 that the District of Kenora became its own judicial district.
Until 1884, Kenora lay within the boundaries of the province of Manitoba. At that time, both provinces maintained law enforcement and courts in Kenora (known then, and until 1905, as Rat Portage). In 1884 the boundary was moved to its current location, about 56 km west of Kenora.
The first courthouse was built in 1882/83, about two blocks east of the current location. It was replaced in 1910/11 by the current building, sitting on the shore of Lake of the Woods. In 1969 a two-story addition was added on the lake side of the building. The 2nd floor of this addition includes the main court offices, SCJ judges’ chambers and the law library – all with beautiful views of the lake. A number of other offices (some with views) are housed on the lower floor.
The first entry in the Kenora Law association’s minute book is dated 1914.
At a 1920 meeting of the Kenora Law Association, it was decided to petition LSUC for a loan of $350 to secure a library. The final repayment of this loan was recorded in 1931. The library was on the upper floor on the street side of the building, in a room which is now the Lawyers’ Lounge. There are still shelves in this room, and a rickety rolling library ladder. We house older copies of law reporters here and there are rumours of something more stashed behind the shelves, but that is just a rumour.
A 1935 entry in the cash book indicates KLA received a grant of $180.17 from the Law Society, and a grant of $48.17 from the Ontario government. Member paid $10 dues annually at that time.
Incorporated in 1991 as the District of Kenora Law Association, KDLA serves a membership of about 80 lawyers, only about 40 of whom have their main practice in Kenora. Other members from our district reside in Dryden, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout. We also count as members a number of lawyers from both Winnipeg and Thunder Bay who regularly appear in Kenora courts.