A Legacy of Service: Celebrating Giuseppe (Joe) Ferraro, King Charles III Coronation Medal Honouree
Championing Justice, Public Welfare, and the Next Generation of Legal Leadership
With more than two decades of service to the people of Ontario, Giuseppe (Joe) Ferraro has become a defining force in the evolution of public welfare and regulatory law in the province. As a Senior Crown Counsel with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Joe’s career is marked not only by his deep legal expertise but also by a tireless commitment to justice, innovation, and mentorship.
Since joining the Ontario Public Service in 2001, Joe has brought his multidisciplinary skillset to a wide range of ministries, including the Solicitor General, Children and Youth Services, Finance, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of the Attorney General. His work has crossed traditional boundaries, allowing him to shape meaningful change in both policy and practice.
Protecting Ontarians in Times of Crisis
Joe’s impact is perhaps most vividly seen in moments of public health emergencies. In the wake of the SARS outbreak, he played a pivotal role in the province’s legislative response, serving as consulting counsel on the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion Act, 2007. His efforts ensured that occupational health and safety became embedded in Ontario’s public health infrastructure. He co-authored a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Labour and Health, replacing a decades-old agreement criticized by the SARS Commission, and improving cooperation during public health emergencies. These contributions, along with his work in creating one of North America’s first needle safety regulations and Ontario’s first pandemic health plan, earned him an Amethyst Award for Outstanding Achievement—one of the highest honors for Ontario public servants.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe once again stepped up to help guide the province through uncertain times, advising on the enforcement of infection control measures and leading prosecutions under both the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Re-opening Ontario Act. His leadership extended beyond public health. In the fight against human trafficking, Joe was instrumental in the development of the Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, 2017—Ontario’s first legislation of its kind. His insights into legal process, court jurisdiction, and the development of a new tort for survivors significantly shaped the final legislation and its supporting regulations.
Shaping Groundbreaking Legislation
In courtrooms, Joe has helped shape regulatory law at the highest levels. In Ontario v. Miller Group, he successfully argued for the integrity of regulatory investigations, with the Ontario Court of Appeal affirming the independence of investigators from external pressures—a decision upheld against appeal to the Supreme Court. In R. v. Greater Sudbury (City), Joe’s arguments contributed to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a broad definition of “employer” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, preserving protections for millions of Ontario workers.
But Joe’s legacy is not measured only in laws or legal victories—it is also in people. He has mentored students, paralegals, and counsel throughout his career, formalizing recruitment programs that prioritize transparency and diversity. He created the first legal knowledge management system within Ontario’s public service, ensuring that critical legal knowledge is preserved and shared across teams. For this, he received an Excelsior Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Attorney General. He has continued to educate and inspire through contributions to professional development programs for legal practitioners across Ontario.
Service Grounded in Integrity—and Humanity
Outside the office, Joe is a devoted father and husband who finds joy in cooking, reading science fiction and fantasy, practicing martial arts, and occasionally diving into a roleplaying game. Whether chairing a school council meeting or supervising school activities, he brings the same spirit of engagement and dedication that defines his professional life.
Through decades of service, Joe Ferraro has not only shaped policy and legal precedent but also shaped a culture of excellence, compassion, and mentorship in Ontario’s public service. His work continues to echo through legislation, courtrooms, and the next generation of legal professionals—leaving a lasting legacy built on justice, integrity, and heart.
Since joining the Ontario Public Service in 2001, Joe has brought his multidisciplinary skillset to a wide range of ministries, including the Solicitor General, Children and Youth Services, Finance, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of the Attorney General. His work has crossed traditional boundaries, allowing him to shape meaningful change in both policy and practice.
Protecting Ontarians in Times of Crisis
Joe’s impact is perhaps most vividly seen in moments of public health emergencies. In the wake of the SARS outbreak, he played a pivotal role in the province’s legislative response, serving as consulting counsel on the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion Act, 2007. His efforts ensured that occupational health and safety became embedded in Ontario’s public health infrastructure. He co-authored a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Labour and Health, replacing a decades-old agreement criticized by the SARS Commission, and improving cooperation during public health emergencies. These contributions, along with his work in creating one of North America’s first needle safety regulations and Ontario’s first pandemic health plan, earned him an Amethyst Award for Outstanding Achievement—one of the highest honors for Ontario public servants.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe once again stepped up to help guide the province through uncertain times, advising on the enforcement of infection control measures and leading prosecutions under both the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Re-opening Ontario Act. His leadership extended beyond public health. In the fight against human trafficking, Joe was instrumental in the development of the Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, 2017—Ontario’s first legislation of its kind. His insights into legal process, court jurisdiction, and the development of a new tort for survivors significantly shaped the final legislation and its supporting regulations.
Shaping Groundbreaking Legislation
In courtrooms, Joe has helped shape regulatory law at the highest levels. In Ontario v. Miller Group, he successfully argued for the integrity of regulatory investigations, with the Ontario Court of Appeal affirming the independence of investigators from external pressures—a decision upheld against appeal to the Supreme Court. In R. v. Greater Sudbury (City), Joe’s arguments contributed to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a broad definition of “employer” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, preserving protections for millions of Ontario workers.
But Joe’s legacy is not measured only in laws or legal victories—it is also in people. He has mentored students, paralegals, and counsel throughout his career, formalizing recruitment programs that prioritize transparency and diversity. He created the first legal knowledge management system within Ontario’s public service, ensuring that critical legal knowledge is preserved and shared across teams. For this, he received an Excelsior Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Attorney General. He has continued to educate and inspire through contributions to professional development programs for legal practitioners across Ontario.
Service Grounded in Integrity—and Humanity
Outside the office, Joe is a devoted father and husband who finds joy in cooking, reading science fiction and fantasy, practicing martial arts, and occasionally diving into a roleplaying game. Whether chairing a school council meeting or supervising school activities, he brings the same spirit of engagement and dedication that defines his professional life.
Through decades of service, Joe Ferraro has not only shaped policy and legal precedent but also shaped a culture of excellence, compassion, and mentorship in Ontario’s public service. His work continues to echo through legislation, courtrooms, and the next generation of legal professionals—leaving a lasting legacy built on justice, integrity, and heart.