What happens along the way to living on Pender Island? For Paul Williamson, a former Provincial Supreme Court judge, quite a lot.
Williamson’s wonderfully winding career may be highlighted by his time as a Supreme Court Judge of British Columbia. But the story that got him there, and eventually brought him here, is as eclectic and engaging as you could hope to hear.
From coastal logging camps and European youth hostels, to newsrooms, courtrooms and Quebec City classrooms, he has always carved his own path.
“I have been very lucky, and I have worked very hard,” Williamson said during a recent conversation. “I say to young people … work at it and create a life that you enjoy doing, that gives you some reward, that you feel good about.”
When I moved here, 15 years ago, I kept hearing things like, “The most amazing people live on this island. You wouldn’t believe their story!”
As the years went on, and I became more involved in our community, I too began meeting some fascinating folks on this little rock, realizing that everyone has a life story worth sharing. We all have had such interesting experiences. Opening myself up to listening and being compassionately curious about others. This has offered me an incredible world of stories to discover.
I decided to capture some of these stories to share with others, and created a podcast called The Stories That Brought You Here. The aim, to help foster healthy curiosity, create connection and celebrate some of those wonderful people who live among us.
The conversation Williamson and I have on the most recent episode could not highlight any better the unique stories that come together over a life well lived.
At the age of 19, Paul began working in a logging camp on Nootka Island. But it was a trip he took to Europe that would drastically change the course of his life. Staying in hostels and engaging with youth – mostly students – from around the world helped him realize he could chart any course he desired.
When he returned to Canada, he went to university and became a reporter in Victoria, covering the police and provincial courts. He then spent time teaching in Quebec, before a desire to be his own boss led him to the idea of becoming a lawyer.
For over a decade, he worked out of his own boutique law firm. Eventually, he would be asked to become a Supreme Court Judge of British Columbia and was part of some meaningful cases, including The Nisga’a Treaty.
During our interview, Paul delves into lessons he learned about Canada’s justice system, about spending time away from his home province, and about the decisions that fueled his fulfilling life.
You can listen to more of Paul’s story on The Stories That Brought You Here: https://tinyurl.com/episode-69
Chris Wakaluk