Matthew Traister

Matthew joined CILF in September 2025 and works out of its Ottawa office.

Between 2023-2025, Matthew clerked for two different Justices at Canada’s Federal Court, assisting primarily in administrative, immigration, and refugee law.

Matthew has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from McGill University and a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School. While at law school, he completed the intensive program in immigration and refugee law, where he assisted in a constitutional case before Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal. Upon graduating, the Royal Society of Canada awarded Matthew the Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize, which is given to one graduating student from each Canadian law school who is most likely to positively influence equity and social justice in Canada or globally.

Education, Affiliations & Contributions

Osgoode Hall Law School, J.D., 2023
McGill University, BA Philosophy, 2019
Called to the Bar of Ontario, 2024
Member, Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association
Member, Carleton County Lawyers Association