Media Advisory - Chief Justice among four exceptional individuals to be honoured at Toronto Call to Bar ceremonies this month
TORONTO, June 21, 2017 /CNW/ - Four prominent Canadians will receive honorary Doctor of Laws degrees (LLD) from the Law Society of Upper Canada at Call to the Bar ceremonies in Toronto on June 26 and 27:
- The Chief Justice of Ontario;
- A trailblazing judge who shattered systemic barriers and stereotypes;
- Former Canadian president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) and author of The Right to be Cold; and
- An internationally recognized scholar in the field of Indigenous Legal Traditions and Aboriginal Rights.
The Law Society confers LLDs, honoris causa, in recognition of outstanding achievements in service and benefit to the legal profession, the rule of law or the cause of justice. Each honorary LLD recipient serves as an inspirational keynote speaker for the new lawyers attending the Call ceremonies.
The presentations will take place at four Toronto Call to the Bar ceremonies at Roy Thomson Hall on June 26 and 27.
The four LLD recipients at the Toronto ceremonies are as follows:
The Honourable Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré, OQ – June 26, 9:30 a.m.
The Honourable Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré, OQ entered the legal profession at a time when it was considered an unconventional career path for women, and even more so for a woman of colour. She was the first Black Dean of a Canadian law school and the first Black judge appointed to the Court of Québec.
A true legal pioneer, she has advanced social justice and equality rights not only through her work as a lawyer, professor, and judge, but also through her personal journey, shattering systemic barriers and stereotypes. Full bio.
Sheila Watt-Cloutier, OC – June 26, 2:30 p.m.
Former Canadian President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) from 1995 – 2002, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, OC was nominated for a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy showing the cumulative devastating effects that global climate change has had on the culture, the economy, the environment, and the people of the Arctic.
She is being recognized for her outstanding transformative force in advancing human rights in the struggle to secure global health and justice — and the cultural survival of the Inuit and Arctic Indigenous peoples who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Full bio.
Dr. John Borrows – June 27, 9:30 a.m.
An internationally recognized scholar in the field of Indigenous Legal Traditions and Aboriginal Rights, Dr. Borrow's work has shaped the recommendations of both the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal peoples. His research and writing has also been cited by the Supreme Court of Canada.
As an educator and an advocate, he has focused on the racial and social barriers embedded in our legal and social framework. Full bio.
The Honourable George R. Strathy, Chief Justice of Ontario – June 27, 2:30 p.m.
An extraordinary legal professional who practised civil litigation for 30 years and established Strathy & Associates in 1993, Chief Justice Strathy's career exemplifies a dedication to the law, the profession and public service. Appointed to the Superior Court of Justice (2007) and the Court of Appeal for Ontario (2013), he was most recently appointed Chief Justice of Ontario (2014) where he has championed the importance of access to justice and efficiency in the legal system.
Chief Justice Strathy has earned the respect of the judiciary, the legal profession, justice partners, and the Ontario public. Full bio.
The Law Society will call more than 1,200 new lawyers to the Bar of Ontario at the June 26 and 27 ceremonies in Toronto.
More than 1,600 new lawyers are being called at six Call to the Bar ceremonies being held across the province in June.
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SOURCE The Law Society of Upper Canada
Members of the Media: Please confirm your attendance in advance by contacting Michael Gambacorta, 416-947-3300 ext.5220 or [email protected].
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