Page 8 - Lakehead University - 50th Convocation 2014
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THE HONOURABLE FRANK IACOBUCCI
Doctor of Laws
The Honourable Frank Iacobucci has made outstanding contributions to Canada’s civic life and
discourse as a lawyer, academic, judge, policy advisor, and negotiator.
Frank grew up in Vancouver and earned bachelors of commerce and law degrees from the University of
British Columbia before studying at Cambridge University where he received a master’s of law in 1964
and a diploma in international law in 1966. He practised corporate law before moving to academia.
Between 1967 and 1985, Frank was afiliated with the University of Toronto as a law professor, law
dean, and university vice-president. Frank then served as the federal deputy minister of justice and
SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, 2014
deputy attorney general.
2pm Ceremony
Frank was appointed chief justice of the Federal Court of Canada in 1988 and a Supreme Court of
Canada justice in 1991. He returned to private practice with the irm Torys LLP in 2004.
The protection of human rights has been a hallmark of Frank Iacobucci’s career. He was the
commissioner of an internal federal inquiry into the alleged torture of three Arab-Canadians in the
Middle East and he represented the federal government in the negotiation of the 2005 Indian
Residential Schools settlement.
In 2013, he released his landmark report investigating the under-representation of First Nations people
on Ontario juries. The report, commissioned by the provincial government, made recommendations to
address systemic discrimination against Aboriginal Canadians.
Frank is now the Ontario government’s lead “Ring of Fire” negotiator. This region in Northwestern Ontario
contains vast mineral deposits and Frank is working with the Matawa First Nations who live there to foster
sustainable mineral exploration and mining.
When he was announced as lead negotiator Frank said, “I feel passionately about involving First Nations
in decisions about development in their communities and traditional lands and ensuring they beneit from
the economic opportunities to be realized from development in the Ring of Fire.”
Frank Iacobucci has received numerous awards and distinctions. In 2007, he was appointed a Companion of
the Order of Canada and this year he was named an Honorary Witness by the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada for his advancement of Aboriginal issues.
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