Louise Arbour

An internationally recognized lawyer and judge, the Honourable Louise Arbour sat on the Supreme Court of Canada from 1999 to 2004, and on the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Ontario. She also held high-level positions at the United Nations, including that of High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Currently a jurist in residence at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, she provides strategic advice on issues pertaining to international disputes. She also sits on the Global Commission on Drug Policy, the International Commission against the Death Penalty and the Advisory Board of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court. She chaired an inquiry commission that investigated certain events at the Prison for Women in Kingston, Ontario, and she has also served as a member of the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security.

Ms. Arbour is the recipient of numerous honorary doctorates and awards. She has been a Companion of the Order of Canada since 2007, a Grand Officer of the Ordre national du Québec since 2009 and a Commander of the Légion d’honneur (France). She has also been decorated by Spain, Colombia and Belgium.