October 5, 2006 Source: :
http://www.uregina.ca/news/releases/2006/october/5(b).shtml MacKinnon to receive honorary
degree Release:
October 5, 2006
Contact: Sabrina Cataldo, External Relations
E-mail: Sabrina.Cataldo@uregina.ca
Phone: (306) 585.5632
Mobile: (306) 536.4312
Fax: (306) 585.4997 MacKinnon to receive honorary degree
The University of Regina is recognizing the distinguished life and
contribution of University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon with an
honorary doctorate of laws degree. "Peter MacKinnon stands pre-eminent among Canada’s university leaders," said
University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Robert Hawkins. "He has
made an outstanding contribution as a legal scholar and dean. He has built
the University of Saskatchewan to be truly ‘Canada’s Light Source,’ and he
has championed the role of Canada’s universities in preparing us for the
knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. The University of Regina is
proud to recognize him as an outstanding educator." MacKinnon is greatly appreciative of the acknowledgement, given the longtime
connection between the two universities. "As you can imagine, I am deeply
honoured to be receiving this degree," said MacKinnon. "What makes the
occasion particularly special is that this recognition comes from our
colleagues in Regina with whom we share so much." MacKinnon has served as president of the University of Saskatchewan since
1999 and previously as the school’s dean of law and acting vice-president
(academic). He received his education at the University of Saskatchewan,
Queen's University and Dalhousie University and articled in Kingston before
being admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1975 and to the Law Society of
Saskatchewan in 1979. In 1990, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel and was a
bencher of the Law Society of Saskatchewan for ten years, serving twice on
its executive committee. Since then, he has had a distinguished career
including teaching criminal law and evidence, publishing 25 articles and
commentaries in law journals nationally and internationally and co-editing
three books including After Meech Lake (1991); Drawing Boundaries:
Legislatures, Courts and Electoral Values (1992); and Citizenship, Diversity
and Pluralism (1999). He has also recently completed a term as chair for the
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and served as president
of the Canadian Association of Law Teachers in 1981-82, and president of the
Council of Canadian Law Deans in 1994-95. MacKinnon is a member of the board
of directors of the Meewasin Valley Authority, the Saskatoon Regional
Economic Development Authority, the Saskatoon Airport Authority and the
Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation. In 2005, he received the Award for
Distinguished Service from the Canadian Bar Association (Saskatchewan
Branch). The University of Regina has bestowed 161 honorary degrees. Former
recipients include former Saskatchewan premiers Tommy Douglas (1978), Allan
Blakeney (1993) and Roy Romanow (2005); Saskatchewan artist Joe Fafard
(1989); hockey great Gordie Howe (1997); Saskatchewan philanthropist and
patron of the arts Jacqui Shumiatcher (2002); intellectual Michael Ignatieff
(2003); and The Princess Royal, Princess Anne (2004). -30-
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