Honorary degree citation - John James Deutsch*

By: J.W. O'Brien, May 1966

Mr. Chancellor:

I have the honour to present to you John James Deutsch, distinguished civil servant, educator, economist and Chairman of the Economic Council of Canada.

Native of Saskatchewan, and graduate of Queen's University, Dr. Deutsch's long and outstanding career at the Bank of Canada and in the public service of Canada spans two decades from 1936 to 1956. He has served as an Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for External Affairs and as Director of the International Economics Relations Division of the Department of Finance. In 1953 he became Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance and in 1954, Secretary of the Treasury Board.

In 1956 he left government service to become Professor and Head of the Department of Economics and Political Science at the University of British Columbia. Three years later he was appointed Vice Principal and Professor of Economics at Queen's University. We recognize his multiple contributions to academic life, to university administration, to Canadian economics, and to government finance. Despite the responsibilities of the important positions he has occupied, he has also served in broader fields, with the Royal Commission on Newfoundland Finances in 1957, the Special Senate Committee on Manpower and Employment in 1960-61, the Royal Commission on Higher Education in New Brunswick in 196-62, and the Committee of Inquiry into the Unemployment Insurance Act in 1961-62.

In particular this evening we honour him as the first Chairman of the Economic Council of Canada, the position he has occupied since its establishment in 1963. As educators we salute the emphasis the Council has placed on the importance of education in the preparation for tomorrow. As citizens we salute the difficult task of analysis and exhortation the Council has undertaken under his leadership.

Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of the University Council and by authority of the Board of Governors, I present to you John James Deutsch that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

* deceased