Honorary degree citation - Thomas Daly*

By: John Locke, November 1980

Mr. Chairman, I have the honour to present to you Tom Daly, distinguished filmmaker and producer.

Since starting hs career at the National Film Board of Canada in 1940, he has been a central figure in the development of that institution into the internationally respected film organization that it has now become. During his early years at the N.F.B., he served first as an editor, script writer, and director and then as a producer.

In 1950 he became Executive Producer and Chief Film Editor of the National Film Board's illustrious Unit B. During the fifteen years which followed, Unit B was the source of an extraordinary number of outstanding films which were centrally important in establishing the reputation of the National Film Board and of Canadian film.

Under his leadership, Unit B provided the atmosphere and the support which encouraged filmmakers to create works ranging from animation to documentary. These works have subsequently won hundreds of awards and have made Canadian film known around the world. Unit B has become a legend in Canadian film, and Tom Daly was the man behind Unit B.

In his roles as the producer who supported the projects and the person who gave final editing advice to a generation of Canada's best N.F.B. filmmakers, he should be given credit for making possible Canada's first wave of filmmakers. Indeed John Grierson has singled out Tom Daly as being responsible for the "wave" of Canadian filmmakers during this period through "his influence over the many films at the National Film Board".

Mr. Chancellor, it is a privilege to present to you, on behalf of the Senate and by the authority of the Board of Governors, Tom Daly, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

* deceased