Honorary degree citation - Lionel Chevrier*
By: Steven Appelbaum, June 1984
Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you The Honourable Lionel Chevrier, distinguished attorney, jurist, federal cabinet executive and gentleman who has contributed to the growth of Canada and relations between our country and the United States.
Dr. Chevrier graduated from Osgoode Hall and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1928 and the Quebec Bar in 1957. He was first elected to the House of Commons at the general elections of 1935 for the constituency of Stormont, Ontario. He was re-elected in 1940, 1945, and 1953. He was Deputy Chief Government Whip, 1940; Chairman, Special Parliament Sub-Committee on War Expenditures, 1942; Delegate, Parliamentary Association, Washington, 1943; Chairman, Canadian Delegation to U.N. General Assembly, Paris, 1948; Minister of Transport, 1945 54; President, Saint-Lawrence Seaway Authority, 1954-57. Dr. Chevrier was elected to the House of Commons for the constituency of Montreal-Laurier in 1957 and re elected in 1958, 1962 and 1963. He was opposition House Leader, 1957-63; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, 1963-64; Acting Prime Minister, 1963-64; High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, 1964-67; Freeman of the City of London, 1964; Chairman, Commonwealth Sanctions Committee on Rhodesia, London, 1966-67; Ambadassor and Commissioner General for visits of State, 1967; Head of Special Canadian Mission to French speaking Africa, 1968; Head of Special Mission to Canadian Consular posts in the United States, 1968; Chairman of a symposium for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on the financial and legal aspects of the improvements and maintenance of waterways for international navigations, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1970. He is the author of The Saint Lawrence Seaway. He is a member of the International Commission of Jurists and a Director of the Rehabilitation Institute of Montreal, as well as Honorary Director of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame.
Mr. Chancellor, the Honourable Lionel Chevrier has indeed served this Country at the highest levels, unselfishly and always with insight and foresight for the betterment of mankind via cooperation and not conflict.
Mr. Chancellor, it is a distinct honour and privilege for me, on behalf of the Senate and by the authority of the Board of Governors to present to you Lionel Chevrier, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
* deceased
