Honorary degree citation - Andrée Lajoie
By: Arpi Hamalian, June 2009
Mr. Chancellor, it is my honour to present to you Mme Andrée Lajoie: esteemed academic, distinguished professor and accomplished lawyer.
Over the last 40 years, Andrée Lajoie’s research into the theory of law and constitutional law has influenced social policy and governance in Quebec, Canada, and around the world.
Mme Lajoie is a living example of dedication to public life and commitment to the rule of law. From writing to speaking to teaching, she has made tremendous contributions to society on many levels.
« Je veux comprendre les facteurs qui entrent en jeu dans l’élaboration des lois », dit-elle pour expliquer sa conception du travail. Elle s’intéresse en effet à diverses questions, notamment l’étude et la réforme des droits des peuples autochtones, la santé publique, les droits des femmes et des minorités, les relations intergouvernementales et le déséquilibre fiscal.
After completing her law degree at the Université de Montréal, Mme Lajoie went on to study political science at the University of Oxford, all the while working as a correspondent for Radio Canada in London.
In 1962, she joined the team of the Centre de recherche en droit publique at Université de Montréal, and was director of the centre from 1976 until 1980. She taught in the Faculty of Law until her retirement in 2006. Truly committed to her work, she still contributes to several research projects.
As a member of the Barreau du Québec, l’Association droit et société, l’Association française d’antropologie du droit and the Royal Society of Canada, Lajoie remains devoted to the advancement of knowledge in her areas of expertise.
Mme Lajoie a toujours adoré la littérature, à un point tel qu’elle a déjà songé à l’étudier. Même si elle a plutôt choisi le droit, elle est l’auteure d’un nombre d’œuvres impressionnant. Elle a publié 17 livres et plus d’une centaine d’articles ou de chapitres qui sont devenus aujourd’hui des références dans leur domaine au Canada et à l’étranger.
Since 1964, she has received uninterrupted research funding for team grants to prepare new researchers. Her work has beenfunded by the commission for the reform of Law, the Federal ministries of Justice and Health, and the Quebec ministries of affaires sociales, richesse naturelles, éducation, affaires indiennes, and relations sociales.
The 2006 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Gold Medal for Achievement in Research is only the latest in a long series of prestigious awards that her work has merited. In the past, she has been recognized for her “exceptional contribution to legal research and to the reform of law,” by the Canadian Association of Professors of Law and the Commission for the Reform of Law of Canada. The Association francophone pour le savoir, known as ACFAS, awarded her the André-Laurendeau Prize for humanities. More recently, the Quebec government bestowed upon her its highest honour, the Prix Léon-Gérin, Catégorie Scientifique in 2003.
En plus de ses travaux de recherche avant-gardistes en droit, Andrée Lajoie rend également d’exceptionnels services à la collectivité. La gouvernance de l’Université de Montréal a bénéficié de sa participation à nombre de comités à différents paliers. Elle a été membre du Comité de la liberté universitaire de la Fédération québécoise des professeures et professeurs d’université. Grâce à la bourse accompagnant sa Médaille d’or du CRSH, Mme Lajoie a étudié l’effet des subventions accordées à la recherche sur les résultats de recherche. Elle a publié ses découvertes dans un livre intitulé Vive la recherche libre!, qui a été lancé en février dernier au Conseil fédéral de la Fédération.
Mme Lajoie is not afraid to voice her opinions on a range of issues. As such, she has been invited to participate in numerous enquiry commissions into health, aboriginal issues, social services and the humanities.
Thomas Edison once said that if we did everything that we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. Andrée Lajoie has demonstrated that with determination and dedication, we can accomplish astounding work, improve the lives of others, and transform society for the better.
Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of Senate and the Board of Governors, it is my privilege and honour to present to you Andrée Lajoie so that you may confer upon her the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
