2002 Winner Sen. Gérald-A. Beaudoin, O.C., Q.C.

At the time of his award in 2002, Senator Gérald-A. Beaudoin was a former President of the Canadian Section of the ICJ, a longtime member of Council, and a regular participant on the Executive Committee.

The Award was presented to Senator Beaudoin by the Hon. Mr. Justice Ian Binnie of the Supreme Court of Canada, following the panel discussion that was a joint effort of ICJ Canada and the Canadian Judges’ Forum. The presentation of the award prompted a standing ovation by the audience.

Senator Beaudoin subsequently addressed the Annual Meeting, where he spoke feelingly of his close association with Walter Tarnopolsky, initially as teaching colleagues giving bilingual seminars together at the University of Ottawa Law School. When Walter Tarnopolsky was appointed founding Director of the Law School’s Human Rights Centre in 1981, Gérald Beaudoin served as Associate Director. Later, they co-edited the first edition of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: A Commentary. Senator Beaudoin went on to consider the longstanding tradition of an independent Bar and Bench in Canadian history and the importance of the Charter to the lives of Canadians.

Click here to read the 2002 Tarnopolsky address delivered by Sen Beaudoin.