OTTAWA, November 22, 2004 – Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of Sheva Medjuck as part-time Commissioner of the Law Commission of Canada.

Dr. Medjuck will join the Commission while maintaining her current position as Dean of Arts and Science at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. She brings extensive multidisciplinary academic experience, both in teaching and research, to the position.

Dr. Medjuck received a PhD in Sociology from York University in 1978. She has held increasingly senior positions during a distinguished academic career spanning more than 25 years in the fields of sociology anthropology and women's studies. She has made important research contributions with numerous scholarly publications and presentations on gender and ethnicity.

Her non-academic background includes a former role as Commissioner of Nova Scotia's Human Rights Commission (1999-2001) and several Chair and Committee positions with a variety of organizations examining ethnicity and the advancement of women.

Dr. Medjuck's appointment is effective immediately.

The Law Commission of Canada is an independent federal law reform agency that advises Parliament on how to improve and modernize Canada's laws. The Minister of Justice may also refer questions to the Commission.

For more information on the Law Commission of Canada, visit their website: www.lcc.gc.ca.

Ref.:

Denise Rudnicki
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice