Department of Justice

MINISTER OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW LAW COMMISSION

OTTAWA, April 23, 1997 -- The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Allan Rock, today announced the following appointments to the newly created Law Commission of Canada.

Roderick A. Macdonald of Montreal, Quebec, is appointed President of the Law Commission of Canada.

Mr. Macdonald obtained a Bachelor of Common Law degree from York University in 1972, a Licence in Civil Law from the University of Ottawa in 1974, and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Toronto in 1975. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and of the Quebec Bar.

Mr. Macdonald is currently a professor of law at McGill University, where he was Dean of Law from 1984 to 1989. Mr. Macdonald is bilingual.

The following individuals are appointed as commissioners:

Gwen Boniface of London, Ontario.

Ms. Boniface obtained a Law Enforcement Diploma from Humber College in 1976, a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University in 1982 and a Law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1988. She was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1990.

Ms. Boniface is Chief Superintendent Regional Commander (O.P.P.) for Western Ontario. From 1993 to 1995, she was Superintendent-Director, First Nations and Contract Policing Branch.

Alan G. Buchanan of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Mr. Buchanan obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1981 and a Master of Arts degree from Queen's University in 1983. Mr. Buchanan was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in 1989 and again in 1993. He was Minister of Provincial Affairs and Attorney General from 1994 to 1996.

Mr. Buchanan is General Manager, Corporate Development of Island Telephone Company Ltd. of P.E.I.

Nathalie Des Rosiers of London, Ontario.

Ms. Des Rosiers graduated in law from the Université de Montréal in 1981 and earned a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University in 1984. She is a member of the Quebec Bar and of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Ms. Des Rosiers is currently a professor of law at the University of Western Ontario. She is an active member of the Association des juristes d'expression française.

Stephen Owen, Q.C., of Victoria, British Columbia.

Mr. Owen graduated in law from the University of British Columbia in 1972. He earned a Master of Laws degree at the University of London, England, in 1974 and a Master of Business Administration degree at the International Management Institute, University of Geneva in 1986.

Mr. Owen is currently a professor at the University of Victoria in the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Human and Social Development. Mr. Owen was Deputy Attorney General of British Columbia in 1995. He has also served as Ombudsman and Sole Commissioner for the Commission on Resources and the Environment.

All appointments are effective as of July 1, 1997, and are for a three year term.

The Commission was created to provide the government with multidisciplinary, independent advice from all sectors of Canadian society on Canada's law and the legal system. Its efforts will focus on improvements, modernization, increased efficiency of the legal system and reforms to address the changing needs of Canadian society.

The Commission will be supported by a small secretariat as well as an Advisory Council composed of 25 volunteer members from all parts of society.

"Canadians are facing complex legal issues that require more than a legal solution," Mr. Rock said. "These appointments signal a new approach to law reform that includes not only legal expertise but social, economic and other disciplines as well."

The legislation permitting the creation of the Law Commission of Canada came into force, by Order-in-Council, on April 21, 1997.

The creation of the Commission fulfils a government commitment made in the 1993 Red Book.

Ref.: Jennifer Lang
        Minister's Office
        (613) 992-4621