The Honourable Allan Rock received the Order of Canada for his contributions to the advancement of human rights and global humanitarian issues, and to the fields of law, politics and education.
Allan Rock served as President of the University of Ottawa from July 1, 2008 until June 30, 2016.
A 1971 graduate of the University’s Faculty of Law, he practiced for over two decades as a trial lawyer with the Faskens firm in Toronto. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1988. He was elected by his peers as head of Ontario’s Law Society in 1992.
In 1993, Allan Rock was elected to the House of Commons, and was re-elected in 1997 and 2000. He spent ten years as a member of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s cabinet, holding various senior portfolios: Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1993-1997); Minister of Health (1997-2002) and Minister of Industry and Minister of Infrastructure (2002-2003).
He left Parliament in 2003 on his appointment as Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, where he was deeply involved in humanitarian, peace-building and development efforts, particularly in Africa, Haiti and Sri Lanka.
Established in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the nation’s highest civilian honours, recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.
‘Congratulations Allan on receiving our country’s highest honour! Allan’s entire career has been dedicated to service: service to the legal profession, service to our country, University service and now service to our students and our Law School. We are incredibly privileged to have Allan as a colleague.’
Dean Adam Dodek
Congratulations to Professor Allan Rock!
Visit the Faculty of Law’s website for Professor Rock’s complete biography.