His contributions to the field of law, particularly in Canadian and International Environmental Law, Water Law, Sustainable Development Law, and Canadian Legal History, have left an indelible mark on legal academia and policymaking.
Professor Benidickson embarked on his journey at the University of Ottawa as a Visiting Professor in 1989 before transitioning to a full-time faculty position a couple of years later. His commitment to teaching and scholarship has earned him the respect and admiration of his students and colleagues alike. Known for his engaging lectures and approachable nature, but appreciated most for his ‘professorly humour’, Professor Benidickson has inspired countless law students throughout his career.
Noting that he was the sole Environmental Law professor at the Faculty for a long time, Professor Heather McLeod-Kilmurray said this area of specialty was “built around him”. Reflecting upon the years she has worked with Professor Benidickson, Professor McLeod-Kilmurray says “He is the kindest, wisest, wittiest person. He always sees the issue or question or challenge from a different angle than anyone else, and quietly and calmly suggests solutions no one else saw or could have thought of.
“He is an outstanding teacher: original, supportive, challenging students to think in new ways, and always at the forefront of new pedagogical approaches. He is an institution builder, a network builder. He was a very dedicated and energetic administrator too and was always ready to take on any project or issue with energy, originality and kindness. He is deeply respected and very warmly regarded by all of his students (JDs and graduate students) and colleagues across Canada and the world. In the world of environmental law and legal history, as well as a colleague and friend, he is a rare species and will be greatly missed.”
Another colleague, Professor Lynda Collins said "Jamie Benidickson is a giant in the field of environmental law, and more importantly he is a wonderful human being. Everyone who had the privilege to work with him in any capacity has been enriched by the experience. We will miss him every day."
Beyond teaching, Professor Benidickson has been actively engaged with public policy processes through his involvement with various royal commissions and inquiries. Notably, he contributed his expertise to the Royal Commission on Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada and the Walkerton Inquiry, a commission set up to examine the contamination of the water supply in Walkerton, Ont. that caused hundreds of people to be ill and several deaths.
Professor Benidickson has also held several administrative positions with professional and academic organizations. Most recently, he served as the Co-Director of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Academy of Environmental Law alongside Professor Yves Le Bouthillier, a role that allowed him to build facilitate environmental law education capacity and promote the development of environmental law.
Throughout his career, Professor Benidickson undertook research projects that tackled issues related to governance regimes for watersheds, biodiversity, and sustainable development in Canada. His work has contributed to a better understanding of how legal frameworks can promote environmental conservation and resource management in a changing world.
His research interests extended beyond the realm of law. His passion for canoeing and wilderness travel led him to explore these subjects from a legal and cultural perspective and resulted in a number of publications including "Idleness, Water and A Canoe".
As Professor Jamie Benidickson shuts down his office at the University of Ottawa, his legacy as an esteemed educator remains imprinted on the institution. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service to legal education. Although he has agreed to teach International Environmental Law as a Visitor in Winter 2024, we wish him years of wonderful new adventures in his retirement.