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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2002

LONDON - Retired chief Justice of Canada, the Right Honourable Antonio Lamer, P.C., C.C., has been awarded the 2002 Canadian Bar Association President's Award.

"Mr. Justice Lamer made a lasting contribution by his advocacy for individual rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms," said CBA President Eric Rice, Q.C., of Vancouver. "He was a great Chief Justice, not only for the quality of his decisions, or his management of the court, but also for his humanity."

A native of Montréal, Mr. Justice Lamer was called to the Bar in 1957. He received his B.A. and LL.L from the University of Montréal. He holds honorary degrees from the University of Moncton, the University of Ottawa, the University of Montréal, the University of Toronto, the University of New Brunswick, Saint Paul University, Dalhousie University and the University of British Columbia.

He was appointed to the Superior Court in December 1969 and to the Queen's Bench (Crown Side) of the Province of Quebec also in December 1969. Became Vice-Chairman of the Law Reform Commission of Canada in December 1971. Was appointed a Member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Human Rights Foundation in June 1974. Was elected President of La Société de Criminologie du Québec, in June 1974. Was appointed Chairman of the Law Reform Commission of Canada in April 1976. Elevated to the Quebec Court of Appeal in March 1978.

A member of the Supreme Court since 1980, he became Chief Justice and Chair of the Canadian Judicial Council in 1990. Since his nomination, Mr. Justice Lamer has stayed in close contact with the CBA. Through his efforts, the CBA has forged close links with the Supreme Court of Canada.

Chief Justice Lamer retired on January 6, 2000, ending a 31-year career on the Bench. His career is distinguished by significant contributions to our Canadian constitutional law, the development of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Canada's criminal law and procedure. He also made legal history by being the youngest ever Superior Court Justice appointed in Canada. Mr. Lamer is presently working as a special advisor with the law firm Stikeman Elliott.

To be eligible for the award, a candidate must meet at least one of the following criteria: made a significant contribution to the legal profession; made a significant contribution to the Canadian Bar Association; or made a noteworthy contribution to the public life of Canada.

The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 37,000 lawyers, notaries, law teachers and law students from across Canada are members.

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CONTACT: Hannah Bernstein, Aug.9-14, CBA Media Centre, London Convention Centre, Boardroom IV, Main Floor, (519) 661-6337.