Dick, Ruth, and Judy Bell Lecture

The Dick, Ruth, and Judy Bell Lecture is an annual lecture that honours the contributions of individuals to the political and public life of Canada.  Speakers may include individuals who have been active in politics or public service or distinguished scholars in political science.  The lectures themselves are generally devoted to discussions of political subjects, either in a present-day or historical context.  Scholars and graduate students are encouraged to attend and use the lectures as a basis for further work in Canadian studies.

The Bell Lecture is hosted by the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs.

The event takes place in the Winter term.

Elizabeth May at the 2023 Bell Lecture on May 8.The 2023 Bell Lecture presented by Elizabeth May, MP, was held Monday, May 8 at the Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre. 

Stay tuned for the event video.

The time for action is now: a time capsule from 1999

Elizabeth May served as Leader of the Green Party of Canada from 2006 to 2019. She is the Green Party of Canada’s first elected Member of Parliament representing Saanich-Gulf Islands in 2011. She continues as the Member of Parliament and serves as the Parliamentary Leader of the Green caucus.

Previous Speakers

2023

Elizabeth May: The time for action is now: a time capsule from 1999

2023

2020

Rachel Notley: Climate Change and Pipelines

2020

2019

Senator Kim Pate: What Should Canadians Know – and What Can They Do – About Criminal and Justice Reforms During This Election Year?

2019

2018

Jean Charest: Change, Trends and Canada

2018

2017

Rosemary Barton: Why Journalism Matters (now more than ever before)

2017

2016

Kevin Lynch: Can Canada Become an Innovation Nation – and Why Does it Matter?

2016

2015

Jim Stanford:  Economic Literacy – Getting Past ‘Supply and Demand’

2015

2014

Darrell Bricker: The Big Shift – The Battle between Old Canada and New Canada

2014

2012

Richard J. Gwyn: John A. Macdonald – A Necessary Man for an Unnecessary Country

2012

2011

Steve Paikin: The Personal Price of a Political Life

2011

2010

Chantal Hébert: The Shifting Canadian Political Landscape

2010

2009

The Honourable Michael H. Wilson: Reflections on Momentous Times in Washington

2009

2008

Margaret MacMillan: Using History in International Relations

2008

2007

Roy MacGregor: As Canadian as possible … under the circumstances

2007

2006

Edward Greenspon: Terror and the press – the same old story

2006

2005

General R.J. Hillier: Canada’s Military in a Dangerous New World

2005

2004

Pamela Wallin: Canada-U.S. Relations – The View From New York

2004

2003

National Chief Phil Fontaine: First Nations Policy –  The Road Ahead

2003

2002

The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, P.C.: Canadian Foreign Policy – Choices and Consequences

2002

2001

The Honourable Roy Romanow: Canadian Health Care – Some Critical Challenges

2001

2000

The Right Honourable Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, P.C.: Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Charter

2000

1999

The Right Honourable Kim Campbell, P.C.: The Person’s Case to the Charter – Women’s Rights in Twentieth-Century Canada

1999

1998

Hugh Segal: Nation and Enterprise – Tory Nationalism in Canadian History

1998

1997

The Honourable Flora MacDonald, P.C.: Unsung Peacekeepers

1997

1996

Dalton Camp: Cockroaches and Conservatives

1996

1995

The Right Honourable Joe Clark, P.C.: Canad – The Challenges of the Next Three Months

1995

1994

Mary May Simon: Canadian Arctic and Global Circumpolar Issues

1994

1993

The Honourable Joe Ghiz: An Insider’s Perspective of Meech Lake and Charlottetown

1993

1992

The Right Honourable Robert Stanfield, P.C: The Way Ahead – Let’s Face It

1992