The Honourable Michael Kirby, chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 2 p.m. ceremony on Friday, June 11, “in recognition of his role in bringing about positive change to the mental health system and the quality of life of Canadians suffering from mental illness or addictions ”
The retired senator has played a number of important roles throughout his long and distinguished political career but is probably best known for his tireless work in the area of mental health care. He was appointed to the Senate by Pierre Trudeau in 1984 From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Kirby chaired the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce From 1999 to 2006, he chaired the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
While he was chair of the Senate Social Affairs Committee, Canada’s health care system was the major focus of its work Its two-year study of the hospital and doctor system culminated in the report, Recommendations for Reform Many of these recommendations are currently being enacted by governments.
In March 2007, he was appointed chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and in 2008 was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Mr Kirby is a corporate director of several public companies.