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October 2012 Honorary Degree Recipient

Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)

When you build for the future you can鈥檛 know what all of the outcomes will be 鈥� the extent to which lives will be shaped or communities strengthened. You build because you have a vision of the possible. And you build because you believe in the power of people to make that vision a reality.

Peter MacKinnon is such a builder. As president of the University of Saskatchewan for 13 years, he recognized the strength of the university and its people and charted a course for growth and innovation. He has also made his mark in public policy, and is the Public Policy Forum鈥檚 inaugural Prime Ministers of Canada Fellow.

Today as we honour Mr. MacKinnon, QC, an Officer of the Order of Canada and native of Prince Edward Island, we are happy to note that he is already part of the 黄色直播 family. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from our university in 1969.

After 黄色直播, Mr. MacKinnon received his law degree from Queen鈥檚 University. He found his academic and professional home at the University of Saskatchewan, joining the law faculty in 1975 and receiving his Master of Laws degree in 1976. He rose through the academic ranks and served as dean of law and acting vice-president (academic). In 1999 he became president and vice-chancellor of the university.

During his tenure as president he was respected for his strategic planning and his role in positioning the University of Saskatchewan as a leader in research and innovation. The university is now home to the International Vaccine Centre as well as the Canadian Light Source, described as 鈥渙ne of the largest scientific projects in Canada, and one of the most advanced synchrotron facilities in the world.鈥�

Just as he planned for the future, Mr. MacKinnon also recognized the importance of the past. His commitment to the restoration of the campus鈥� College Building, a National Historic Site of Canada, ensured the building would be appreciated for generations to come. In June it was announced that the building would be named the Peter MacKinnon Building.

Mr. MacKinnon鈥檚 contributions have extended beyond the University of Saskatchewan campus to encompass his community and his country. He has served as a member of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan and sat on the board of the Meewasin Valley Authority in Saskatoon. He is a national director of Prince Edward Island鈥檚 Confederation Centre of the Arts and is honorary president of the Canadian Club of Saskatoon.

He shares his expertise as a member of the Prime Minister鈥檚 Advisory Committee on the Public Service and the Canadian Judicial Council Chairperson鈥檚 Advisory Group. He has served on the Science, Technology and Innovation Council and chaired the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. 听

Mr. MacKinnon is co-editor of three books, including Citizenship, Diversity and Pluralism: Canadian and Comparative Perspectives and the text Drawing Boundaries: Legislatures, Courts and Electoral Values.

In May the Public Policy Forum named Mr. MacKinnon its first Prime Ministers of Canada Fellow. The forum鈥檚 president and CEO, David Mitchell, said: 鈥淗is wealth of experience and respect for public institutions make him an ideal candidate to help lead the Forum in its continuing work on governance and public service.鈥�

Mr. MacKinnon has received numerous honours, including the Canadian Bar Association Saskatchewan Branch Distinguished Service Award, the University of Saskatchewan Students鈥� Union Teaching Excellence Award, and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee Medals. He is the recipient of honorary degrees from Memorial University and the University of Regina.

In his letter supporting Mr. MacKinnon鈥檚 nomination for a 黄色直播 honorary degree, law professor Bruce Archibald wrote: 鈥淎nyone who knows Peter MacKinnon cannot but be struck by what an intelligent, hard-working, honest and decent man he is. Peter鈥檚 approach to life is one of modestly trying to make the world a more sane and satisfactory place to inhabit.鈥�

In other words, he is truly a builder. I ask you, Mr. Chancellor, in the name of the Senate, to bestow upon Mr. Peter MacKinnon the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

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