Meighan and Lamarre to be honoured at Fall Convocation
By McGill Reporter Staff
McGill will honour a pair of distinguished Quebecers at the University’s Fall Convocation ceremonies to be held on Halloween at Place des Arts. Michael A. Meighan, former Canadian senator, lawyer and cultural patron; and Daniel Lamarre, Canadian businessman and President and Chief Operating Officer of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, will be presented with honorary degrees as part of the Convocation ceremonies.
Lawyer, Senator, philanthropist
Meighan, who will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, has achieved equal distinction in the fields of law, politics and philanthropy. From his tenure as President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada to his participation as co-counsel for the Deschênes Commission on War Criminals in Canada, he has maintained a high profile in Canadian political and legal life. In 1990, Meighen was appointed to the Senate and has since chaired three committees and served on many others.
Meighen has contributed generously to organizations supporting education, health, the arts, poverty, youth at risk, drug addiction and nature conservation and has served on the boards of numerous corporations and non-profit organizations. While maintaining a law practice in Quebec and Ontario, Meighen is also a co-chair of Campaign McGill, and has worked diligently to encourage alumni and friends to support the University.
Big top and boardrooms
Daniel Lamarre, who will also receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, is one of Canada’s most influential businessmen. As President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, Lamarre is in charge of strategies both at the business development and operations levels. Lamarre also sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
From 1984 to 1997, Lamarre worked with National Public Relations, first as Executive Vice-President and Senior Partner, then as President. In 1981, as its President and CEO, he opened and directed the Montreal office of of Burson-Marsteller, the world’s largest PR firm. Prior to his leadership duties in the world of communications, he worked as a journalist for over 10 years, starting out with the Trois-Rivières daily Le Nouvelliste and then Radio-Canada.