RITCHIE, Marguerite Elizabeth Winnifred, C.M., Q.C., B.A., LL.B., LL.M., LL.D.; b. Edmonton, Alta. 20 May 1919; d. Allan Isaac and Marguerite Blanche (Baxter) R.; e Univ. of Alta. B.A. 1943, LL.B. 1943, LL.D. 1975; Dalhousie Univ. Exchange Scholarship; McGill Univ. LL.M. 1958; Univ. of Alta. LL.D. (Hon) 1975; PRES., HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE OF CANADA 1979-; articled to Howard T. Emery, Q.C., Edmonton; called to Bar of Alta. 1944; joined Fed. Pub. Service (Combines Investig.) 1944; Fed. Dept. of Justice 1949, Legal Advisor in Constitutional and Internat. Law, UN, Parlty. procedure, domestic law questions; seconded as Exec. Asst. to Hon. E.D. Fulton and Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Mins. of Justice); apptd. Sr. Adv. Counsel Dept. Justice; Legal Adviser to Cdn. Del. To Hague Conference on Air Law 1955; adviser to Cdn. Del. to UN Human Rights Ctte. 1962; cr. Queen's Counsel (Fed) 1963; mem., Interdept'al Cttes. maj. questions UN, Criminal Law, Internat. Law, Law of Sea, Conventions and Internat. Agreements, Status of Women; participated drafting 1968 Fed. Divorce Act; prepared and participated landmark Reference to Supreme Court of Canada re Ownership Offshore Resources B.C. 1967-68; Vice Chairperson Fed. Anti-dumping Tribunal 1972-79; First Legal Advr. Elizabeth Fry Soc. Ottawa; Lectr. In Constitutional Law Carleton Univ. 1967-68, Visiting Lectr. Treaties and Treaty-making Univ. of Ottawa; Visiting Lectr. Status of Women Trent Univ., McGill Univ.; consultant to various organs., concerned with human rights, internat. law, Federal Govt., Cdn. Constitutional law; presently concerned with various human rights and constitutional matters, incl. refusal of Prime Minister to recognize Section 15(1) of Charter of Rights and Freedoms as binding on Govt.; illegal expropriation of Provincial public property in B.C. for use of American warships carrying nuclear weapons; illegality of actions to impose forced bilingualism on City of Ottawa in violation of Charter of Rights & Freedoms; control of Parliament and all public officials by Prime Minister; decisions on major public policies without consultation with Parliament or the people; violations of United Nations Conventions; refusal to be bound by decisions of U.N. Human Rights Ctte.; anti-Semitic bias in policies about Middle East; Federal policies that support divisive language groups; failure to report on condemnations of Canada by U.N., etc.; 1st woman to receive Federal Queen's Counsel 1963; recipient, Centennial Medal 1967; special necklace from Indian Rights for Indian Women for work to help Indian women in historic Lavell case 1973; LL.D., Univ. of Alberta 1975 for dedication to the increase of justice, equality & humanity for all; Prov. of Ont. Outstanding Woman Award 1975; Eugene Forsey Award for 50 yrs. of work for human rights & justice for all Canadians, Chateauguay Valley English-Speaking Peoples Assn. 1997; Gov. General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case for lifetime of work for women's equality 1997; Mem., Order of Canada 2000; Humanities Award, Cdn. Orthodox Church for advancement & defence of human rights in Canada & around the world 2000; author various articles mags. and journs.; mem., Law Soc. Alta.; Cdn. Bar Assn.; Internat. Law Assn.; Internat. Comn. Jurists; Internat. Abolitionist Fedn.; Cdn. Fedn. Univ. Women; languages spoken: English, French; recreations: travel, walking, reading, plants; clubs: University Women's (Pres. 1958-60 Ottawa). Federal Lawyers;
Office: 303-246 Queen St., Ottawa, Ont. K1P 5E4.

E-mail: hric@HumanRightsInstitute.com
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Member of Order of Canada - November 16, 2000, Dr. Marguerite Ritchie, Q.C. - Ottawa Citizen.