-The Honourable Louise Arbour to deliver the lecture on October 29-

(Charlottetown, P.E.I.) – One of Canada’s most experienced international law experts will give her take on the state of Canadian Confederation on October 29 as the recipient of the 2021 Symons Medal.

The Honourable Louise Arbour, CC, GOQ, is a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a former Supreme Court Justice, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and is currently leading an external review of sexual misconduct in the Canadian military.

“Madame Arbour is one of Canada’s most respected and sought-after national and international law experts and a most deserving recipient of the Symons Medal,” says Robert Sear, Chair of the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust. “We look forward to hearing her views on how our country has changed, and what may lie ahead as we navigate our rapidly changing world.”

The Symons Medal Lecture provides a national platform for a distinguished Canadian to discuss the current state and future prospects of Confederation. It provides all Canadians an opportunity to reflect upon their country and its future. The medal ceremony and lecture is held each fall on the Mainstage of Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.

The title of Madame Arbour’s lecture is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM, or “They Desire a Better Country” which is the motto of the Order of Canada. It will focus on the transformation of Canadian society through immigration, the pandemic, and the law.

She follows a formidable line of Symons Medallists, including the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, The Honourable Murray Sinclair, and the Honourable Bob Rae.

The 2021 Symons Medal Lecture takes place on the Mainstage of Confederation Centre of the Arts on Friday, October 29, at 7 pm. The event will also be live-streamed on Confederation Centre’s Facebook page.

Tickets will be available for Confederation Centre Members on Saturday, October 9. To become a member and take advantage of priority ticket booking, please visit confederationcentre.com/membership. Tickets will open to the general public on Wednesday, October 13. To book your seats visit confederationcentre.com, or call the Box Office at 1-800-565-0278. There is no cost to attend the ceremony, but patrons must have a ticket to enter and quantities are limited.

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Photo cutline: The Honourable Louise Arbour, CC, GOQ