Member of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2007-05-03
Invested on: 2008-04-11
Mary Dawson has made a major contribution to public policy in our nation. As a lawyer and senior executive with Justice Canada for more than 35 years, she played a unique and integral role in the development of constitutional law and policy in Canada. Renowned as a guardian of the language of our laws, she drafted many pieces of important legislation, including the Constitution Act, 1982, the Clarity Act, the Canada Health Act and the Official Languages Act. Known for her integrity, intelligence and selfless service, she has been a role model to a generation of young lawyers and public servants.