David O’Brien, OC, KC, BCL’65, to receive honorary doctorate at law convocation

The Faculty of Law is pleased to announce that our alumnus David O’Brien, OC, KC, BCL’65, LLD’25, will receive a Doctor of Law, honoris causa, from McGill University at the Spring Law Convocation Ceremony on 28 May. He will deliver the commencement address to the graduating class of 2025.

A native Montrealer, David O’Brien began his law career at Ogilvy Renault (now Norton Rose) after graduating from the McGill Faculty of Law in 1965. There, he practiced law for ten years, first as an associate, then as a partner. In 1978, he relocated to Calgary, where he held various legal and executive roles in the Canadian industrial sector.

When O’Brien was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008, he was cited as “one of Canada’s most respected corporate leaders.” Perhaps best known for his time as CEO of Canadian Pacific, he has been a pre-eminent figure in the fields of energy, banking and transportation since the late 20th century.

Throughout his career, O’Brien has been a steadfast supporter of his alma mater, greatly enhancing McGill’s global leadership in human rights and legal scholarship. In 2005, he made a landmark gift that established the O’Brien Graduate Fellowships, drawing top students from around the world to pursue their studies in human rights law at McGill. Building on this foundation, he expanded his support in 2011 to create the O’Brien Fellows in Residence Program. Through this initiative, McGill’s Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism has welcomed distinguished scholars and advocates from across the globe, bringing new ideas and perspectives that have greatly enriched the intellectual life of the University.

Among his other philanthropic undertakings, O’Brien has chaired the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation, a charity with activities in 87 countries, expanding access to drinking water and improved hygiene conditions.

Honorary Doctorates are McGill’s top award, the University’s way of paying tribute to those who have made their mark through outstanding scholarly, scientific or artistic achievement, or by virtue of exceptional contributions to the public good through their professional or philanthropic activity.

“McGill’s honorary doctorate recipients embody the remarkable diversity of excellence that defines our university community,” said Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor of McGill.

“Their achievements not only inspire our graduates to reach beyond conventional boundaries, but also remind us of the profound impact that knowledge, creativity and service can have on the world.”