Law Prof. John McCamus (left) will be inducted to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) at a ceremony in Ottawa Nov. 19.
Being elected a Fellow of the society is considered the highest honour for Canadian scholars and scientists and McCamus is most worthy of this recognition, noted Patrick Monahan, dean of York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, in a recent public letter of congratulations. He is the eighth Osgoode scholar to be elected to the national academy, which is dedicated to promoting exceptional learning, research and accomplishments in the arts, humanities and sciences.
An erudite scholar and engaging teacher of contracts, commercial and consumer transactions, contract remedies, and restitution, McCamus is the author of The Law of Restitution, editor of Freedom of Information: Canadian Perspectives, and co-editor of National Security: Surveillance and Accountability in a Democratic Society.
As well, he has made a remarkable contribution to law reform efforts in Ontario, having served as Chair of the Ontario Law Reform Commission from 1992 to 1996, research director for the Ontario Commission on Freedom of Information and Individual Privacy, and Chair in 1996-97 of the Ontario Legal Aid Review whose three-volume report formed the basis for new legal aid legislation in Ontario.
At Osgoode, McCamus has also played important leadership roles as dean from 1982 to 1987, assistant and associate dean, and director of the graduate program. In addition, he served as editor-in-chief of the Osgoode Hall Law Journal from 1990 to 1996.
McCamus is the eighth Osgoode faculty member to be elected to the society. The others are Professors Emeriti Harry Arthurs, Jean-Gabriel Castel and Peter Hogg; Associate Dean Allan Hutchinson; and Professors Liora Salter, Brian Slattery and Sharon Williams.