Louise Arbour

Career

Legal career

In Canada

From 1972–73, Arbour served as a research officer for the Law Reform Commission of Canada. She then taught at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, first as a Lecturer (1974), then as Assistant Professor (1975), Associate Professor (1977–1987), and finally as Associate Professor and Associate Dean (1987). She was vice-president of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association until her appointment to the Supreme Court of Ontario (High Court of Justice) in 1987 and to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 1990. In 1995, Arbour was appointed as President of a Commission of Inquiry, under the Inquiries Act, for the purpose of investigating and reporting on events at the Prison for Women in Kingston, Ontario, following allegations by prisoners of abuse. The inquiry resulted in the publication of the Arbour Report.

The Hague

In 1996, at Richard Goldstone's recommendation, Arbour was appointed as his replacement as Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, and of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. She helped convict Jean-Paul Akayesu of genocide, the first such conviction since 1948 Genocide Convention. She also indicted then-Serbian President Slobodan Milošević for war crimes, the first time a serving head of State was called to account before an international court. Arbour declined to investigate any potential NATO war crimes, stating that "I accept the assurances given by NATO leaders that they intend to conduct their operations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in full compliance with international humanitarian law".

Supreme Court of Canada

In 1999, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien appointed Arbour to the Supreme Court of Canada on May 26, just one day before the publication of the indictment of Milosevic by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). In 2004, Arbour retired from the Supreme Court of Canada, having served for just under five years. During her time on the Court, she wrote 68 reasons.

United Nations and later career

After leaving the Supreme Court of Canada, Arbour became the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights. She criticized a number of countries for their human rights records. In 2008, she stepped down after serving one four-year term. In 2014, after leaving the International Crisis Group as president and CEO since 2009, Arbour began working for Borden Ladner Gervais as a senior counsel. Arbour was also a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, and the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute's International Council.

On March 9, 2017, Arbour was appointed by the U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres, to be his Special Representative for International Migration. In 2018, she described anti-migration sentiment in Western countries as "completely self-defeating." In April 2021, Canadian Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan appointed Arbour to lead an independent review of the military’s handling of sexual assault, harassment and other misconduct. In May 2022, she delivered her final report, which included 48 recommendations, including a proposal for civilian courts to handle sexual assault allegations involving members of the military.

Governor General of Canada

On May 5, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that King Charles III had approved Arbour's appointment as the 31st governor general of Canada, succeeding Mary Simon. Before being installed on June 8, Arbour was received by Charles III in London. During this audience, she was invested as an extraordinary Commander of the Order of Military Merit, and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, as is customary for governors general, who are ex officio the chancellor of the respective orders. Arbour is the oldest person to hold the office in Canadian history. During her installation ceremony, Arbour warned Canadians to be "vigilant" amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

Personal life

At the University of Ottawa, Arbour met her long-time common-law partner Larry Taman, with whom she lived for 27 years before separating after she moved to The Hague in 1996. Arbour had three children with Taman: Emilie, Patrick and Catherine. She also has grandchildren.

Arbour speaks both English and French fluently.

Her daughter, Emilie Taman, is a lawyer and politician affiliated with the New Democratic Party (NDP). Emilie was the NDP candidate for Ottawa—Vanier in the 2015 Canadian federal election and the 2017 Ottawa—Vanier federal by-election, and later contested Ottawa Centre in the 2019 Canadian federal election.

Arbour has described herself as a supporter of international justice, human rights and multilateral cooperation, themes that have shaped both her judicial and diplomatic career.

In the media

Arbour has published works on criminal procedure and criminal law in both French and English. At various times, she has served as an editor for the Criminal Reports, the Canadian Rights Reporter, and the Osgoode Hall Law Journal.

On April 1, 2016, Arbour participated in a Munk Debate concerning what was being called a global refugee crisis at the time, arguing alongside historian Simon Schama in favour of the resolution that Western nations have a moral imperative to accept a large influx of refugees. Beginning the evening with 77 percent of the audience supporting their side, Arbour and Schama lost the debate to opponents Mark Steyn and Nigel Farage, who swung 22 percent of the audience vote against the resolution by the end of the event.

Awards and recognition

In 2005, Arbour was awarded the Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights, along with Justice Richard Goldstone, in recognition of her work on the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. She was the subject of a 2005 fact-based Canadian-German made-for-television movie, Hunt for Justice, which follows her quest to indict Bosnian Serb war criminals. Arbour was played by Canadian actress Wendy Crewson. In 2016, she was awarded the Tang Prize in rule of law for her contributions to international criminal justice and the protection of human rights. She has multiple schools named after her, including Louise Arbour Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario.

Arbour was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2007 "for her contributions to the Canadian justice system and for her dedication to the advancement of human rights throughout the world". She was made a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec in 2009. She was made a Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour in 2011. In 2014, she was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.

Arbour has been awarded numerous honorary degrees, including Doctor of Civil Laws from the University of Western Ontario in June 2000, Doctor of Humane Letters from Mount Saint Vincent University in May 2001, and Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of New Brunswick in 1999, from the University of British Columbia in November 2001, from Concordia University in 2001, the University of Waterloo in October 2006, in June 2009 from the University of Alberta and University of Guelph, from Simon Fraser University in October 2009, and from Vancouver Island University in January 2020.

In January 2023, Arbour was awarded the 2023 Sandra Day O'Connor Justice Prize from Arizona State University, a lifetime achievement award for human rights work as well as upholding the rule of law and judicial independence.

Honours

Ribbon bars of Louise Arbour

Honorary military appointments