Arthur Richard Donahoe

Arthur Richard Donahoe, Q.C.

Doctor of Laws

Arthur Donahoe will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws at the afternoon ceremony. Donahoe is a Santamarian who went on to become a lawyer, politician and public servant. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary's and a Law degree from Dalhousie Law School. He practiced law in Halifax, and from 1978 until 1992 was a member of the Nova Scotia Legislature, where he served as Speaker of the House from 1981 until 1991. During his time as Speaker he was instrumental in a modernization of the House procedures, including a complete revamping of the committee system. In 1992, following a Commonwealth-wide selection process, he became the first Canadian chosen to be Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), based in London, England. The CPA promotes parliamentary democracy, and during his two terms in office, Donahoe managed a substantial growth in the size and operation of the organization, which resulted from the implementation of the Commonwealth's Harare Declaration. He remains the only Canadian to have served as CEO of the organization in its nearly 100-year history. His community service includes being the Honorary Vice Cousul of Barbados, membership on the board of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs (CCEPA), acting as one of the trustees of the Patrick Power Estate, and assisting in the campaign to raise funds for the completion of the auditorium at the new Citadel High School. He is also a past president of the Charitable Irish Society, a former vice president of the United Way, a former chairman of the board of management of St. Vincent's Guest House, and a past president of the Ashburn Golf Club. This Honorary Doctorate recognizes the contribution Arthur Donahoe has made promoting democracy and democratic processes throughout the world, as well as his ongoing support for Saint Mary's through his work with the Patrick Power Estate.