Peel board school first in world
to be named for human rights
advocate Louise Arbour

Brampton - The Peel District School Board's newest secondary school is the first in the world to be named for leading Canadian human rights advocate Louise Arbour. Louise Arbour Secondary School is located in the Springdale area of Brampton and will open in fall 2009.

Notes Janet McDougald, chair of the board, "Louise Arbour is a passionate and determined human rights advocate who has worked to improve the human condition around the world. Her commitment to social justice connects strongly to the vision and focus of our new school."

"I'm very honoured to have this new secondary school in Brampton named after me," says Arbour. "I hope that it will inspire many students to engage in the affairs of their community and of the world, and in particular in the pursuit of dignity, equality and justice for all.  There is no better work."

Arbour recently completed her term of office as United Nations high commissioner for human rights. She served in that capacity from 2004 to 2008. Arbour, a Canadian national, began her academic career in 1974. In 1987, she was nominated associate professor and associate dean at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in Toronto, Canada. In December 1987, she was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario (High Court of Justice) and in 1990 she was appointed to the Court of Appeal for Ontario. In 1995, Arbour was appointed commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the Prison for Women in Kingston, Ontario.

In 1996, she was appointed by the Security Council of the United Nations as chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. In 1999, she was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Arbour graduated from College Regina Assumpta, Montreal in 1967 and completed an LL.L (with distinction) from the Faculty of Law, University of Montreal in 1970. Following the Quebec Bar Admission Course, she was called to the Quebec Bar in 1971 and the Ontario Bar in 1977. Arbour has received honorary doctorates from 30 Universities and numerous medals and awards. She is a member of many distinguished professional societies and organizations and serves on the boards of the International Crisis Group and Human Rights Watch.

The Peel board serves more than 150,000 students in kindergarten to the end of secondary school. Operating 235 schools in the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, the Peel board is the largest employer in Peel. For more information, visit the board's website at www.peelschools.org.