We congratulate both these individuals on this tremendous and well-deserved honour. Their induction into the Order of Canada is a testament to their outstanding contributions to their respective fields, and to their commitment to making a lasting impact on society.
Since its creation in 1967, the Order of Canada has honoured more than 7 800 people whose service has shaped our society, whose innovations have ignited our imaginations, and whose compassion has united our communities.
Professor Peter Showler, a renowned figure in the field of immigration and refugee law, was conferred this distinction in recognition of his leadership in immigration and refugee law, and for his mentorship of the next generation of refugee lawyers. Over the course of his career, Showler has been a champion for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, advocating for their fair treatment and equal access to legal representation. He has a long association with the Common Law Section.
Showler is the former Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (1999-2002) and is the author of Refugee Sandwich: stories of exile and asylum. He frequently speaks and writes on refugee issues.
He held the Faculty's Gordon Henderson Chair in Human Rights in 2003-2004 and between 2006 and 2013, he was the Director of Refugee Forum, a research, education and communication project located at the Human Rights Research and Education Centre.
For almost a decade he taught the first experiential learning-based seminar course on Advanced Refugee Law, where students learned refugee advocacy skills from meeting the client to representation at an IRB hearing. He also taught the introductory Immigration and Refugee Law course and supervised graduate students.
Alum Mathilde Françoise Gravelle-Bazinet, LLB ’91, was honored for her remarkable service and contributions to healthcare, justice, and education. Throughout her distinguished career, Gravelle-Bazinet has dedicated herself to improving the lives of individuals and communities through her tireless efforts and unwavering commitment.
Bazinet is President of MGB & Associates, a Conflict Resolution firm that she established in April 2004. Prior to this role, Bazinet worked with the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) as a Commissioner, with the Department of Justice Canada as the Executive Director of the Office of Conflict Management and Federal Centre for Workplace Conflict Management and as legal counsel for Health Canada. A member of the Law Society of Ontario, she entered the law profession after a successful 20-year career in the field of senior Health Care Administration and Nursing Education at the college and university level and within the provincial and federal public service. Prior to receiving her law degree from the Faculty, she had earned the degrees of Master of Educational Administration, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Education.
Bazinet has served on numerous professional Committees, Boards and Commissions, including St. Joseph’s Hospital Board of Directors; Ontario Health Review Panel (Evans Commission); Ottawa-Carleton District Health Council; University of Ottawa Post-Graduate Medical Program Advisory Committee and Loeb Medical Research Institute. From 2005 to 2009, she served as the Founding Chair of the Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN).
She has received many awards throughout her career including the Gold Medal for Excellence in Nursing Theory & Practice; Justice Canada’s Merit Award for establishing the Office of Conflict Resolution; University of Ottawa Faculty of Law Award for Excellence in Advocacy & Teaching and in 2017, she was one of 12 Franco-Ontarians nominated to receive a prestigious award from the Senate for improving the lives of her fellow citizens and promoting her community.
She is the author of several publications in the field of conflict resolution, health care administration and emergency services.
To read more about the 2023 Order of Canada inductees, please visit the Governor General’s website.