An opportunity to pay it forward

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Man posing with his dog
Craig Haynes has been giving both his time and money to the University of Ottawa, the place that he says encouraged him to aim high. Both the scholarship he created and the legacy gift he made to the University have the same goal: give back and pay it forward.

For Craig Haynes (LLB ’99), giving his time and money is not a duty, it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to give back, pay it forward, help out, and generally allow people—and organizations like uOttawa—to be what they’re meant to be.

Haynes has been working as an environment and consumer protection lawyer at Justice Canada for the last 13 years following a stint in private practice. With both his parents in the public service—his mom in nursing, his dad in education— he learned early on to “contribute to the places that contribute to you.”

In 2015, he created a scholarship to recognize inspiring Common Law students who are actively involved in their community. “Having received scholarships during my own studies, it made sense to try to help other students,” he says. To that generous contribution, he also added a legacy gift.

“The scholarship encourages somebody to be who they are,” he says. “The legacy gift is a larger, pay-it-forward, not-knowing-what-the-outcome-is-going-to-be type of gift.”

Indeed, he is quite content to leave his future gift undirected. “That way, the University can decide where the money will best serve and have the most impact,” he says, emphasizing the vital role that universities play in educating future generations.

“If you’re thinking of making a gift or including uOttawa in your estate plans, there’s no time like now to act on your good intentions to share your resources with others. ”

Haynes made many long-time friends during his time at uOttawa. He and his wife Jeannine Ritchot (BA ’99) are avid Gee-Gees fans—as is their dog, Fergus. Haynes was also the president of the uOttawa Alumni Association from 2011 to 2014. “The University of Ottawa is a place that encouraged me to aim high,” he says, grateful for the education that gave him the opportunity to be where he is today and to share what he has with others.

His advice to others who might be tempted to follow in his footsteps? “If you’re thinking of making a gift or including uOttawa in your estate plans, there’s no time like now to act on your good intentions to share your resources with others.”