(No. 7 – January 8, 2010 – 7:20 p.m. EDT) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement today on the death of Rémy M. Beauregard, President of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights & Democracy).
“I was deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Beauregard’s passing. Canada and the world have lost a remarkable Canadian whose accomplishments in the protection and promotion of human rights spanned the globe. He was a tireless human rights advocate who will always deserve recognition and respect for his work and commitment to promoting human rights and democratic governance in Canada and internationally.
“Among his many accomplishments, he served as the Executive Director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and worked with United Nations agencies and civil society organizations for the establishment of national human rights institutions in numerous developing countries. He also assisted with the creation of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies and served as its first Executive Secretary. Mr. Beauregard’s commitment to human rights took him to remote northern Uganda, where he worked with War Child Canada to help children affected by conflict. With his wife by his side and at an age where many choose retirement, he decided to assist directly in human rights field work.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Beauregard’s wife Suzanne and his family on the loss of their loved one.”
Rights & Democracy is a non-partisan organization with an international mandate. It was created by Parliament in 1988 to encourage and support the universal values of human rights and to promote democratic institutions and practices around the world. Mr. Beauregard was appointed president of Rights & Democracy on July 7, 2008 after an illustrious career as a senior official in the Ontario public service.
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