Senator Donald Oliver

HON. SENATOR DONALD H. OLIVER, Q.C.

Hon. Dr. Donald H. Oliver, Q.C., Black lawyer from Halifax was born in Wolfville Nova Scotia on November 16, 1938, son of the late Helena and Clifford H. Oliver.  He was summoned to the Senate of Canada by the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada, on September 7, 1990.

EDUCATION:
A. Graduated from Wolfville High School in 1956
B. Graduated from Acadia University, B.A. (Honours), History, in 1960
      a. Class Valedictorian
      b. Received the Ralph M. Hunt Prize in Political Science
      c. President, History Club
      d. President, Philosophy Club
      e. B.A. (Honours) Thesis: “Wesleyanism as a Vehicle of Social and Political  Criticism in the Century Before 1848”
C. Graduated from Dalhousie University Law School, LL.B., in 1964
      a. Sir James Dunn Scholarship in Law
      b. Awarded the G.O. Forsythe Prize for Scholarship and Character
      c. Faculty of Law Scholarship

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
A. Practiced Law in Halifax with Stewart McKelvey Stirling and Scales from (1965 to 1990) and subsequently at two other Law Firms for a total of 36 years primarily in Civil Litigation
B. Taught at Dalhousie University Law School as a part-time professor for 14 years
C. Taught a course in Law at the Technical University of Nova Scotia and Saint Mary’s University
D. Lecturer in Pre-retirement Seminars in Wills and Estate Planning for the Provincial Department of Education from (1976-1990)
 
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND SERVICES:
A. Member, Canadian Bar Association
B. Member, Nova Scotia Barrister's Society
C. Bar Society Committee work:
     a. Member, Unauthorized Practices Committee
     b. Member, Professional Standards Committee
     c. Member, Reimbursement Fund Committee
     d. Member, Inter-Provincial/Inter-Jurisdictional Law Practice
     e. Co-chairman, Annual Meeting Committee (2 terms)
      f. Panelist and lecturer at Nova Scotia Bar Society Refresher Courses
D. Director, Law Foundation of Nova Scotia
 
SENATE ACTIVITIES:
A. Speaker pro tempore of the Senate of Canada (2010-present)
B. President, Canadian Group of the Inter-parliamentary Union (2006-present) and Member of the Inter-parliamentary Union’s Executive Committee
C. Member, Senate Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce (2009-present)
D. Member, Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (2011-present)
E. Former Chair, Senate Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2009)
F. Former Vice-Chair, Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2007-2008)
G. Former Chair, Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (2006 -2007)
H. Former Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on National Finance (2004 – 2005)
I. Former Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture  and  Forestry (2002 – 2004)
J. Former Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (1992-1996)
K. Former Co-Chairman, Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons on a Code of Conduct (1995-1997)
L. Former Member, Senate Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2010-2011)
M. Former Member, Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights (2006-2008-, 2004-2005, 2001-2002)
N. Former Member, Standing Joint Committee on Library of Parliament (2006-2008, 2001-2002)
O. Former Member, Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (1999-2008)
P. Former Member, Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (2004-2008, 1994-1996)
Q. Former Member, Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons on a Renewed Canada (1991-1993)
 
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
A. Member, Nova Scotia Board of Regents of the Nova Scotia Council for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
B. Lifetime Honorary Governor, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s Board of Governors
C. Former Governor, Technical University of Nova Scotia and Chairman of the Personnel Committee
D. Former President and Chairman, Halifax Children's Aid Society
E. Former Atlantic Provinces Co-Chairman, Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Chairman (now the Canadian Centre for Diversity)
F. Former President and Director, Neptune Theatre Foundation (Appointed Honourary Life Director)
G. Founding Chairman, the Metro Volunteer Resource Centre
H. Former Director, National Youth Orchestra of Canada
I. Former Director, Junior Achievement of Halifax, Nova Scotia
J. Former Director, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
K. Former Director, Alumni Association of Acadia University
L. Former Director, Dalhousie University Alumni Association
M. Former Director, Halifax-Dartmouth Welfare Council
N. Former Director, Atlantic Ballet Company
O. Former Director, Halifax Court House Commission
P. Former Director, Halifax-Dartmouth United Appeal
Q. Former Director, Hearing and Speech Clinic
R. Former Chairman, Board of Directors, Halifax Neighbourhood Centre
S. Former Director, Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Council
T. Former Director, Halifax Youth Communication Society
U. Former Member, Executive Committee, N.S. Leadership Prayer Breakfast
V. Former Director, Community Business Initiative Advisory Board - Federal Business Development Bank
W. Former Director, Nova Scotia Election Commission
X. Former Member, Special Advisory Council, Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs

CONTRIBUTION TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY:
A. Committee Chair, African Diaspora Scholarship Empowerment Fund at the University of Windsor
B. Member, Advisory Committee for the Black Business and Professional Association, Toronto, Ontario
C. Member, National Advisory Board of the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University
D. Patron, Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD)
E. Founding President, First Chairman of the Board and Patron of the Society for the Protection and Preservation of Black Culture in Nova Scotia
F. Former Vice President, Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NSAACP)
G. Founding Director, Black United Front
H. Atlantic Provinces Representative to the Honourable Robert de Cotret for the Advisory Committee on the Employment of Visible Minorities in the Public Service
I. National Co-Chair, President’s Advisory Group to fund a Chair on Canadian Black Studies at Dalhousie University
J. Member and Co-Chairman, Advisory Board for the Indigenous Black and MicMac Program at Dalhousie Law School
K. Atlantic Provinces Representative in Ethiopia with Operation Crossroads Africa Incorporated
L. Governor, National Council of Black Educators of Canada
M. Director, Atlantic Branch Operation Crossroads Africa Inc.
 
POLITICS:
Senator Oliver has been active in political affairs with the Progressive Conservative Party for more than 50 years including serving as Director, Legal Affairs in six General Election Campaigns in 1972, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1984, and 1988 campaigns and he served in several executive offices. He served terms as National Vice-President Atlantic Region with the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and was Director of P.C. Canada Fund and a member of the Audit Committee of P.C. Canada Fund. He served for years as Constitution Chairman and member of the Finance Committee for the P.C. Party of Nova Scotia and is a former Vice-President of that Party.
 
FORMER AND CURRENT BUSINESS INTERESTS:
A. President, Pleasant River Farms Limited
B. President, Dolin Fisheries Limited
C. President, Glen Moir Holdings Limited
D. Director, Advisory Board AT&T Canada Inc.
E. AT&T Committee Chairman: Moving to the New Millennium
F. Director and Vice-President, S.O.M. Holdings Inc., a development company
G. Member, Canada Council Investment Committee
H. Speaker/lecturer on topics such as Corporate Governance, Political Ethics, Pluralism and Diversity, Canadian Constitution and Election Law
I. Consultant, Advisor and Director of a number of other national and international companies

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
A. Honorary Degrees:
a. Doctor of Civil Law (honoris causa) from Acadia University, May 2007
b. Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from the University of Guelph, June 2006
c. Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from Dalhousie University, May 2003

B. Diversity and Human Rights:
a. 2011 DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award from the Canadian Martin Luther King Day Coalition, Ottawa, January 2011
b. Freedom Award from The Black Cultural Centre For Nova Scotia, Halifax, April 2010
c. Distinguished Men of Honour Award from the Black Business & Professional Association, Toronto, March 2010
d. Special recognition for Achievement by a Notable Black Canadian from the Black Business & Professional Association and the Toronto Raptors, Toronto, February 2010
e. Leadership Award from Planet Africa, Toronto, October 2009
f. Outstanding Achievement Award from the National Council of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service, Toronto, September 2009
g. Human Rights Award from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Halifax, 2006

C. Community Service:
a. Harry Jerome Award for Community Services from the Black Business & Professional Association, Toronto, 1996

D. Business:
a. Special Board Award of Business Excellence from the Black Business Initiative, Halifax, June 2009

E. Politics:
a. African-Canadian Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Politics from Pride News Magazine, Toronto, April 2004

SOME KEY SPEECHES:

Technology
“The Proliferation of New Information and Communication Technologies: How Parliaments Need to Adopt to their Rapid Expansion”: 3rd World Speakers Conference, Geneva, Switzerland – July 19-20th, 2010

“Diversity and the Digital Divide: the Challenge for Universities”: The 11th Distinguished Canadian Annual Address at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts – October 29th, 2009

“Pragmatic Optimism: Benefits of Technology in a Changing World”: Microsoft Government Leaders Forum, Redmond, Washington – May 17th, 2004

Business and Economy
“Financial Sector Reform: The Road to Stable Credit Markets”: Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations, New York, USA – December 2nd, 2010

“Atlantic Canada is Open for Business: Business and Investment Opportunities”: Global Economic Summit, Mumbai, India – January 22nd, 2010

“Regional Trade Agreements: How They Play a Role in Advancing Multilateral Negotiations”: 15th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Moscow, Russia – January 21-26th, 2007

“Advancing Multilateral Negotiations Through Regional and Bilateral Trade Agreements: Canada’s Commitment to Liberalized Trade”:  Parliamentary WTO Conference, Geneva, Switzerland – December 2nd, 2006

“Improving the Economy of Nova Scotia: Avenues to Follow”: Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia – March 28th, 2002

Governance and Parliament
“Enhancing Parliamentary Accountability”: 9th Workshop of Parliamentary Scholars and Parliamentarians, Oxfordshire, England – July 24-25th, 2010

“Adopting the U.K. Accounting Officer Model in Canada”:  8th Workshop of Parliamentary Scholars and Parliamentarians, Oxfordshire, England – July 26-27th, 2008

“Canada’s Commitment to Climate Change: The Creation of a Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development”. 116th IPU Assembly, Bali, Indonesia – April 10th, 2007

“The Federal Accountability Act: Strengthening the Rules and Institutions that Ensure Transparency and Accountability to Canadians”: First Annual Commonwealth Caribbean Parliamentary Workshop, Trinidad and Tobago – January 9-11th, 2007

“Civil Society and Good Governance”: Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Jakarta, Indonesia – January 15-20th, 2006

“Promoting Innovative Sources of Financing for Development: The Role for Parliaments”: Joint UN-IPU Meeting, New York, United States of America – June 10th, 2005

“Good Corporate Governance in Canada: 4 Critical Areas to Making it Work”: Conference Board of Canada – Corporate Responsibility and Ethics Council, Toronto, Ontario – October 17th, 2002

“Corporate Governance Issues – Post Enron”: Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Business Economists, Ottawa, Ontario – June 19th, 2002

“Institutional Investors and Corporate Governance Issues”: 11th Annual Investor Relations Conference, Toronto, Ontario – May 26th, 1998

“The ‘New Conservatism’ in the 1990’s”: International Young Democrat Union Foundation Meeting, Washington, District of Columbia – March 4th, 1991

Pensions
“Institutional Activism”: Association of Canadian Pension Management Annual Conference, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec – September 20th, 2000

Diversity and Human Rights
“Who Will Stand-Up for Visible Minorities and Other Target Groups?”: Visible Minority and Aboriginal Executives of the Public Service of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario – May 12th, 2011

“My Question Tonight”: 29th Annual Harry Jerome Awards, Black Business and Professional Association, Toronto, Ontario – April 30th, 2011

“Diversity Today: Big Hopes for the Future”: Black History Month 2011, National Defense Visible Minority Advisory Group; Visible Minority Advisory Committee of Canada Revenue Agency; and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Ottawa, Ontario – February 7 and 10th, 2011

“Engaging Visible Minorities and Aboriginal Peoples in the Political Process: A Canadian Model”: International Parliamentary Conference on “Parliaments, minorities and indigenous peoples: Effective participation in politics”, Chiapas, Mexico – November 1st, 2010

“A Look at the Contributions of Black Canadians: Racism Then and Now”: Employment Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario – February 25th, 2010

“A Parliamentary View on Pluralism”:  Panel on Managing Diversity, 120th General Assembly of the International Parliamentary Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – April 8th, 2009

“60 Years after the Declaration of Human Rights: The Canadian Experience with respect to Minority Rights”:  UNESCO and Canada Council for the Arts joint ceremony, Ottawa, Ontario – December 18th, 2009

“Integration and Respect for Diversity: A Canadian Perspective”: Council of Europe “Human Rights in Culturally Diverse Societies: Challenges and Perspectives”, The Hague, Netherlands – November 12th, 2008 

“Fostering a Vibrant Culture of Diversity”:  Canadian Security Intelligence Services Executive Meeting, Montebello, Québec – October 28th, 2008

“Making the Case for Diversity Today – A Canadian Perspective”: Conference on Diversity through Equality: In Public Administration in Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark – October 18th, 2007

“People Mix and Mingle: Capturing the Promise of Diversity”: Canada-Norway Business Association, Oslo, Norway – October 10th, 2006

“Canadian Multiculturalism in Theory and Practice: Individual and Group Rights”: University of Aarhus, Copenhagen, Denmark – October 13th, 2006

“Diversity and Integration in Education, Skills and Business; the Canadian Experience and Challenges for Europe”: Copenhagen School of Business, Copenhagen, Denmark – October 2006

“Creating a Culture of Inclusion”: Human Resources Management Group World Event Canada, Stockholm, Sweden – April 27th, 2006

“Diversity in Government: Capturing the Full Promise of Pluralism”: World Event Canada, Stockholm, Sweden – April 26th, 2006

“Corporate Canada and the Diversity Challenge”: HP Canada, Toronto, Ontario – November 25th, 2005

“Canadian Perspective on the Integration of Visible Minority Groups”: International Seminar on Advancing Equity and Racial Inclusion, Brasilia, Brazil – April 13th, 2005

“Achieving Results Through Diversity: A Strategy for Success”:  Ivey Business Journal, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario – March/April 2005

“The Universality of Human Rights: A Canadian Perspective”: Atlantic Human Rights Centre, Fredericton, New Brunswick – March 20th, 1998

“Race Relations and the Challenge for the New Millennium”: London Race Relations Advisory Committee, London, Ontario – March 16th, 1997

“The Black Man’s Passion for Equality and Freedom: Nova Scotia’s Black History”: The Barton Lecture to the Faculty and Students of Upper Canada College, Toronto, Ontario – May 15th, 1995

HOBBIES:
A. Author of a gourmet cookbook
B. Member, Saraguay Club and Halifax Club
C. Grand Pilier Général, Commanderie du Canada of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin
D. Member, Chester Golf and Country Club

PERSONAL:
Senator Oliver is married to M. Linda Oliver (nee MacLellan) - a telecommunications consultant.  They have one daughter, Carolynn.  The family enjoys Alpine skiing, golf, travel and gardening.

CONTACTS:
Ottawa office        (613) 943-1445
Ottawa fax        (613) 943-1502
Residence        (902) 685-3873
E-mail            This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Website        www.senatordonaldoliver.ca