People of SFU
SFU professor Maureen Maloney named to Order of B.C.
A renowned lawyer, human-rights advocate and professor in SFU’s School of Public Policy, Maureen Maloney, QC, is among 14 outstanding people who were named to the Order of British Columbia on B.C. Day (Aug. 1).
The award, the province’s highest honour, is presented to those whose extraordinary contributions and achievements have resulted in a better quality of life in B.C.
“Maureen Maloney has devoted her life to advancing human rights and promoting social and economic justice on behalf of women, Indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups,” says the biography released by the Honours and Awards Secretariat. “Her work has improved lives and expanded opportunities for British Columbians, making B.C. a more inclusive, fair and progressive society.”
Maloney says she’s appreciative of and honoured by the award, while noting that her contributions have always been part of a team effort. She says the award therefore is a credit to the great teams with whom she’s worked to advance social justice and ameliorate economic and social inequality.
“My main thrust, along with many other people, has been to make life easier for people who are disadvantaged, particularly in the justice system,” Maloney says.
“I’ve done a lot of work nationally and internationally advocating human rights on behalf of those suffering disadvantage – particularly women, Indigenous people and the poor. As deputy attorney general, I worked to design justice systems that are easier to access for those who lack privilege and power.”
'Maureen Maloney has devoted her life to advancing human rights and promoting social and economic justice on behalf of women, Indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups.'
B.C. Honours and Awards Secretariat
Maloney joined SFU’s School of Public Policy in 2010 and focused her teaching and research on justice systems, international human rights and conflict management and resolution. She has been actively involved in governance and human rights projects in South-East Asia, Iraq, China, Brazil, Guatemala and South Africa.
Before coming to SFU, Maloney was the first woman in B.C., and second in the country, to become dean of a Canadian law school. As dean of the University of Victoria Faculty of Law, she introduced measures to ensure a more diverse student body and established special admissions criteria and processes for Indigenous students and those disadvantaged by disability, ethnicity or economic status.
Maloney also served the provincial government as B.C.’s first woman deputy attorney general. She has been a member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and a board member of the Canadian Human Rights Foundation.
In 2018, she chaired an expert panel on money laundering in real estate in B.C. and has shared her expertise internationally on the harms caused by money laundering and on policy measures to combat it.
A Queen’s Counsel since 1995, Maloney has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including the 125 Confederation Canada Medal for her contributions to Canada.
SFU connections to Order of B.C.
In addition to Maureen Maloney, three other people with strong SFU ties were named to the Order of B.C. this year. Congratulations all.
Dr. Nadine Caron: A surgeon and longtime advocate for equity in the health care system, Caron is an alumnus (BSc, Kinesiology), an SFU honorary degree recipient, an Outstanding Alumni Award recipient, a Shrum Gold medal winner and former member of the SFU women’s basketball and soccer teams.
Nezhat Khosrowshahi: A successful businesswoman, Khosrowshahi has volunteered for dozens of community and charitable organizations. She is a past member of SFU’s Board of Governors.
Christine Sinclair: One of Canada’s greatest athletes, Sinclair led the national women’s soccer team for two decades. She is an SFU honorary degree recipient.