Honorary Degree Recipient: Dave Levac

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Doctor of Laws | Presented on June 4, 2 p.m.

Chancellor Mercier, President MacLatchy, faculty, graduates, and guests. It is my distinct pleasure to present to you one of the Brant community’s greatest champions and a true friend of Laurier, Dave Levac.

Raised here in Brantford and extremely proud of his Eagle Place roots, Mr. Levac’s lifelong devotion to Brant as a leader, community builder, volunteer, and philanthropist is exemplary. He first made an impact as a volunteer and educator during the 1980s and ’90s, before going on to serve as Brant’s Member of Provincial Parliament for 19 years. During his final two terms at Queen’s Park, Mr. Levac served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Prior to politics, Mr. Levac worked as an elementary school teacher and principal. During this time, he introduced an award-winning conflict resolution program for students, providing them tools required to resolve conflict, learn integrity, and develop pride in themselves and their school. For his outstanding work, Mr. Levac was named an Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association distinguished teacher in 1994.

First elected to Queen’s Park in 1999, Mr. Levac served a total of five terms as MPP for Brant. During his final two terms as Speaker – a position chosen by all members of the legislature – Mr. Levac became known for the dedication, fairness, and integrity he brought to managing legislative debate. When he left politics in 2018, he retired as the longest-serving Speaker in the history of the Ontario legislature, serving from 2011 to 2018. A hallmark of Mr. Levac’s entire political career was his willingness to work with individuals of all political backgrounds to get things accomplished for his constituents.

A pillar of the community, Mr. Levac’s many contributions include serving as co-ordinator of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1997 visit to Brantford, founding the former Walter Gretzky CNIB Celebrity Golf Tournament, and chairing the annual Thank-A-Vet Luncheon, among seemingly countless others. As Speaker, Mr. Levac launched the annual Speaker’s Book Award to recognize outstanding works of non-fiction by Ontario authors and showcase the province’s diverse culture and history.

For his many contributions, Mr. Levac was invested into the Order of Ontario in 2022; awarded Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals; presented the YMCA Canada Peace Medal; and in 2011 received the Chevalier of the Order of Merit from the Government of Ukraine for his efforts to educate about the 1930s Ukrainian famine through the Holodomor Memorial Day Act.

In addition to these many accomplishments, Mr. Levac is a proud Laurier alum – Bachelor of Arts 1976 – and has served as a champion for the growth and development of Laurier’s Brantford campus since its establishment the same year he was first elected to Queen’s Park, 1999. In an interview with Laurier Campus magazine upon his retirement, Mr. Levac reflected on his time as MPP and offered advice to young people considering a career in politics.

“Look in the mirror and know the face you see,” he said at the time. “Know who you are and be who you are. Be the leader that is thoughtful; be the leader that is empathetic; be the leader that gets it and works hard; be the leader that pulls people together and doesn't push them apart; be polite and do good. Those are the simple things people actually crave for and they desperately want in their politicians.”

And those are the values that Mr. Levac lived his entire career.

For service to his province and community, upholding the highest ideals in politics, and dedication to his alma mater, we honour Mr. Levac today. Madame Chancellor, I am instructed by the Senate of the university to request you to admit to the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Dave Levac.