University of Toronto alumnus R. Douglas Elliott is a leader in the field of class actions and is well known for his work on landmark constitutional cases including same sex marriage (photo courtesy of Cambridge LLP)
Renowned litigator R. Douglas Elliott (JD 1982) has been named a Member of the Order of Canada for his advancement and protection of 2SLGBTQI+ rights under Canadian law. An alumnus of the Faculty of Law, he has been involved in landmark constitutional cases and class actions, notably serving as lead counsel in the LGBT Purge class action.
The Governor General announced 88 new appointments to the Order of Canada on Dec 18, including three promotions. Of those named, 24 had connections to U of T.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours. It recognizes individuals whose achievements and service have had an impact on communities across Canada and beyond.
Elliott's landmark victories as lead counsel include judgments recognizing same-sex common-law relationships, securing Canada Pension Plan survivor’s pensions for gay and lesbian Canadians, and a class-action lawsuit for thousands of people fired from federal government jobs in the 1950s and 60s – the so-called LGBT Purge.
Survivors of the purge brought forward a nation-wide class action in 2016 and in 2018, settled of $145 million with the government. Besides compensating survivors, the settlement allocated funds for reconciliation and memorialization measures. To recognize Elliott’s tireless work, the LGBT Purge Fund established a gift to support the next generation of human rights advocates.
The R. Douglas Elliott Fellowship at U of T Law funds a JD or graduate student’s work with public interest-oriented LGBTQ+ organizations, or research on antidiscrimination class actions. There have been three Elliott Fellows to date, who have completed placements with Egale – Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues.
In recognition of his historic achievements and prodigious efforts, the University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) awarded Elliott the inaugural Carl Mitchell Community Impact Award in 2023.
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Order of Canada goes to 2 advocates from northeastern Ontario
U of T community members recognized with Order of Canada
Distinguished alumnus R. Douglas Elliott recognized by LGBT Purge Fund with gift of new fellowships
Human rights champion named inaugural Carl Mitchell Award recipient
