Louise Arbour facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louise Arbour
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Arbour in 2011
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| Governor General-designate of Canada | |
| Assuming office July 2026 |
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| Nominated by | Mark Carney |
| Succeeding | Mary Simon |
| United Nations Special Representative for International Migration | |
| In office March 1, 2017 – December 31, 2018 |
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| Secretary General | António Guterres |
| Preceded by | Peter Sutherland |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights | |
| In office July 30, 2004 – August 31, 2008 |
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| Secretary General | |
| Preceded by | Sérgio Vieira de Mello |
| Succeeded by | Navi Pillay |
| Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada | |
| In office September 15, 1999 – July 28, 2004 |
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| Nominated by | Jean Chrétien |
| Preceded by | Peter Cory |
| Succeeded by | Rosalie Abella and Louise Charron |
| Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia | |
| In office October 1, 1996 – September 15, 1999 |
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| Secretary General |
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| Preceded by | Richard Goldstone |
| Succeeded by | Carla Del Ponte |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 10, 1947 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Domestic partner | Larry Taman (separated) |
| Children | 3 |
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Louise Arbour (born February 10, 1947) is a Canadian lawyer and judge. She is known for her important work in international law and human rights. She has been chosen to become Canada's 31st Governor General. This is a very important role in Canada.
Louise Arbour was born in Montreal. She served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She was also a judge on the Supreme Court of Canada. Before that, she was a chief prosecutor for international courts. These courts dealt with very serious international issues in places like the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. She led the International Crisis Group from 2009 to 2014. She was the first to bring charges against a leader of a country, Slobodan Milošević. This was for serious violations of international law. She also helped define certain serious acts against people as crimes against humanity. From 2017 to 2018, she worked for the United Nations on international migration. On May 5, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced her new role. She will succeed Mary Simon as Governor General.
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Early Life and Education
Louise Arbour grew up in Montreal, Quebec. Her parents owned a hotel business. She went to a convent school. There, she was the editor of the school magazine. She was known for being thoughtful and questioning things.
She finished high school at Collège Regina Assumpta in 1967. Then she studied law at the Université de Montréal. She earned her law degree with honors in 1970. She worked for a judge at the Supreme Court of Canada. This was while she continued her law studies at the University of Ottawa. Moving from Quebec to Ontario was a big challenge for her. All her schooling had been in French.
She became a lawyer in Quebec in 1971. Later, she also became a lawyer in Ontario in 1977.
Career Highlights
Legal Work in Canada
From 1972 to 1973, Ms. Arbour worked for the Law Commission of Canada. This group helps improve Canada's laws. She then taught law at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. She became a professor and later an associate dean. She also worked with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. This group protects people's rights.
In 1987, she became a judge on the Supreme Court of Ontario. In 1990, she joined the Court of Appeal for Ontario. In 1995, she led an investigation into events at a women's prison. This investigation looked into concerns raised by prisoners. Her findings were published in what is known as the Arbour Report.
On May 30, 2022, Ms. Arbour helped release another important report. This report looked into issues of fairness and respect within the Canadian military. It was also called the Arbour report.
International Justice at The Hague
In 1996, Louise Arbour took on a very important international role. She became the Chief Prosecutor for two special courts. These were the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. These courts were set up to deal with very serious international issues.
She was the first to bring charges against a country's leader, Slobodan Milošević. This showed that even leaders must follow international laws. She focused on ensuring justice for victims of these serious events.
Serving on Canada's Supreme Court
In 1999, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien chose Ms. Arbour for a top position. She became a judge on the Supreme Court of Canada. This is the highest court in Canada.
She served on the Supreme Court for almost five years. She retired from this role in 2004. As a judge, she wrote many important legal decisions.
United Nations and Other Roles
After her time on the Supreme Court, Ms. Arbour joined the United Nations. She became the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights. In this role, she worked to protect human rights around the world. She served for four years, stepping down in 2008.
From 2009 to 2014, she led the International Crisis Group. This organization works to prevent conflicts globally. Later, she returned to private law practice.
She was also part of other important groups. These included the Global Commission on Drug Policy and the International Commission Against the Death Penalty. These groups work on big global issues.
In 2017, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, chose her for a new role. She became his Special Representative for International Migration. She worked on challenges related to people moving between countries. She believed that working together on these issues was important.
In 2021, she was asked to lead another review for the Canadian military. This review looked into issues of fairness and respect within the armed forces. She presented her findings in May 2022.
Governor General of Canada
On May 5, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that King Charles III approved Ms. Arbour's appointment. She is designated to become Canada's 31st Governor General. She will succeed Mary Simon.
Once she is officially installed, she will have many important duties. She will become the chancellor of several Canadian honors. These include the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit. Louise Arbour is the oldest person chosen for this role in Canadian history.
Personal Life
At the University of Ottawa, she met Larry Taman. They had three children together: Emilie, Patrick, and Catherine. She also has three grandchildren.
Her daughter, Emilie Taman, is also a lawyer. She has been a candidate for the New Democratic Party in federal elections.
In the Media
Louise Arbour has written many articles and books about law. She has also worked as an editor for legal publications.
In 2016, Ms. Arbour took part in a Munk Debate. She argued that Western countries should accept many refugees. She debated alongside historian Simon Schama.
Awards and Recognition
In 2005, Ms. Arbour received the Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights. This was for her work with the international courts. A Canadian-German TV movie, Hunt for Justice, was made about her work in 2005.
In 2016, she won the Tang Prize in rule of law. This award recognized her work in international justice and human rights. Several schools are named after her, including Louise Arbour Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario.
She was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2007. This was for her contributions to justice and human rights worldwide. She also became a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec in 2009.
In 2011, she was made a Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. This is a high honor from France. She has also received many honorary degrees from universities.
In January 2023, Ms. Arbour received the Sandra Day O'Connor Justice Prize. This award celebrates her lifetime work in human rights and upholding the rule of law.
See also
- Reasons of the Supreme Court of Canada by Justice Arbour
- The Canadian made-for-TV movie Hunt for Justice (2005) is a docudrama account of Arbour's work as prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
