uOttawa News

OTTAWA, December 2, 2015  —  The University of Ottawa is proud to announce that Jacques Frémont, LLB, LLM, will become the 30^th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. His appointment is effective July 1, 2016.

After a comprehensive search process, including extensive consultations with the university community, the Board of Governors selected by unanimous vote, Mr. Frémont, a lawyer and president of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, (Quebec’s human rights commission) to succeed Allan Rock, who has served as President and Vice-Chancellor of uOttawa since 2008. 

An emeritus professor of the University of Montreal, Mr. Frémont has held many positions throughout his 30-year career, including Director of the Public Law Research Centre, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Vice-Rector, International and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, before being appointed Provost and Vice-Rector, Academic Affairs.

“As an experienced leader and academic, Jacques Frémont will unite our community and help us write the next chapter in the history of the University of Ottawa,” said Robert Giroux, Chair of the Board of Governors and Chair of the Selection Committee.

“The University of Ottawa is renowned in Ontario, throughout Canada and around the world for its excellence in teaching and research and I look forward to joining such a powerhouse of knowledge,” said President Designate Mr. Frémont. “This University has a rich history of merging both Francophone and Anglophone cultures. Preserving and developing French culture in Ontario and furthering bilingualism and biculturalism are at the heart of its mission. I will make every effort to ensure all students, faculty, employees and alumni are proud of their university.”

Mr. Frémont received a bachelor’s degree in law from Laval University in 1976 before earning a Master of Laws (LLM) from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, in 1977.  In 1978, following a clerkship at the Supreme Court of Canada, he was called to the Bar (Barreau du Québec). In 2012, he earned International Leaders Program certification through INSEAD.

A specialist in constitutional law, Mr. Frémont has spent most of his career in faculty and university management, where he gained an in-depth knowledge of university environment and operations, and a unique understanding of higher education internationally. He has authored several books and contributed to more than 60 papers, journal articles and volumes on constitutional and public law.

Mr. Rock said Mr. Frémont’s nomination will enable uOttawa to pursue its strategic mission and continue to strive for excellence: “Throughout his career, Mr. Fremont has been an advocate for the advancement of higher education and his knowledge and experience will benefit not only to our University but also our entire community. He is an internationally renowned expert on human rights, good governance and democracy and what better place to put his talent to work than here at the heart of the national capital.”

He left the University of Montreal to direct the International Higher Education Support Program of the Open Society Foundations in New York from 2011 to 2013. As director, he coordinated the foundation’s support to higher education around the world.

In 2013, Mr. Frémont was appointed president of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse after a unanimous vote of Quebec’s National Assembly.

For more information, please read his biography.


Media inquiries:

Danika Gagnon
Media Relations Officer
Office: 613-562-5800 ext. 2981
Cell: 613-863-7221
danika.gagnon@uOttawa