York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton issues the following announcement:
I am delighted to share with you that Maureen Armstrong has been appointed Interim York University Ombudsperson.
Maureen Armstrong
Maureen will be familiar to the York community through her service as University Secretary and General Counsel from 2014 to 2019. In this role, she provided strategic and informed counsel to address a multitude of complex governance and legal matters. As a champion of equity and inclusion, Maureen played an important role in obtaining partial bilingual designation for Glendon Campus, creating York's Sexual Violence Policy and chairing our AODA Coordinating Committee.
Prior to her time at York, Maureen worked in the federal and provincial public services, holding senior positions at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Ontario, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
In addition to the day-to-day work of the ombudsperson, Maureen has a mandate to implement important reforms to the Office of the Ombudsperson to ensure it meets the needs of our community today and in the future.
Maureen is well known for her work in promoting a culture of service excellence at the University, and for her collegiality. It is my pleasure to welcome her back to York in this interim role.
At this time, I would also like to thank Professor Emeritus John D. McCamus, who has served as Ombudsperson for the University since March 2009. As Ombudsperson, John used his tremendous professionalism to provide more than a decade of invaluable service to our community.
John began his career as a professor at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1971, and served as dean at the school from 1982 to 1987. Prior to his time as Ombudsperson, he acted as Chair of Legal Aid Ontario and Chair of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Last fall, he was awarded the Justice Medal Award by the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice (CIAJ) for exceptional achievement by a person who has shown distinctive leadership in the administration of justice in Canada.
I would ask that you join me in thanking John for his outstanding service to York, and in welcoming Maureen back to the University and into her new role.
Sincerely,
Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
