Marie-Claude Landry, Ad. E.

Marie-Claude Landry, Ad. E. was appointed as Chief Commissioner and CEO of the Canadian Human Rights Commission in March 2015, a position she held until the end of November 2022, marking a new phase in a career defined by community involvement. Native of Mont-Joli, QC, she obtained her Bachelor of Law from the Université de Sherbrooke in 1988, and founded her own law firm located in Cowansville, QC in 1993 which she headed until 2015. She has more than 30 years of experience in the practice of law as well as solid experience on boards, committees, governance and organizational change in both the private and public sectors.

Ms. Landry’s desire to contribute to the well-being of her community has guided her towards many leadership positions, including President of the Centre de santé et de services sociaux La Pommeraie and President of the local Chamber of Commerce. She has worked to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of her community, in particular by providing support to the United Way of Haute-Yamaska, as well as Au Diapason, a regional centre for palliative care. Ms. Landry has also presided over the administrative body of the pediatric centre “Main dans la main,” inspired by the works of Dr. Gilles Julien.

In 2005, the newspaper La Voix de l’Est presented Ms. Landry with the “Voix de l’Excellence” award, and in 2008 she received the Leadership award from the Association québécoise d’établissements de santé et de services sociaux. In 2009 she was named an Emeritus Lawyer (Ad. E.) by the Barreau du Québec. In October 2015, she was awarded the Bedford Bar Merit and in recognition of her long-standing social involvement, the City of Cowansville made her its ambassador by presenting her with the keys to the city. That same year, she was also named Personality of the Year by the community of Brome-Missisquoi. In addition to her active law practice for more than 33 years, Ms. Landry has held numerous positions of distinction, including bâtonnière of the Barreau de Bedford, member of the Barreau du Québec general council, and first Independent chairperson of the Disciplinary Tribunal in Federal Prison Institutions for the Quebec Region.

In addition, Ms. Landry has served as a member of both the Inquiry Committee for the Canadian Judicial Council, and the Review Committee of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec on recommendation by the Office des professions du Québec. From 1991 to 2001, Ms. Landry was a member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

In recognition of her outstanding work, community outreach and engagement, Ms. Landry was awarded the distinction Avocat émérite from the Quebec Bar, in 2009. In September 2015 she received the Merit Award from the Barreau de Bedford for her leadership, her exceptional contribution to the community, her leadership in advocating for the recognition of regional institutions, as well as her career in defending public justice. In 2019, the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW Canada) presented her with a mention of recognition and ProBono Students Canada, Section-Sherbrooke created a permanent award “Prix Marie-Claude Landry pour l’accès à la justice” which is presented each year to the team that has distinguished themselves by their commitment.

Always mindful to place people at the heart of her actions, Ms. Landry is a passionate, committed, strategic and open leader who leads by example. She promotes an organizational culture in which respect, anti-racism, accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of her actions and in which people are valued and empowered.