Equitas mourns the loss of a great human rights defender

February 17, 2015

Equitas was saddened to learn of the passing on February 9, 2015 of Max Yalden. Max was a member of Equitas’ Honorary Board and the father of Equitas’ Past-President Rob Yalden. Max Yalden was a distinguished Canadian who made many important contributions to human rights in Canada and abroad. He was the second Commissioner of Official Languages (Canada) from 1977 to 1984. He served as Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission from 1987 to 1996, then as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee from 1996 to 2004. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1988 and was promoted to Companion in 1999. His career and his dedication are an inspiration for the younger generation of human rights educators and defenders. We wish to extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.