August 14, 2025 (Edmonton, AB) – Daniel Jutras, the Rector of the Université de Montréal, has been voted as the incoming chair of the board at U15 Canada at its annual general meeting being held at the University of Alberta. His term as chair will commence on September 1, 2025.
“Our group believes firmly in the innovative power of research and the central role academics play in developing our society for the benefit of all Canadians. I am deeply honoured that my colleagues have placed their trust in me to chair U15 Canada, and I look forward to working with political, social and scientific stakeholders to unleash the full transformative potential of our nation’s top universities” said Mr. Jutras.
“On behalf of Canada’s leading research universities, we are thrilled to have Daniel Jutras’ leadership at this vital moment for the country. There is an opportunity to realize the potential of our universities to contribute to a stronger and more resilient Canada, in productivity, innovation and long-term economic growth. We are ready to work with the new government in these uncertain times and ensure that research-intensive universities are at the table with the solutions all Canadians need”, added Robert Asselin, CEO of U15 Canada.
Daniel Jutras replaces Dr. Peter Stoicheff, President of the University of Saskatchewan, who has served as chair since 2022. During his term, U15 Canada helped to successfully advocate for crucial investments in research funding through Budget 2024, promoted renewed support for major research infrastructure including the Canadian Light Source and Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization and deepened international partnerships to ensure Canada realizes the opportunities of participation in Horizon Europe.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Stoicheff for his dedicated leadership of U15 Canada over the last three years and to wish him all the best as his term at the University of Saskatchewan comes to an end”, added Asselin.
Biography of Daniel Jutras
With degrees in law from Université de Montréal and Harvard University, Daniel Jutras has been UdeM’s rector since June 1, 2020. A specialist in civil and comparative law, his expertise is internationally recognized, the result of a long career devoted to the study of contract law and civil liability, class actions and judicial institutions. As a seasoned teacher and an early player in the integration of a comparative and pluralist perspective in the teaching of law, Mr. Jutras has played a leading role in the transformation of legal education programs in Quebec and elsewhere in the world.
In addition to his academic activities, Daniel Jutras has contributed to Canadian public and political life as an ethics consultant to the Canadian Judicial Council, as a member of the independent advisory committee on Senate appointments and as a member of the independent advisory committee on the appointment of the Governor General of Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada has appointed him as amicus curiae in two of the most important constitutional cases of the last decade. Between 2002 and 2004, Daniel Jutras was also senior counsel to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, the Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin.
Today, he is a member of numerous boards of directors in the university sphere and in civil society organizations such as the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, the Canadian Research Knowledge Network, the Interuniversity Cooperation Office and the U7+ international university network.
At the time of his appointment as UdeM rector, Daniel Jutras held the Wainwright Chair in Civil Law of McGill University’s faculty of law. At the same faculty, between 1985 and 2020, he was in turn vice-dean, director of the Institute of Comparative Law and finally dean, from 2009 to 2016.
His contributions to academic life, Canadian political life and educational innovation have been recognized by his appointment as an officer of the Order of Canada. As a McGill professor, he received an award for excellence in teaching. He was also awarded the Médaille du Barreau du Québec in 1983, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013, the distinction of Advocatus emeritus of the Quebec Bar in 2014 and the Mérite du Barreau du Québec in
2016. In 1982, upon completion of his studies at the UdeM, Daniel Jutras proudly received the Academic Medal of the Governor General of Canada.
About U15 Canada
U15 Canada is an association of fifteen leading research universities across Canada. U15 Canada works to optimize research and innovation policies and programs that advance knowledge, develop highly-qualified leaders for all sectors, and mobilize knowledge for the benefit of all Canadians. In this way, U15 Canada seeks to help Canadian universities make a prosperous, sustainable and just future for all.
For further information, please contact:
James Hammond, Director of Public Affairs
james.hammond@u15.ca
613-715-4764
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