George Myette Receives the 2019 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award

Ottawa, November 26, 2019 – Today, Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator of Canada, is very pleased to announce that Mr. George Myette is the 2019 recipient of the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award.

“Nationally recognized as a tireless leader, mentor, and advocate for social justice, Mr. Myette has dedicated nearly half a century to defending the rights of prisoners, advancing progressive policy and legislation, and providing direct support to justice-involved individuals seeking to reintegrate back into society,” said Dr. Zinger. “In his various leadership roles, George is known for his collaborative style and ability to strike partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders involved in Canadian corrections.”

After overcoming his own personal struggles with the criminal justice system early in his life, Mr. Myette graduated from Mount Royal College in 1975 with a Diploma in Criminal Justice and helped to establish the Alberta Seventh Step Society as an agency with halfway houses in Calgary and Edmonton. He then built a successful career in the corporate sector until his retirement in 2015. During this time, he continued to give back to his community. Mr. Myette volunteered as a provincial director for the Alberta Seventh Step Society from 1974 to 1982 and again from 1995 to 2010. He has sat on the National 7th Step board since 1998 and became its National Executive Director (Volunteer) in 2002. He has also served several terms on the executive of the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice (NAACJ). As an Indigenous Métis man, Mr. Myette’s unique insights and lived experience make him a powerful advocate for criminal and social justice reform.

The Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award was established in honour of Mr. Ed McIsaac, who served as Executive Director of the Office of the Correctional Investigator for 18 years. Each recipient of the award receives a reproduction of a sculpture by Ms. Audrey Greyeyes, a Cree artist from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, entitled Medicine Man. It symbolizes wisdom, clarity of thought, and leadership, traits reflecting Mr. McIsaac’s character and career.

The ceremony will take place this afternoon in Ottawa, Ontario. Presented annually since 2009, there have been 10 other recipients of the award.

Details on nomination procedures for the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award are available on the Office’s website at http://www.oci-bec.gc.ca/cnt/award-prix/nom-eng.aspx.

For more information contact:

Marie-France Kingsley
Executive Director
Office of the Correctional Investigator
Tel: (613) 990-2690
Marie-France.Kingsley@OCI-BEC.GC.CA

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