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Last week the School of Policy Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Science welcomed Bob Rae, Canada’s former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The 21st Premier of Ontario from October 1, 1990 to June 26, 1995, Rae visited the university and presented the Matthews Lecture, 1984 Was a Warning not a Guidepost: The World We’re In, to a capacity crowd.

Rae was introduced by School of Policy Studies Interim Director Eugene Lang, describing him as “the best Prime Minister Canada never had.”  

“Introducing Bob Rae is a daunting task, because his life and career are so enormous and so consequential,” Lang said. “Throughout his entire career, he’s been sought after by governments in Ottawa and in Queen’s Park for his intelligence, judgment, wisdom, sensitivity and advice.”

Rae then opened his lecture by discussing the state of the world using the written works of George Orwell, one of his favourite political thinkers. He covered a wide range of topics including tensions between Canada and the United States, Ukraine, the Middle East conflict and Afghanistan.

After his presentation, which was greeted by a standing ovation, Rae was named a Matthews Faculty Fellow in Global Public Policy by Interim Dean Bob Lemieux.

The Donald Matthews Lecture Series is supported by the Matthews Faculty Fellowship in Global Public Policy. Established by Donald Matthews (B.Sc. 1950) in 2006, this endowment supports the appointment of world-class, leading-edge scholars and practitioners to teach, lead research and share their experience with students and faculty at Queen’s University. It continues and honours the life-time commitment of Donald Matthews, a Canadian business leader, to public service.