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TORONTO – The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is pleased to announce that Bronwyn Eyre will be the recipient of the inaugural Cartier-Macdonald Award, to be presented at the historic Albany Club in Toronto on March 5, 2026. The new award recognizes Canadians who have shown exceptional leadership in advancing the principles of freedom.

Ms. Eyre, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Saskatchewan, has been a prominent national voice on the proper balance between legislatures and courts within Canada’s constitutional framework. She has played a central role in defending the authority of elected legislatures, including lawful use of the notwithstanding clause.

Beyond her work as Attorney General, Ms. Eyre has held senior cabinet roles including Minister of Education, Minister of Advanced Education, and Minister of Energy and Resources. In addition to public office, her background includes radio broadcasting, news and legal commentary, university lecturing, and service as a school board trustee.

Joanna Baron, Executive Director of the CCF, said the new award recognizes that freedom depends on leaders willing to defend it.

“The Cartier-Macdonald Award was established to honour Canadians who stand up for the principles of the Constitution when it matters most,” Baron said. “Bronwyn Eyre has shown both intellectual rigor and personal courage in defending democratic self-government and parliamentary supremacy, precisely the kind of commitment this award is meant to recognize.”

The Cartier–Macdonald Award is named in honour of Fathers of Confederation Georges-Étienne Cartier and Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, whose partnership was foundational to Canadian Confederation and the development of Canada’s constitutional order. They symbolize the legal and political vision that underpins Canada’s commitment to federalism, civil liberties, and the rule of law—values this award seeks to recognize and uphold. The Award and Reception will serve as the annual CCF gathering, uniting supporters, donors, and trailblazers committed to freedom and strengthening the connections that sustain the CCF’s work.

“I am beyond honoured to receive this inaugural award associated with Georges-Étienne Cartier and our first, great Prime Minister, John A. Macdonald,” said Eyre. “Now more than ever, leaders must be boldly outspoken in their defence of our country’s legal and constitutional principles.”

The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is a registered charity, independent and non-partisan. We defend the constitutional rights and freedoms of Canadians in the courts of law and public opinion.