Guthrie Award

The Law Foundation of Ontario's Guthrie Award recognizes outstanding individuals for their contributions to access to justice.
About

The Law Foundation of Ontario created the Guthrie Award in 1996 to honour H. Donald Guthrie who served as a Foundation trustee for 21 years, including 13 years as Chair. The Guthrie Award recognizes outstanding individuals for their contributions to access to justice for the people of Ontario.

A Guthrie Award recipient joins the legacy of the Guthrie Award and becomes a member of an esteemed group recognized for their achievements in improving access to justice. Past recipients have come from many directions – the judiciary, private bar, community legal clinics, and nonprofit organizations. They saw a chance to make a difference and took it.

Guthrie Award recipients have:

  • Built bridges between youth and the justice system
  • Advanced justice for Indigenous peoples
  • Strengthened the community clinic system to assist people with low-incomes
  • Launched the country’s first law-and-justice themed high school program
  • Helped to understand and address the consequences and causes of violence against women
  • Contributed to legal education in Ontario
  • Advocated for freedom of speech and expression
  • Modernized the running of law libraries
  • Provided hands-on poverty law experience to law students
  • Strengthened legal protections of people with disabilities
  • Promoted a more just and humane immigration system
Nomination process
Reception event
Guthrie Award Medal

Guthrie Award recipients

Francisco Rico-Martínez Guthrie Award celebration

January 4, 2024
Linda Rothstein presenting Loly Rico with the round, copper Guthrie Award medal. Linda in a dark blue suit and Loly in a bright red dress, both smiling.

We gathered December 6, 2023 to recognize Francisco Rico-Martínez as the posthumous recipient of the 2023 Guthrie Award.

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Francisco Rico-Martínez receives 2023 Guthrie Award

October 30, 2023
Man with white hair and a full moustache and beard, smiling softly. He is wearing a light pink dress shirt and beige suit jacket.

The Law Foundation of Ontario is pleased to announce that the 2023 Guthrie Award recipient is refugee rights champion, Francisco Rico-Martínez.

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Roberto Lattanzio Guthrie Award celebration

December 17, 2022
Woman and man standing beside each other, man holding award

We gathered on December 8, 2022 to present Roberto (Robert) Lattanzio with the Guthrie Award, The Law Foundation of Ontario’s signature award to recognize exceptional access to justice champions.

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Roberto Lattanzio receives 2022 Guthrie Award

September 28, 2022
Man with brown hair and beard smiling softly into camera, wearing white dress shirt and grey suit jacket

The Law Foundation of Ontario is pleased to announce that the 2022 Guthrie Award recipient is disability rights advocate, Roberto Lattanzio.

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Elders’ Council recieves 2020 Guthrie Award recipient

February 5, 2021
The Guthrie Medal

The Law Foundation of Ontario is pleased to announce that the 2020 Guthrie Award recipient is the Elders’ Council.

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Pamela Cross receives 2019 Guthrie Award

September 11, 2019
Pamela Cross

The Law Foundation of Ontario is pleased to announce that the 2019 Guthrie Award recipient is women’s rights advocate, Pamela Cross.

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Mary Birdsell receives 2018 Guthrie Award

October 1, 2018
Mary Birdsell

The Law Foundation of Ontario is pleased to announce that the 2018 Guthrie Award recipient is children’s rights advocate, Mary Birdsell.

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Reem Bahdi receives 2017 Guthrie Award

August 1, 2017
Professor Reem Bahdi

The Law Foundation of Ontario is pleased to announce that the 2017 Guthrie Award recipient is author, researcher, and human rights expert Professor Reem Bahdi.

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Julie Mathews receives 2015 Guthrie Award

November 2, 2015
Julie Mathews

The Law Foundation of Ontario is pleased to announce that the 2015 Guthrie Award recipient is CLEO Executive Director Julie Mathews.

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