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Charlottetown, P.E. (January 20, 2026) — The Confederation Centre is pleased to announce that the Honourable Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella, CC, FRSC is the winner of the 2026 Symons Meal, one of Canada’s most prestigious honours recognizing an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to Canadian life.
Justice Abella will receive the Symons Medal on September 25, 2026, at 1 p.m., during a public ceremony at the Sobey Family Theatre in Charlottetown. She will also deliver the annual Symons Lecture, reflecting on the current state and future of Canadian Confederation. “Justice Abella’s work in human rights, employment equity and elimination of discrimination has ensured Canadian employment law is built on just principles for all,” says Centre CEO Steve Bellamy.
Born on Canada Day (July 1, 1946) in Stuttgart, Germany, in a displaced persons camp, The Honourable Rosalie Abella immigrated to Canada as a child and went on to become one of the country’s most influential jurists and public thinkers. Over a remarkable career she became the youngest person appointed as a judge in Canada and helped redefine the role of women in judicial leadership.
Justice Abella served on the Supreme Court of Canada from 2004 to 2021, becoming the Court’s first Jewish woman and first former refugee. Her career also included senior appointments in Ontario’s Family Court and Court of Appeal.
Justice Abella’s influence extends far beyond the bench. A leading advocate for employment equity and equality rights, her work has shaped Canadian law on issues including same-sex survivor benefits and human rights protections. Her contributions have been recognized nationally, including with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada since 1997, Justice Abella is often compared to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for her lasting influence on equality rights and constitutional law.
Bob Sear and Ralph Heitzman, Co-Chairs of the Symons Medal Committee, said the decision to honour The Honourable Rosalie Abella was unanimous. “The Symons Medal Committee was unanimous in its support of Justice Rosalie Abella as the 2026 Symons Medal recipient. She has established that we must be able to see the world from the perspective of the marginalized and cannot be indifferent to the treatment of others. We look forward to her comments on the current state and prospects of Canadian Confederation when she receives the award this Fall.”
Justice Abella was recently appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, the Order’s highest rank. The Confederation Centre of the Arts is honoured to recognize her as the 2026 Symons Medallist. Ticket details for the Symons Medal Presentation and Lecture will be released in August.
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About the Symons Medal Presentation and Lecture:
Established in 2004, the Symons Medal is named in honour of Thomas H.B. Symons, a founding father of the Canadian Studies movement and a passionate advocate for Canadian Confederation. Past medallists include some of the country’s most respected thinkers, writers, and public figures, each invited to engage Canadians in thoughtful dialogue about the nation’s past, present, and future.
Additional details about tickets and live-streaming options will be announced closer to the event. The Symons Medal Presentation and Lecture is free and open to the public thanks to the support of the Symons Trust Endowment Fund. Please consider donating to the fund.
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Jillian O’Halloran | Manager, Communications & Community Engagement
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