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Description area
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History
Brian Flemming was born 19 February 1939 to Everett F. J. Flemming and Margaret Meagher. He received a B.Sc. from St. Mary’s University (1959), a LL.B. from Dalhousie University (1962), a LL.M. in Public International Law from University of London, England (1964), and the Hague Diploma in International Law (1964).
Flemming has led a multifaceted career as a lawyer, educator, and author. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s he lectured at Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s universities on the law of international institutions, the law of the sea, and commercial law. He also served as a consultant in international law to U.S. Naval War College from 1968 to 1971, was a senior partner of Stewart, MacKeen & Covert, Halifax, and was made a Queen’s Counsel in 1978.
In the 1970s Flemming became more involved with government. He became an advisor to the Department of External Affairs and the Department of the Environment in 1972 on the subject of marine and environmental conferences. He also served as Principal Secretary and Policy Advisor to Prime Minster Trudeau between 1976 and 1979. In 1974 and again in 1979, Flemming entered the federal elections as a Liberal, losing the 1979 election by a mere fifteen votes. More recently, he served as chairman for the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel in 2000.
In addition to these activities, Flemming has been active in business, publishing, and in various other organizations. He has held directorships at Noranda Inc., VGM Capital, and Brunswick Mining; written a substantial volume of literature related to the law of the sea and international law, as well as article and book reviews; was a member of the executive committee and ultimately the chairman of the Canada Council (1972-1975); and he served as a director of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He has also been involved with artistic organizations such as the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Neptune Theatre, and the Maritime Conservatory of Music among others.
A recognized community leader, Flemming was awarded the Order of Canada in 1989 for his contributions to law and his volunteer community activities. He also received a honourary doctorate from the University of King’s College in 1991.
Brian Flemming currently resides in Halifax and writes weekly columns for the Halifax Daily News and AOL Canada.