A lifetime of academic devotion and advocacy for disability rights in Canada has earned a University of Victoria (UVic) professor a place in the Order of Canada.

Michael J. Prince arrived in Victoria in 1987 when he became the inaugural Lansdowne chair in social policy. Since then he has taught classes, researched and written about social and public policy in Canada. Today he is the acting dean at the Faculty of Human and Social Development. Prince has tackled many topics in his work, from housing to poverty. But his work advocating for disability rights was significant in his selection to the order. 

鈥淚鈥檓 glad I was sitting down because it just knocked me over. I was quite touched, quite moved by it. So it was unexpected and deeply humbling,鈥� said Prince. 

Suffice it to say the award was a shock, and his humility showed even in his reaction to the phone call.  

鈥淚 thought 'Oh I know someone's probably being nominated for something and I鈥檝e been listed as a reference and somebody wants to ask me about someone else.鈥� I didn鈥檛 think it was for me.鈥�   

But the recognition was less shocking to those who know him. 

鈥淥ccasionally, God bless them, my wife and two daughters would say 鈥極h, this is something that you should get,鈥� said Prince.  

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think anyone who gets this does their work thinking, 鈥業鈥檒l get this one day'.鈥� 

His work in disability advocacy follows a long career of involvement in social justice issues. The experience led to his invitation to join the boards of various organizations focused on a variety of social justice issues. A background in public administration and political science made Prince very good at helping organizations get media attention, work with public servants and navigate the bureaucratic systems of government. But the values that led him to social justice were instilled long before any of that.  

鈥淚 would credit my parents instilling in me many years ago, a belief in the importance of fairness and social justice, and an interest in politics and policy change,鈥� said Prince. 鈥淚t gave me a great sense of purpose.鈥� 

The work he does at UVic is never the end for Prince, and a commitment to social justice is not just a priority in his professional life.  

鈥淚 got this from my family, an ethos of service in giving back to community, whatever that community may be that you find a connection to,鈥� he said.  

鈥淚t sounds corny, but you get so much back from that.鈥�  

After 37 years at UVic and an induction into the Order of Canada, Prince encountered some online speculation that he might stop working following the honour. He assures that he is not done yet.  

鈥淭hey said 鈥楪eez, we hope you continue to work with us, now that you got the big prize. Are you going to stop?鈥� I said no, no, no,鈥� said Prince. 

鈥淭here continue to be barriers that people face and inequalities, there's always going to be work around social justice. So count me in.鈥�  

He described his life and work as a 鈥渧irtuous circle鈥� wherein his work as an academic informs his work as an advocate, while his work as an advocate helps to make him a better teacher and researcher. It鈥檚 not something he could have done alone, as he credits UVic for playing an important role in his success, particularly the Faculty of Human and Social Development.  

鈥淚t's very grounded in training people in the next generations of professionals and the areas of social services, family support and health care and wellness,鈥� said Prince.  

鈥淚鈥檝e never worked in what I believe is an ivory tower.鈥�  

While he is grateful and deeply humbled by the award, he hopes his reception may be able to benefit others as well.  

鈥淚 hope it put more attention on the issues around disability rights, and the issues of poverty that still confront over a million and a half Canadians living with disabilities right now in Canada,鈥� Prince said.  

鈥淢any other people have been working on this for a long time and continue to do so. This is some nice recognition that this is significant work, and we need to all continue to do it.鈥�