Biography

Mr. Michel W. Drapeau (colonel, 1984-1993) practices in all areas of administrative law, in particular, access to information and privacy law, human rights law, employment law (grievances, workplace harassment), security and military law as well as civil litigation. He has appeared before the Federal Court of Appeal, the Court Martial Appeal Court, the Federal Court, the Ontario Superior Court and a host of administrative tribunals.

Col. Drapeau lectures on Access to Information and Privacy Law (Common Law Section - French), Canadian Military Law (Common Law Section - English) and, on Administrative Law - Commissions of Inquiries (Section de Droit civil - French)at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ottawa. Col. Drapeau has also lectured on public law before several audiences, including members of the Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba Bars. In recognition of his research, teaching and professional publications, in May 2009, the Board of Governors, University of Ottawa has appointed Michel W. Drapeau as Professor Adjunct, Common Law Section, Faculty of Law. Professor Drapeau serves on the Board of Governors, Royal Military College, Saint-Jean.

Col. Drapeau has gained a national profile as a media analyst and columnist on defence and military affairs. Col. Drapeau has been called upon to testify before Canadian parliamentary committees (access to information) (military law). He has been invited to address various professional, academic and industry bodies on a wide range of military law and access to information law topics.

Prior to joining the legal profession, Col. Drapeau served 34 years in the Canadian military, retiring in 1993 as Director, National Defence Headquarters Secretariat as well as Secretary, Armed Forces Council.

He is a graduate of the CF Command and Staff College (Toronto); the U.S. Armed Forces Staff College, U.S. National Defence University (Norfolk, Virginia); the U.S. Army Military Comptrollership School (Indianapolis); and, the National Defence College (Kingston Ontario).

In 1984, Col. Drapeau was seconded to the then Department of Secretary of State to act as Deputy Coordinator, Royal Visit by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Upon retirement from the Canadian Forces, Col. Drapeau accepted a two-year appointment at the executive level within the Federal Public Service. Reporting to the then Deputy Minister and the Chief of the Defence Staff, he served as Acting Director General Corporate Management Services.