Ronald F. Caza, an Ottawa-based lawyer, was awarded the key to the city by Mayor Jim Watson at a ceremony at the city hall on Tuesday.
Ronald F. Caza, an Ottawa-based lawyer, was awarded the key to the city by Mayor Jim Watson at a ceremony at the city hall on Tuesday.
The city’s most prestigious award recognizes Caza’s illustrious and distinguished legal career and his dedication to Ottawa’s francophone community, a statement from the city government said.
Caza was born in Chelmsford, Ont. and later relocated to study law at the University of Ottawa. Throughout his legal career, he worked at various firms in the city before establishing his own boutique law firm, Caza Saikaley LLP.
Among the numerous language rights cases Caza handled, the most remarkable one was Lalonde v. Ontario, where he was able to help stop the closing of the Montfort Hospital. According to the city government, the landmark win brought Ottawa’s francophone community together and kept Ontario’s only French-language teaching hospital open.
In 2017, Caza was awarded the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, for his advocacy work for francophone culture and language rights.
Outside of the legal profession, Caza is very active in other Ottawa community pursuits. He has chaired the boards of directors of several non-profit organizations, including United Way Ottawa, the Regroupement des gens d’affaires de la capitale nationale and Écho d’un peuple. Currently, he is chairman of the boards of directors of the Montfort Foundation, Unique FM and the Dominican University College. He also helped raise millions of dollars for the Shenkman Arts Centre and Project STEP.
“Ronald Caza has been a strong voice for Ottawa his entire career,” said Watson. “While he is remembered most for his work to save the Montfort Hospital and his commitment to our francophone community, he has done so much more for the city. From volunteer work to fundraising, Mr. Caza has always strived to make Ottawa a better place for all residents.”
