Saul Hayes, OC QC (May 28, 1906 – January 12, 1980) was a Canadian lawyer and public servant in the Canadian Jewish community.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Hayes studied at McGill University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1927, a Master of Arts degree in 1928, and a Bachelor of Civil Law degree in 1932. He was called to the Quebec Bar in 1932 and was created a King's Counsel in 1940. He was a lecturer at the School of Social Work at McGill University.^[1]

Hayes practiced law until being appointed national Executive Director of the Canadian Jewish Congress in 1940, a post he would hold until 1959. From 1959 to 1974, he was national executive vice-president. He was also executive director of the United Jewish Relief Agencies of Canada from 1938 to 1942.^[1] He had spearheaded the community's effort to have immigration restrictions relaxed during and after World War II and served on a myriad of committees, especially those devoted to human rights.

Hayes was a representative to the United Jewry Delegations, Second Conference of UNRRA in 1944, the San Francisco Conference on International Security in 1945, and the Paris Conference on Peace Treaties in 1946.^[2]

Hayes was one of the leading voices of the Canadian Jewish community in Canada and the world. He played an important a role in explaining the needs of the Jewish community.^[3] He remained active with CJC until his death in Sainte-Adèle, Quebec in 1980.

Honours

Hayes was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal in 1953 and the Canadian Centennial Medal in 1967.^[1] In 1973, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada "for his dedicated work in the betterment of human relations".^[4] He received honorary degrees from Sir George Williams University, which later became Concordia University, in 1970^[5] and from McGill University in 1974.^[1]

References