Born: 1917, Montreal, Quebec
Died: 2005, Montreal, Quebec
Upon graduating BBHS, Alan Gold received a Bachelor degree from Queen’s University, and then a law degree from Université de Montréal. Gold was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1942.
Gold served with the Royal Canadian Artillery during the Second World War and upon his return to Montreal, began his legal career. As an arbitrator, in 1968, he successfully helped negotiations advance with the workers at the port of Montreal, avoiding what would have been a large and costly strike. Five years later, he mediated a strike by 56,000 rail workers, as well as in 1981 and 1991 helped settle two national postal strikes.
In 1970, Gold was named the Chief Judge of the Court of Quebec. He was chief arbitrator between the Quebec Government and its public service employees for 17 years and served as mediator and arbitrator in disputes concerning the ports, railways, airlines, Royal Mint, foreign service and many businesses. In 1983 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Quebec Superior Court where he remained until 1992.
In 1990 when the Oka Standoff broke out between the Mohawk people and the Canadian Government, Gold succeeded in settling negotiations between the two groups, and his excellent mediating skills were acknowledged by both parties .
Upon his retirement as Chief Justice of the Superior Court, he became counsel at the Montreal Law firm, Davies, Ward, Phillips and Vineberg, where he was involved in several high profile cases.
Gold served as Chancellor of Concordia University, Associate Governor of University of Montreal and Chair of the Board at McGill University.
Gold was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1995 and named member of the Académie des Grands Montréalais in 1997. In 1985, he was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec.
The Alan B. Gold scholarship fund, for the law faculty at the University of Montreal, is described as a tribute to the brilliant career of a remarkable man and honorable gentleman.