David passed peacefully at Victoria BC on October 11, 2022, with his wife, Karen Jensen, and one of his sons, Robert, at his side.
Born on February 25, 1940, in Campbellton NB and raised in Montreal QC, David was predeceased by his parents, Edwin Flaherty and Mary (Harquail) Flaherty. He was also predeceased by his brother, Hon. Jim Flaherty PC, and brother Ted. He is survived by his wife, Karen, sons Sean (Ann), Michael (Shauna) and Robert (Christine), stepchildren Jake and Alex, grandchildren Nicole, Nina, Sam, Caleb and Jack, and his sisters and brothers Ann, Gerry, Patrick, Norah and Mary.
Having received the gold medal in history at McGill University, David received his doctorate in history from Columbia University. He went on to teach American history at Princeton University and the University of Virginia before returning to Canada, to what was then the University of Western Ontario, where he was appointed in the law and history faculties. Building on his early scholarship, David broke new ground in privacy law and policy, publishing influential papers and texts on topics such as privacy in modern surveillance societies. He was known internationally for his academic and policy work on privacy and is remembered as a major contributor to the establishment of Canadian legal history scholarship.
In 1993, the British Columbia Legislature appointed David as the province’s first Information and Privacy Commissioner. He established the office from scratch, quickly building it into an internationally respected regulatory body in both freedom of information and privacy. After his distinguished service in that role, David established a busy consultancy, wisely helping governments, public institutions and businesses across Canada navigate their legal obligations while doing the right thing. Along the way, David was a mentor and confidante to many, generously offering wise counsel over the years.
During his nearly thirty years in Victoria, David devoted thousands of hours to the community. He was a long-time board member and president of, and donor to, Pacific Opera Victoria and was a generous donor to many other arts and community organizations, including the Victoria Symphony and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. His charitable contributions also benefit many other organizations, including the Garth Homer Society and the BC Cancer Foundation.
His many contributions as a scholar, teacher, policymaker, regulator and community volunteer were justly recognized by an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Victoria in 2018 and Royal Roads University’s Chancellor’s Community Recognition Award in 2015.
David will be sorely missed by his family and his wide circle of friends and former colleagues around the world, all of whom knew him as an intelligent, wise, kind and generous man.
A private commemoration has been held and a celebration of life will be held later.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
22 Responses
My deepest condolences to all of his loved ones upon my recent hearing of David’s passing.I first met David as a new lawyer coming to the City of Victoria in the early 90’s while he was then BC’s Privacy Commissioner.I appreciated his sage advice on a couple of issues involving the legislation and the City of Victoria ,where I then worked. We subsequently developed a professional as well as personal friendship.He was truly a renaissance man.One always enjoyed being in David’s company. Conversation never lagged!!!There are only a few people you meet in your life that one can truly say had a real impact on you—David was such an individual as far as I am concerned.He is missed!!
“More people should know about this!” David exclaimed when on an impact bus tour a few years ago. He embodied the word “philanthropist” and the community has lost a long-time champion and passionate speaker, host of house gatherings featuring his beloved chef Tak Ito. Karen and family, our hearts are with you across the charitable sector.
I just learned the very sad news about David’s death and want to express my sincerest condolences to all the Flaherty family. I was David’s counsel during his first years as Information and Privacy Commissioner. Working with David was always an interesting intellectual exercise and we remained friends for many years. His contributions to this field were vast and he will be greatly missed.
Justice Barbara Fisher
Our deepest condolences
to Karen and family We were shocked to find out about his passing when visiting his favorite restaurant which he loved so much. We have fond memories of him at the Chaine dinners. Our Mexican friend Maria also passes along her condolences.The world has benefited from David’ s sage advice
Tony and Nushin Nadolski
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and mentor David. He was very important to me in so many ways, not least of which was his unending emotional support through my career. Our luncheons were fascinating and rewarding. Were those get togethers not interrupted by covid we would have had many more. I can’t have a noontime bite without thinking of him and will miss his great wisdom and humour forevermore. Thank you David for so much.
I was David’s travel agent for several years. He was a lovely man; incredibly interesting with a great dry wit.
My deepest sympathy on your loss.
Janet Illingworth
Our condolences to Karen, and all of David’s family. He will be missed by many.
He was a great person, and it was a pleasure to work with him on his property over the years.
His appreciation for the arts ran deep. He will be remembered for a very long time.
Sean and Michael Greenfield, and Janice Martinez.
I first met David around 1987 when, as a prospective doctoral student at Western in London, Ontario, I attended his legal history workshop. It began our 30 + year friendship and collaboration. Throughout he was my mentor, friend, and colleague. There is really no way to measure the depth of his influence on my career and, indeed, my life. Over these years we always kept in contact and throughout he remained a steadfast supporter and indeed, cheerleader. That Karen has become very much a similar friend and advisor has proven to be an unanticipated pleasure and to say I am pleased they found each hardly tells the tale. And in these more recent months, she has been an unflinching warrior at his side. I wish them and all the boys, my very best.
What an accomplished and well-rounded person David was, in addition to his philanthropy: such an interesting biography in the Times Colonist.
Karen, I remember you phoned me on the morning of your wedding, only 15 short months ago. I can’t imagine how your world has been upended so soon. How very sad for you and the family. David will be missed by so many.
Christine Seaville
Dear Karen, My heart goes out to you and your family. Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of your David who was such an amazing inspiration to all of us, the Opera Family. I am so glad I had the pleasure of knowing him and witnessing his generosity and profound sense of humour. May he rest in peace. Much love, Barbara