The Honourable Sarabjit (Sabi) Marwah
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
Faculty of Business and Information Technology
Faculty of Science
For his distinguished career as a Canadian banking executive, his leadership of non-profit organizations, and his championship of social inclusion in all arenas, the university is proud to confer upon the Honourable Sarabjit ‘Sabi’ Marwah the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
Born in Asansol, India, Senator Marwah was the Vice-Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) from 2008 until his retirement in 2014. During his 35-year career with Scotiabank, he had an extraordinary impact on the success and character of the bank through his dedication to excellence, his personal approach and his penchant for incorporating gentle humour in his management style.
In 2016 Governor General David Johnston appointed him to the Senate of Canada on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Senator Marwah serves on the boards of The Hospital for Sick Children (Vice-Chair), Toronto International Film Festival, Cineplex, TELUS Corporation and George Weston Limited. He previously was a member of the boards of the C.D. Howe Institute, Torstar Corporation and was Chair of the Humber River Regional Hospital. He was a member of the 2008 and 2009 United Way Campaign Cabinets and is a founding member of the Sikh Foundation of Canada.
Senator Marwah earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics from the University of Calcutta in India, and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Delhi. He later received a Master in Business Administration in Finance from the University of California, Los Angeles.
For his contributions to Canada, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario in 2012.
Senator Marwah is an exemplary model of everything we, as a young university thriving on innovation, encourage our graduates to be.
