Arthur Hilliker, a dedicated activist with the York University Faculty Association (YUFA) and former Director of the CAUT Defence Fund, died on January 9. He was widely respected for his union leadership, mentorship and commitment to strengthening research and teaching across campus.
Hilliker served multiple terms as YUFA president, from 2003 to 2014 and again from 2020 to 2024, and held the role of recording secretary from 2001 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020.
He joined York University in 2000 as Chair of the Department of Biology after many years at the University of Guelph. While at Guelph, he established an independent academic program in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and served as its Chair from 1990 to 1995.
Hilliker earned his PhD from the University of British Columbia in 1975. His research drew early national recognition: the Genetics Society of Canada awarded him its Young Scientist Award in 1987. In 2005, the Society honoured him again with the William F. Grant and Peter B. Moens Award of Excellence, celebrating his lifetime contributions to Canadian genetics.
