Governor General Mary Simon has announced the 83 names of recipients of the Order of Canada, a list that includes doctors, activists, artists and economists.
Simon’s office announced the appointment of one Companion, the highest rank of the Order of Canada, 16 Officers, two Honorary Officers and 64 new Members, the Order’s first honorary rank. Two of the appointments are promotions within the Order of Canada.
“The Order of Canada recognises individuals who have made a positive and lasting impact on their communities in Canada, or who have brought honour to our country abroad,” the Governor General said in a media statement.
“I congratulate our new appointees and thank their nominators for highlighting their achievements, purpose and extraordinary talents.”
Pop-punk musician Avril Lavigne was inducted into the organization in recognition of both her career success and her work advocating for people with serious illnesses and disabilities. The Napanee, Ontario native has spoken publicly about her struggle with Lyme disease.
Melissa Fong, renowned author, filmmaker and former CBC war correspondent, was named a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun for her work advocating for women and girls in war-torn countries.
Fang was kidnapped in Kabul in 2008 while covering the Afghanistan war for CBC, an experience she wrote a book about. Beneath the Afghan Sky: A POW’s Memories.
Tina Keeper is an award-winning actress and producer best known for playing Officer Michelle Kennedy on CBC’s “RCMP.” North of 60 degreesKeeper is one of the first Cree members of Parliament and is known for his work on Indigenous films and television shows.
Joyce Napier, a former Radio-Canada journalist and now Canada’s ambassador to the Vatican, was also appointed a member of the order for her contributions to broadcasting and journalism.
Monique Forger-Lelou, former president and CEO of Desjardins Group, is the only companion on the list. According to the Government General’s Office, she has represented Canada on multinational groups and committees and was the first Canadian woman to chair the International Cooperative Alliance.
Former Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz was appointed to the board. Poloz told CBC News that he enrolled at Queen’s University to become a doctor, but a chance encounter with an economics class in his first year changed his life.
“I chose economics because it seemed like a powerful field that, if done right, could improve the lives of many people,” he said.
Poloz, who also served as president and CEO of Export Development Canada, said he was honoured and surprised to find out he was a recipient of the Order of Canada.
“When I got the call, I was just blown away,” he said. “I was so excited. It’s a very proud moment, it really is.”
Martha Friendly, a longtime child care advocate and newly appointed board member, told CBC News she’s “really excited” and hopes her life’s work will be brought to the spotlight.
“I’ve been involved in childcare my whole life, my whole career,” she says. “I really [this honour] We know that child care is now a critical issue for Canada… This would not have happened five or seven years ago.”
Madeleine Huemer, who was made a member of the Order of Canada for her work as a music teacher and children’s choir director, said she had no idea that family and friends had been working behind the scenes to ensure her achievements were recognised.
“When you hear these stories when you’re young, you don’t think it relates to you,” she told CBC News.
She said it seems odd to be recognized for “waving to kids” all day, but she hopes the recognition shows how important music is in children’s lives.
“It’s about reaching the kids in ways they might not even realize, seeing the ‘aha moment’ on their faces as they sing and realizing how connected they are to each other, to this organization and to the music we’re all creating together,” she said.
Pamela Apelt, a Jamaican native, has been appointed as an officer of the Order. She is a prominent community leader and the first Black Canadian woman appointed to the Citizenship Tribunal of Canada.
“I’ve been active in the community for decades and it’s something I love to do,” she said. “I’m truly humbled by this honor.”
“For me, this is a reminder that if you give yourself to a country you call home, a country you call a second home, you have a responsibility to give back. And in my case, Canada has opened doors that have improved many aspects of my life.”
She said she hopes her appointment will inspire young people across Canada to get involved in their communities.
“It’s never too early to start using your talents and making connections within your community,” she said.
Colleen Louise Murphy, renowned playwright, opera writer and film director, has been appointed a member of the Order.
She told CBC News she was “very surprised” to hear that her life’s work had been recognized, “because I do theater and I’m a playwright, so I try to keep a low profile.”
“Anything that can shed some light on theatre, especially playwriting, is great,” she said.
List of Order of Canada recipients for June 27th
fellow
Monique Forget-Leroux [promotion within the Order]
board member
Yusuf Altintas
Pamela Geraldine Apert
Martha Rachel Friendly
Melissa Veronica Von
Chit Chang Gun [promotion within the Order]
Beverley Jean Johnston
Daniel Gerard Lavoie
Lindsay Machan
Daphne Maurer
Charles M. Morin
Kent George Nagano [honorary appointment]
Jack Cyril Pierrepoint
Stephen Shawn Poloz
Kenneth John Lockwood
Frances Estelle Reed Simmons
Douglas Wade Stephens
Josef Strauss
Vaira Vikke Freiberger [honorary appointment]
member
Joe Bullock Average
Vicki Elaine Barracos
Christy Maren Belcourt
David Gordon Ben
Daniel Georges Bichet
Bill Bissett
John Alan Cairns
Mark Joseph Cameron
Pierre Chastenay
Edward Herman Cole
John Terry Copp
Rev. Michael Creel
Buchendranath Dubey
Nyima Gyaltsen Dorje
Elder Jane Rose Dragon
Marcel Dubois
Leonard John Edwards.
Lee Edward Ellet
Brian Ross Evans
William Anthony Fox
Janine Elizabeth Fuller
Rosemary Burns Ganley
Ernie Gelbart
Franklin Griffith
Sylvia D. Hamilton
Madeleine D. Huemer.
Jane Nott Hungerford
Captain Sidney Joseph Hines
William Janzen
Tina Jones
Christina Jean Keeper
Judy M. Kent
William James Gordon Kirby
James Gregory Kite
Patrick Joseph Lahey
Susan Elizabeth Lang
Barry Paul Lapointe
Mirna Eunilda Lashley
Avril R. Lavigne
Pierre Legault
Brant Channing Louis
Bruce A. Lurie
Zoe N. Lucas
Mother Pierre Anne Rosalia Mandart
Bruno Marti
Theresa Helen Mathias
James David Meekison
Richard Kelly Miscommon
Colleen Louise Murphy
Joyce Napier
Javed Abbas Naqvi
Robert Punnett Raymond
E. Michael Parley
Dan Poenaar
Linda Rabeneck
Stephen James Randall
Solomon Rat
Jonathan Scott Rose
Bibhudendra Sarkar
Frances Marjorie Shaver
Donald George Simpson
Marvin R. V. Straw
Jack Edward Taunton
Charles E. Weaselhead
