November 27, 2020
The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours. Its Companions, Officers and Members take to heart the motto of the Order: DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM ("They desire a better country").
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. More than 7 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. Those who bear the Order’s iconic snowflake insignia have changed our nation’s measure of success and, through the sum of their accomplishments, have helped us build a better Canada.
Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. For more information about the Order of Canada or to nominate someone, visit www.gg.ca/en/honours.
Congratulations to the following 114 new appointees, which include 8 Companions (C.C.), 21 Officers (O.C.), 1 Honorary Member (C.M.), and 84 Members (C.M.). Each recipient will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date. A short citation for each new recipient may be found below.
Companions (8)
Howard Alper, C.C. For his significant contributions to organometallic chemistry and for his internationally recognized leadership in science research and policy. This is a promotion within the Order. |
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The Honourable Monique Bégin, P.C., C.C. For her lifelong contributions to public health, education and global human rights, and for consistently strengthening Canada’s international reputation in these fields. This is a promotion within the Order. |
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Janette Bertrand, C.C., C.Q. For remaining steadfast in her commitment to creating and promoting cultural, social and thought-provoking content. This is a promotion within the Order. |
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Denise Filiatrault, C.C., O.Q. For her untiring commitment to the performing arts as an actor, director, producer and mentor. This is a promotion within the Order. |
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Tom Jackson, C.C. For his prolific career as an actor and singer, and for his philanthropic initiatives supporting underprivileged people across Canada and abroad. This is a promotion within the Order. |
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Thomas King, C.C. For his enduring contributions to the preservation and recognition of Indigenous culture, as one of North America’s most acclaimed literary figures. This is a promotion within the Order. |
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Phillip James Edwin Peebles, C.C., O.M. For his pioneering discoveries regarding the evolution of the cosmos, which have defined a modern picture of the universe. |
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Mark Roger Tewksbury, C.C., M.S.M. For his athletic excellence and sport leadership, and for championing equity, inclusion and human rights, both on and off the field of play. |
Officers (21)
Alice Benjamin, O.C., C.Q. For her contributions as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist dedicated to the advancement of obstetrics and the management of high-risk pregnancies. |
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Philip Benjamin Berger, O.C., O.Ont. For his long-standing efforts to bring the social determinants of health to the forefront of medical care and for his strong advocacy on behalf of vulnerable patients. |
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Martha Gertrude Muriel Billes, O.C. For her achievements in business and for her philanthropy, notably through the creation of a foundation supporting disadvantaged children. |
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The Honourable William Alexander Blaikie, P.C., O.C. For his lifelong contributions to parliamentary service, and for his steadfast commitment to progressive change and social activism. |
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Jeffery Dahn, O.C. For his groundbreaking research on lithium-ion batteries, and for his mentorship and adroit bridging of academia and industry. Photo: Danny Abriel, Dalhousie University |
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Jan den Oudsten, O.C. For his inventive designs in bus manufacturing and for his contributions to the professional development of the next generation of transportation innovators. |
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The Honourable William C. Graham, P.C., O.C., Q.C. For his sustained contributions to politics and academia, and for his philanthropic endeavours. This is a promotion within the Order. |
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Sandra Kirby, O.C. For her pioneering research on athlete harassment and for her sustained efforts as an advocate for equity, inclusion and safety in sport. Photo: Susanne HIll, Winnipeg |
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Marcia Vaune Jocelyn Kran, O.C. For her contributions to the advancement of international human rights and development, and for her steadfast advocacy of democratic governance. |
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Eugenia Kumacheva, O.C. For her contributions to chemistry, notably through microfluidics and polymer research, and for her efforts as an advocate for women in science. |
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Linda Jane Leith, O.C. For connecting the country’s Anglophone and Francophone communities, and for fostering creativity and intercultural understanding through a literary festival. |
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Sheldon Levy, O.C. For his exceptional leadership as an education administrator and for promoting student entrepreneur incubators on university campuses across the country. |
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Claude Meunier, O.C. For his unique humour and artistic creations that have transformed Quebec’s cultural landscape. |
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John E. Peller, O.C. For leading and expanding the family’s wine-producing company, and for his outstanding contributions to the Canadian wine industry. |
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The Honourable François Rolland, O.C. For his long-standing career in law and for his contributions as a lawyer, judge and mediator dedicated to the modernization of Quebec’s judicial system. |
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Guy Rouleau, O.C., O.Q. For his excellence in clinical care and research, and for championing open science principles in the neuroscience community. |
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John David Runnalls, O.C. For his decades-long commitment to and influence in promoting environmentally sustainable development around the world. |
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Sara Seager, O.C. For her multidisciplinary research that has contributed to transforming the study of extrasolar planets into a full-fledged planetary science. |
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Elder Doreen Spence, O.C. For her efforts as an internationally respected Cree Elder advocating for peace and Indigenous peoples’ human rights. |
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Marc Tessier-Lavigne, O.C. For his ground-breaking contributions to developmental neuroscience, and for his renowned academic leadership and strong advocacy for science. |
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Yosef Wosk, O.C., O.B.C. For his far-reaching contributions to his community as a scholar, educator and writer, and for his generous philanthropy. |
Honorary Member
Alfred E. Slinkard, C.M. For his research in agronomy and the development of two cultivars of lentils that have transformed agriculture in western Canada and now feed thousands of people. This is an honorary appointment. |
Members (84)
Ella Yoelli Amir, C.M. For her contributions to the field of mental health and for advocating on behalf of families and caregivers. |
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Cristina Amon, C.M. For her contributions to the advancement of the field of engineering and to research and innovation across Canada. |
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Ronald Duncan Barr, C.M. For his contributions to the field of pediatric oncology, notably for his research on cancer in adolescents and young adults. |
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Christian Barthomeuf, C.M. For inventing ice cider and for developing a viticulture adapted to Quebec winters while respecting agricultural biodiversity. |
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Chief Darcy Bear, C.M., S.O.M. For his visionary leadership of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, and for creating economic and social development opportunities for his community. |
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B. Lynn Beattie, C.M. For her pioneering contributions to the field of geriatric medicine in Canada and abroad. |
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Yves Beauchamp, C.M., C.Q. For expanding the École de technologie supérieure and Montréal’s Quartier de l’innovation, and for his devotion to post-secondary education. |
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Izak Benbasat, C.M. For his role in the development of the field of management information systems (MIS) and for his mentorship of generations of MIS scholars. |
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Daniel R. Bereskin, C.M., Q.C. For his leadership in the field of intellectual property law and trademark law in Canada and abroad. |
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Judy Birdsell, C.M. For her extensive contributions to improving health care and the quality of life for patients in Alberta and across Canada. |
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Max Blouw, C.M. For his dedicated leadership as an academic administrator and for his advancement of evidence-based research at Canadian universities. |
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Allan Borodin, C.M. For his expertise in theoretical computer science and for his development of nationally recognized computational models and analyses. |
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George Brookman, C.M. For his commitment to local business initiatives, and for his multifaceted contributions as a Calgary community leader. |
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Alain Chartrand, C.M., C.Q. For his leadership at the helm of a pan-Canadian music initiative and for promoting Francophone music at home and abroad. |
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Robert Anthony Clark, C.M. For establishing a world-renowned program to help businesses and customers identify and purchase sustainable seafood. |
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Ronald Ivan Cohen, C.M., M.B.E. For his dedication to promoting and preserving literary and cultural heritage in Canada and abroad. |
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Liliane Colpron, C.M. For refining the art of bread making in Quebec, for her skilful entrepreneurship, and for her charitable endeavours. |
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Joseph Michael Connors, C.M. For his contributions to the study and treatment of lymphoid cancers, and for his role in the advancement of lymphoma care in Canada. |
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Jean Marc Dalpé, C.M. For his contributions to Francophone literature and theatre, both onstage and on paper. |
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B. Denham Jolly, C.M. For his contributions to the promotion of equity and opportunity within the Greater Toronto Area’s Black community. |
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Sandra Djwa, C.M. For her promotion of Canadian and Québécois literature and for her cultural contributions as a teacher, mentor, biographer and critic. |
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Michel Doucet, C.M., O.N.B., Q.C. For dedicating his life to ensuring respect for French as an official language and for advocating for language rights. |
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James M. Drake, C.M. For his leadership in the field of pediatric neurosurgery and for his contributions to the treatment of complex childhood disorders. |
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Roger Dubois, C.M. For his patronage in the fields of culture, health, sport and education. |
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Donald Gordon Duguid, C.M., O.M. For his contributions to the growth of the sport of curling, as an athlete, broadcaster and teacher. |
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Hoda ElMaraghy, C.M., O.Ont. For her contributions to the field of mechanical engineering, notably for her work in advancing manufacturing systems in Canada and abroad. |
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Philip Michael Epstein, C.M., O.Ont., Q.C. For his leadership in Canadian family law and for pioneering programs in dispute resolution now emulated across the country. |
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John S. Eyking, C.M. For his personal and professional dedication to the Cape Breton community, particularly within the agriculture industry. |
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William Fast, C.M. For his leading business acumen and for his philanthropic commitment to disadvantaged communities in Canada. |
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Edward Finn, C.M. For his lifelong contributions to Canada’s political discourse as a trade unionist, journalist, writer and politician. |
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Jackie Flanagan, C.M. For encouraging public engagement and emerging writers as founder of Alberta Views magazine, and for supporting the Canadian arts. |
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William John Fox, C.M. For fostering a greater understanding of communications principles within the public and private sectors and for furthering students’ opportunities in political management and journalism. |
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The Honourable Joan Fraser, C.M. For her trailblazing career as a journalist and for her commitment to minority language rights. |
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Timothy Frick, C.M., O.B.C. For his expertise in coaching and for his contributions to the advancement of parasports in Canada. |
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Ross William Glen, C.M. For his entrepreneurial and philanthropic leadership in his community. |
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Robert Godin, C.M. For his research and development activities in guitar manufacturing. |
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Priscilla Edson Greenwood, C.M. For her contributions to the fields of statistics and mathematics, and for her pioneering work in probability theory. |
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David Grimes, C.M. For his outstanding leadership in meteorology and for his pioneering development of a global strategy on climate change and disaster-risk preparedness. |
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Charles Roy Guest, C.M. For establishing the innovative profit-sharing and employee-ownership plan at Spartan Controls and for founding the Bearspaw Benevolent Foundation. |
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Stanley Hamilton, C.M., O.B.C. For his contributions to business education in Canada and abroad, and for generously supporting Vancouver’s arts scene. |
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Anthony Olmsted Hendrie, C.M. For his volunteerism and philanthropy in support of a wide range of causes over the past 60 years. |
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Carol Pearl Herbert, C.M. For her contributions to the fields of clinical and academic medicine, as a family physician, medical educator, researcher and administrator. |
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Gordon Hicks, C.M. For his environmental leadership in the real estate industry, for his mental health advocacy, and for his community engagement. |
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Jagmohan Humar, C.M. For his contributions to structural engineering, for his commitment to education, and for his long-standing service as a community leader. |
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Peter Daniel Alexander Jacobs, C.M. For his contributions to Canadian landscape architecture and for his commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development. |
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The Honourable Janis Guðrún Johnson, C.M. For her long-standing career in the public service, and for her contributions to Manitoba’s arts and culture scene. |
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Maria Labrecque-Duchesneau, C.M., C.Q. For her psychosocial suicide prevention interventions adapted to the needs of rural families. |
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John R. Lacey, C.M. For his dedicated international business leadership, mentorship of the next generation and philanthropy in support of the arts. |
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Elizabeth Langley, C.M. For her sustained mentorship of aspiring dancers and her lifelong devotion to the art. Photo: Peter Trosztmer |
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Gérard Raymond Le Chêne, C.M., C.Q. For his contribution to documentary filmmaking and for his commitment to raising the international profile of the diversity and African culture of the Francophonie and the West Indies. |
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Michele Leering, C.M. For her dedication to helping underprivileged and marginalized populations gain access to legal services and the justice system. |
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Jacques Légaré, C.M. For the unique actuarial perspective of his demographic research on population aging and for his writings that have enriched Quebec genealogy. |
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Elliot Lifson, C.M. For his leadership and mentorship in the apparel industry, for his commitment to Canada’s economic growth, and for his community involvement. |
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William Macdonald, C.M. For his distinguished career as a law practitioner and for his expert counsel on national public policy issues. |
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Judy Matthews, C.M. For her groundbreaking contributions to Toronto’s cultural and urban landscapes, as an urban planner and philanthropist. |
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Harvey Andrew McCue (Waubageshig), C.M. For his contributions to the health and well-being of Indigenous youth in Canada and for his influential leadership in education. |
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Brian McFarlane, C.M. For his contributions to the sport of hockey, as a sportscaster, writer and historian. |
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Lucy Lynn McIntyre, C.M. For her influential research on health equity and food insecurity, and for her contributions to public health policies in Canada. |
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John H. McNeill, C.M. For his contributions to cardiovascular pharmacology and for his pioneering research that linked cardiac disease and diabetes. |
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Sarah Milroy, C.M. For promoting Canadian art and artists through her roles as editor, publisher, critic and curator. |
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Scott Moir, C.M. For his unparalleled excellence in ice dancing and for inspiring the next generation of Canadian figure skaters. |
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Menka Nagrani, C.M. For her efforts to include people with disabilities into the performing arts, blending dance, theatre and music. |
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Jacques Nantel, C.M. For his scholarly work related to the retail industry, and for promoting ethical business practices. |
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Peggy Nash, C.M. For her contributions to women’s employment equity, human rights and gender representation in all levels of public office. |
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Glenn O’Farrell, C.M. For his vision for education and for his leadership in communications, having positioned a media outlet as a global symbol of French language and culture. |
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Marietta Orlov, C.M. (deceased) For her lifelong contributions as a piano pedagogue and for her enduring devotion to the next generation of Canadian musicians. |
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Marc Parent, C.M. For his achievements that have greatly contributed to the development and growth of the aerospace industry in Canada. |
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Serge Payette, C.M., C.Q. For his scientific work documenting the impacts of climate change and the vitality of the northern flora of Quebec and Labrador. |
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Christina Petrowska Quilico, C.M. For her celebrated career as a classical and contemporary pianist, and for championing Canadian music. |
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Crystal Pite, C.M. For her contributions to contemporary dance, as an innovative choreographer, dancer and director. Photo: Michael Slobodian |
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Anthony Robin Poole, C.M. For his contributions to medical education and for his breakthrough research on cartilage that has paved the way to the early detection of osteoarthritis. Photo: Stephany Hildebrand |
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Brian Postl, C.M., O.M. For his leadership of and involvement in the advancement of clinical and academic health care in Manitoba. |
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Tom Radford, C.M. For showcasing the history and culture of the western and northern regions of Canada through his films and documentaries. |
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The Honourable Allan Michael Rock, P.C., C.M., O.Ont., Q.C. For his contributions to the advancement of human rights and global humanitarian issues, and to the fields of law, politics and education. |
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Lorio Roy, C.M. For his ongoing commitment to improving post-secondary education and for his dedication to the Acadian community. |
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Vera Schiff, C.M. For her illustrious career as an author, historian and public speaker who is nationally recognized for sharing her moving experiences of the Holocaust. |
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Stefan Glenn Sigurdson, C.M., Q.C. For his dexterous relationship-building skills and for his contributions to alternative dispute resolution across Canada and beyond. |
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Lara St. John, C.M. For pushing the boundaries of classical interpretation as a solo violinist and for supporting diversity in the arts. |
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Dave William Thomas, C.M. For his acclaimed body of comedic work as an actor, writer and producer over the past 45 years and as a mentor to the next generation. |
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Tessa Virtue, C.M. For her unparalleled excellence in ice dancing and for inspiring the next generation of Canadian figure skaters. |
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Peter Warrian, C.M. For his expertise as a lead researcher in the Canadian steel industry, and for his philanthropic contributions to international health issues. |
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David P. Wilkinson, C.M. For his contributions to electrochemical science and engineering, particularly the ongoing development of fuel cell technology. |
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Kenneth L. Wilson, C.M. For his nationally recognized expertise in reconstructive and plastic surgery, and for his volunteer work on international medical missions. |
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Roger Wong, C.M. For his contributions to the field of geriatric medicine, including the advancement of policies, education and specialized, culturally sensitive health care. |