Governor General to invest 46 recipients into the Order of Canada

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of member of the Order of Canada to Walter Gretzky, C.M., O.Ont. Canada’s best-known hockey dad, Walter Gretzky is also a man who consistently finds ways of giving back to the community. He remains committed to supporting numerous civic and sporting events, and, with dedication and generosity of spirit, he continues to strengthen his community.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of member of the Order of Canada to Laurent Lapierre, C.M. Renowned educator and holder of the Pierre-Péladeau Leadership Chair at HEC Montréal, formerly known as École des hautes études commerciales, Laurent Lapierre is known for his commitment to the arts and to promoting their importance in contemporary societies.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of member of the Order of Canada to Kenneth Poyser, C.M. For four decades, Kenneth Poyser has worked to improve the lives of those with hemophilia in Canada and abroad while overcoming the challenges of the disease himself. In addition, he established a fund that provides financial support for research on the disease in Canada, and he has contributed to the creation of international programs that help developing countries assist their citizens living with hemophilia.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of member of the Order of Canada to Hartley T. Richardson, C.M. Passionate about the community in which he lives, Hartley Richardson has channelled his business acumen, influence and resources into a broad spectrum of initiatives. He has also played a key role with the CNIB in improving access to library services for the visually impaired across the country.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of member of the Order of Canada to Mark H. Rowswell, C.M. Mark Rowswell uses his extraordinary talents for comedy and language to build bridges of understanding between Canada and China. An unofficial ambassador for Canada, he has been uniting our peoples through laughter, understanding and goodwill for the past two decades.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of officer of the Order of Canada to Jean-Marie Dufour, O.C., O.Q. An economist and statistician, Jean-Marie Dufour is one of the most eminent econometricians in the world. Very active in various scientific organizations, he is also an excellent educator who shares his passion for excellence with all his students.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of officer of the Order of Canada to Adrianne Pieczonka, O.C. One of the top opera singers of her generation, soprano Adrianne Pieczonka has performed in a variety of roles in some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses. Her rich, flexible and powerful voice has been called “luminous” and “radiant,” and her international following and acclaim continue to grow.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of companion of the Order of Canada to Preston Manning, C.C. Preston Manning has devoted his life to public service. Since his retirement from politics, he has continued his contribution to public policy dialogue through his involvement with numerous research and consulting organizations, including the Fraser Institute, the Canada West Foundation, and the Manning Centre for Building Democracy, which he founded in 2005.