Order of Canada Ceremony

On September 28, 2012, the Governor General, who is chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, bestowed the honour on 27 Members, 15 Officers and 1 Companion, at Rideau Hall.

Natalie Zemon Davis, C.C. (Toronto, Ontario) is one of the most celebrated historians of our time. Professor emerita at Princeton University and now associated with the History Department at the University of Toronto, she has gained international acclaim for her creative approach to social and cultural history in the early modern period. Her focus on the lives of everyday women, labourers, artisans and peasants has advanced the field of history and influenced such disciplines as anthropology and film studies. She is best-known for her 1982 classic The Return of Martin Guerre, which captured the public’s imagination and has been translated into more than 20 languages.

Author, journalist and humorist, Stuart McLean, O.C. (Toronto, Ontario) has been informing and entertaining Canadians for more than 30 years. Host of the popular radio series “The Vinyl Cafe,” he engages his audience with timeless stories that resonate both at home and abroad, showcasing small communities and the talents of local musicians. He is a warmly regarded mentor to aspiring journalists and a generous supporter of community and charitable causes, particularly those aiding abused and underprivileged women and children.

James McEwen, O.C. (Vancouver, British Columbia) is committed to developing technology that improves the quality of health care while reducing its cost. Adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s faculties of applied science and medicine, he designed an innovative automatic tourniquet system that is now widely used across North America and around the world. Also an entrepreneur, he has established several successful companies and was the founder and a director of the Medical Device Development Centre, a not-for-profit body that develops and assesses new medical technologies.

General Rick J. Hillier, O.C., C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D. (Ret’d) (Ottawa, Ontario) served his nation with distinction for more than 35 years. As an army commander, he provided strong leadership both at home, during domestic challenges such as the 1998 ice storm, and abroad, leading multinational forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Afghanistan. As chief of the Defence Staff, he embodied the values of duty and honour, inspiring pride in our military. His leadership continues in his role as chancellor of Memorial University of Newfoundland.

For over 30 years, Louise Sicuro, C.M. (Montréal, Québec) has devoted herself to the development of the arts and culture. She founded Culture pour tous, an organization dedicated to democratizing culture and encouraging cultural participation in Quebec. One of her most notable initiatives has been the Journées de la culture: three days of free artistic, heritage and cultural activities open to all. She is also an active volunteer on the boards of various organizations, including the Société de la Place des arts, the Université du Québec à Montréal, and Culture Montréal.

Pierre Lavoie, C.M. C.Q., M.S.M. (Saguenay, Quebec) brings people together, embodying courage and a desire to reach beyond one’s limits. An internationally ranked triathlete, he decided to give meaning to the deaths of his children and created the Défi Pierre Lavoie: cycling across 650 km in 24 hours as a fundraiser to support research into lactic acidosis. He later created the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, and launched several projects to encourage young people to adopt healthier lifestyles and stay in school. To help achieve this objective, he has partnered with schools and takes his caravan throughout Quebec, even visiting summer camps.

Mary Ferguson-Paré, C.M. (Lakefield, Ontario) has enhanced the nursing profession and the quality of care for patients. A role model and a leader, she has drawn on her professional experience in acute and long-term care to fill a range of senior positions, notably as chief nurse executive of the University Health Network. She is also engaged in transforming nursing education, through programs at Nipissing and York universities, that link professional experience with scholarship and patient-centered care.

Cheryl Bartlett, C.M. (Sydney, Nova Scotia) is pioneering a new approach to post-secondary science education. Director of Integrative Science at Cape Breton University, she has partnered with local Elders to create a science curriculum that incorporates Mi’kmaq learning traditions. Her work has helped to increase participation and graduation rates of Aboriginal students earning science degrees. She has also helped Mi’kmaq Elders preserve the language and culture of their people, ensuring that educators have access to this important traditional resource for generations to come.

"In such a wonderful variety of ways, you have made outstanding contributions to your communities, to our country and to the wider world," said His Excellency. "You have done so by striking the right balance between your own personal vision and collaboration with others."

Their Excellencies are pictured with the 43 recipients that were invested into the Order of Canada on September 28, 2012.