2013 Massey Medal

As patron of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), His Excellency presided over the RCGS Awards Ceremony, held prior to the College of Fellows Annual Dinner. Joined by Mr. Paul Ruest, President of the RCGS, the Governor General presented the Massey Medal and eight other awards to Canadians who have helped build a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada.

The Mapping Information Branch of Natural Resources Canada received the Gold Medal for the completion of the topographic mapping of Canada at 1:50,000 scale — a major milestone in Canadian cartography that took 98 years to complete.

During the reception, recipients joined the Governor General for a group photo.

Mr. David Ley was presented with the 2013 Massey Medal. A social and urban geographer, Mr. Ley is known for his formative research on ‘gentrification’ in North American cities. He is also recognized for his work as the founding director of the Vancouver Metropolis Centre of Excellence, an interdisciplinary research centre founded in 1996. More recently, his research has focused on immigration and the geopolitical events and political economy driving migration policy, which culminated in the publication of his 10th book, Millionaire Migrants, in 2010.

Ms. Jill Heinerth, considered the foremost female cave diver on the planet, received the inaugural Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration.

Mr. David Hik, one of Canada’s top Arctic scientists and the former executive director of the Canadian International Polar Year Secretariat, received the Martin Bergmann Medal.

Mr. Jeff Golfman, a Winnipeg-based eco-entrepreneur, received the 3M Environmental Innovation Award for his work creating affordable, high-quality paper from agricultural waste.

G.P. Vanier Secondary School teacher Andrew Young received the first Innovation in Geography Teaching Award for his ability to explain geography while situating it within a broader scientific and social context.

Ms. Anne Smith Mansfield, of the faculty of education at Queen’s University, received the Geographic Literacy Award for her commitment to advancing geographic education from curriculum development to classroom instruction.

University of Laval professor Gérard Duhaime received the Canadian Polar Commission’s Northern Science Award for his work improving life in northern communities, which has made him one of the world’s leading social scientists.

Mr. Robert Bateman, one of the world’s best-loved wildlife painters and naturalists, also received the Gold Medal for working to raise awareness of Canadian geography, and for encouraging Canadians, especially children, to get outdoors.