Order of Canada Investiture Ceremony

The Governor General presided over an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall. 25 Members and 13 Officers were recognized for outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

Charmaine A. Crooks, C.M. (West Vancouver, British Columbia) is a role model of athleticism and volunteerism. The first Canadian woman to run 800 metres in under two minutes, she represented Canada internationally for 17 years, notably as a five-time Olympian and Olympic silver medallist. She then translated her experience as a competitor to the highest levels of sport leadership, serving on the Canadian Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee, where she was instrumental in developing its code of ethics. She also supports many charities, including the Canucks Autism Network, Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland, and the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Chef Louis Charest was happy to give Sister Angèle Rizzardo a tour of Rideau Hall's kitchens following the ceremony.

Meeting Sister Angèle was a unique experience for the kitchen staff.

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country.

"But even though this investiture reflects a lifetime commitment to Canada, to people, and to your fields of work, your responsibility as community, national and international leaders continues to grow," said His Excellency. "You are now part of a wider network of Canadians, those who have the task of improving our country and the world by giving back."

One of Canada’s most compelling artists, Ian Hugh Wallace, O.C. (Vancouver, British Columbia) has played a fundamental role in shaping the contemporary art scene. His avant-garde practice of integrating painting and photography made him a central figure in the creation of the internationally renowned Vancouver School of Photoconceptualism. In addition, he taught Canadian art history at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, where he contributed important scholarship to Canadian art history and nurtured the development of emerging artists.

Marnie Elizabeth McBean, O.C., M.S.M. (Toronto, Ontario) has translated her own success into helping others. As a member of Canada’s rowing team, she won numerous national and international titles and is one of only two Canadians to win three summer Olympic gold medals. She now channels her energy and determination into mentoring our Olympians, helping them turn their potential into performance. As an ambassador for Right to Play, Fast and Female, and Plan Canada’s “Because I am a Girl” campaign, she continues to inspire and build confidence in young women.

Françoise Bertrand, O.C., C.Q. (Town of Mount Royal, Quebec) is a distinguished administrator whose career is a source of inspiration. As president and CEO of Télé-Québec, she became the first female head of a television network in North America, redirecting its educational and cultural programming to reflect the realities of Quebec society. She also blazed a trail as the first woman to serve as chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), notably opening telephone service to competition. Today, as head of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec and chair of the Quebecor inc. board, she is an important voice in public debates on current socio-economic issues.

For over 50 years, Sister Angèle Rizzardo, C.M. (Montréal, Quebec) has been sharing her love of cooking and the art of cooking well. She first left her mark as a teacher at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec and then moved on to television, where she won over audiences from her first appearance. Other television programs, as well as columns and cookbooks, soon followed. With her legendary joie de vivre and energy, she tirelessly educates others about good nutrition while promoting Canadian products. As a member of the Institut Notre-Dame du Bon-Conseil de Montréal, she is actively involved in the community and supports numerous causes, particularly those benefiting disadvantaged children.

Cape Breton’s musical heritage has been enriched by the contributions of Allister MacGillivray, C.M. (Albert Bridge, Nova Scotia). A musician and composer, he is beloved for his original songs, many of which depict the traditional way of life of Cape Breton coal miners and fishermen. His compositions are popular with professional and amateur choirs, particularly his “Song for the Mira”, which is considered a classic and has been translated into several languages. His various anthologies and publications about fiddling, step dancing and the Gaelic language have also helped to preserve the island’s traditional culture.

Nathalie Des Rosiers, C.M., O.Ont. (Ottawa, Ontario) has devoted her law career to ensuring greater social justice. Renowned for her efforts to advance civil liberties, she served as president of the Law Commission of Canada, during which time she produced a baseline report, Restoring Dignity: Responding to Child Abuse in Canadian Institutions. Former general counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and dean of the Civil Law Section at the University of Ottawa, she now heads the university’s common law section. She is also known for her commitment to Francophone minority rights and to the use of French within Ontario’s legal institutions.

Their Excellencies are pictured with the recipients that were invested into the Order of Canada on the evening of December 13, 2013.