Order of Canada Investiture Ceremony

The Governor General presided over an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Friday, February 13, 2015. He bestowed the honour on 2 Companions, 8 Officers and 36 Members.

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.

At the end of the ceremony, the national anthem was sung by Mr. Garth Hampson.

The Governor General and guests warmly applauded the 46 recipients.

René Simard, C.M. (Lorraine, Quebec) has held a special place in our culture for over 40 years. An iconic figure in music in the 1970s, he began his international career when he was 14 years old and has now recorded over 40 albums. He has also stirred people’s hearts as the host of galas and variety programs in Quebec and across Canada, and as the director and artistic director of major musical productions, including Génération Motown and Elvis Story. He has been very generous with his time and has, for many years, been the spokesperson for the Fondation québécoise pour la recherche sur l’implant cochléaire and the Fondation Sourdine, which help children with hearing disabilities.

Irene Fraser, C.M. (Millet, Alberta) is an advocate for the fair treatment of Aboriginal people. Highly regarded for her work with the John Howard Society and the National Parole Board, she became a sought-after advisor, sharing her broad knowledge on Aboriginal justice issues with government commissions and the boards of many social service organizations. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of culturally sensitive parole hearings and the Indian Residential Schools claims process. She is admired for her principles, courage, compassion and civic engagement.

A major figure in Quebec poetry, Denise Desautels, C.M. (Montréal, Quebec) is considered one of the most exceptional prose writers in the province. She has published a dense, diversified body of work that has been translated into several languages and has earned her numerous awards. Through her original approach, which is characterized by her collaboration with visual artists, she has contributed to the renewal of the artistic language of her field. Moreover, her commitment to the literary scene makes her a passionate spokesperson in Quebec and around the world.

Brigadier-General Pierre G. Boutet, C.M., C.M.M., C.D. (Ret’d) (Lévis, Quebec) demonstrated remarkable dedication and leadership in the fields of military law and international law. He served with the Canadian Armed Forces for a number of years and notably helped make reforms to the National Defence Act as judge advocate general. Later, as a United Nations-appointed judge for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, he worked in the field for several years under very difficult conditions to help re-establish a law-abiding society.

Veena Rawat, O.C. (Ottawa, Ontario) is a trailblazer for women in telecommunications. An engineer at Industry Canada in the 1970s, she rose through the ranks to become president of the Communications Research Centre. She led international negotiations related to the management of radio frequency spectrum and chaired the multilateral body that sets worldwide best practices in the field. Her leadership has helped build the framework to regulate the radio spectrum used for broadcasting, mobile communication, navigation, satellites and more. Throughout her career she has also sought to increase opportunities for women in science and technology.

Actor, director and writer Paul Gross, O.C. (Toronto, Ontario) has left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape. Internationally known for his role as RCMP Constable Benton Fraser on the award-winning television series “Due South”, he has also earned accolades for his work in theatre and film. He is committed to telling Canadian stories, notably as the author and director of the First World War epic Passchendaele, in which he also starred. In addition, he ardently promotes Canadian culture, mentoring domestic talent and advocating on behalf of our television and film industries.

A true renaissance man, Jean-Marie De Koninck, O.C., C.Q. (Lac-Beauport, Quebec) has had a strong impact on a number of sectors. As a renowned mathematician, he has multiplied his projects to make mathematics more accessible, especially to children all across the country. He is also still the president-founder of Operation Red Nose, which has become a pan-Canadian organization and a global model. Moreover, the recommendations he has made as president of the Table québécoise de la sécurité routière have led to legislative changes and, accordingly, a decrease in the number of traffic accidents. He also very generously donates his time to various organizations, particularly those related to the development of amateur sport in Canada. This is a promotion within the Order

James Douglas Fleck, C.C. (Toronto, Ontario) has made indelible contributions to Canada’s business, academic, public policy and philanthropic sectors. His visionary and strategic leadership and his mentorship are hallmarks of his long career as an entrepreneur, professor and public servant. He is equally well known for his transformational philanthropy, lending his personal support and expertise to organizations in the health care, social services, sports, educational and cultural sectors. He is highly regarded for the instrumental role he played in the development of the Canadian Arts Summit, which brings arts leaders together to share best practices and network. As well, as chair of Business for the Arts, he has connected business executives with cultural institutions to develop avenues of support for Canadian artists. This is a promotion within the Order.

"You excel in so many fields and come from such a variety of backgrounds," said His Excellency. "From sea to sea to sea, the members of the Order of Canada touch all corners of this country. This ceremony is an opportunity to say thank you, on behalf of all Canadians, for all you have done."

Group photo taken prior to the formal dinner held in honour of the newly invested recipients of the Order of Canada.