Order of Canada Investiture Ceremony

The Governor General presided over an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall. As chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order, he bestowed the honour on 12 Officers and 33 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.

Cal Nichols, C.M. (Edmonton, Alberta) has consistently demonstrated outstanding community leadership. An entrepreneur and self-made businessman, he founded Gasland Properties, a chain of retail and fuel outlets in Alberta. Never one to flinch in the face of adversity, when the future of the Oilers was threatened he rallied Edmontonians to support the team and later led efforts to save it by assembling a group of local investors to purchase the franchise. Subsequently, he spearheaded the creation of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, which funds education programs, medical research projects and a wide variety of other community enhancement initiatives.

Michel Louvain, C.M., C.Q. (Montréal, Quebec) is one of the great figures of popular music in Quebec. Discovered in the late 1950s, he has transcended styles and trends through his remarkable qualities as an artist. With a palpable charisma on stage, he has remained popular over the decades and continues to charm his fans, who remain unfailingly loyal to him. He is also renowned for his compassion and is actively involved with various causes, including Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the Pair Program, which provides a personalized call service to seniors to ensure they are in good health.

Jens Lindemann, C.M. (Pacific Palisades, California, United States of America and Edmonton, Alberta) is one of the world’s great trumpet virtuosos. He has performed as a soloist at New York’s Carnegie Hall as well as with a wide variety of first-rate ensembles. He has been credited internationally with helping to further the trumpet’s growing standing as a solo instrument. Currently a professor with high distinction at the University of California, Los Angeles, he performs and records regularly with Canadian orchestras, and continues to mentor young musicians at Alberta’s Banff Centre.

Marcia “Kappy” Flanders, C.M., M.S.M. (Montréal, Quebec) is a relentless advocate for improved palliative care treatment. Driven by her compassion for the dying, and committed to the fight against lung cancer, she created McGill University’s Chair in Palliative Medicine. She also co-founded the Council on Palliative Care to engage and inform the community on end-of-life issues. More recently, she played an important role in broadening public awareness about cutting-edge developments in medical science by launching McGill’s popular Mini-Med lecture series.

Kenneth MacClure Baird, C.M. (Ottawa, Ontario) has made significant contributions to both fundamental research and applied science. As the head of optical physics at the National Research Council of Canada, he was a leader in metrology, the science of precise physical measurement. He played a key role in using light waves to define the standard International Metre, resulting in greater accuracy in calculations. He also co-led the efforts to update the precise values of the speed of light, and helped develop a technique for coating documents with reflective film that helps protect our currency against counterfeiting.

Colonel Chris Austin Hadfield, O.C., O.Ont., M.S.C., C.D. (Ret’d) (Sarnia, Ontario) has inspired Canadians to reach new heights. His childhood dream of becoming an astronaut led him to study and train as an engineer, and then to a distinguished career as an Air Force test pilot before he was selected for the Canadian astronaut corps. Over the next 20 years, he flew on three missions to space, and served as chief capsule communicator for 25 space shuttle missions. In 2012, he became the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, where his gift for sharing the wonders of space flight captured the global imagination and created renewed interest in scientific discovery.

Catherine Frazee, O.C. (Canning, Nova Scotia) challenges the way we think about disability. Professor emerita at the School of Disability Studies at Ryerson University, she has written extensively on disability rights, identity and culture, often drawing on her own experience as a person with a disability and as the former head of Ontario’s human rights commission. Co-founder of a disability arts festival and a historic exhibit, she has showcased artists, writers and performers, fostering an appreciation for their arts and culture. She also helps steer many national organizations, including the Canadian Association for Community Living and the Abilities Arts Festival.

James Gordon Cuddy, O.C. and James Gregory Keelor, O.C. (Toronto, Ontario) are Canadian rock music icons. Guitarists, vocalists and songwriters, they have achieved critical acclaim through their band Blue Rodeo, and separately, as solo musicians. Beloved from coast to coast, they have been a force in Canadian music for over a quarter century, delighting audiences in metropolitan centres, rural towns and northern inlets. They are also models of giving back to the community, supporting Canadian Armed Forces personnel, amateur athletes and a variety of charitable causes.

Mark Carney, O.C. (London, United Kingdom and Ottawa, Ontario) is a leader in the development of monetary and financial-sector policies in Canada and around the world. Dedicated to the public good, he left a successful career in the financial industry to answer the call to public service, ascending to the position of governor of the Bank of Canada. In this role, he was one of the key players in steering the Canadian economy through the global economic crisis, championing clear communication and predictability. His distinguished leadership led to his appointment as chair of the Financial Stability Board and as governor of the Bank of England, the first non-Briton to be appointed to the position.

"We can learn a lot from you, because despite your many unique pursuits, I can think of more than a few traits that you share," said His Excellency. "You relentlessly strive for excellence. You work tirelessly at your chosen craft or profession. You eagerly seize opportunities. You know there are no shortcuts to success. And not least, you’ve taken to heart the motto of the Order of Canada: Desiderantes meliorem patriam—“They Desire a Better Country”. As a result, each of you has helped to create stronger communities, a better country and a better world."

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