Governor General Honours Remarkable Canadians

The Governor General presented honours to 41 recipients during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

The Governor General delivered remarks on this occasion.

Commander Bonnar was instrumental in shaping the largest NATO task group assembled in more than two decades. As chief of staff and deputy commander of Standing NATO Maritime Task Group One from July to December 2017, he exemplified outstanding leadership and remarkable planning and communications skills. Commander Bonnar’s tremendous efforts reflected positively on Canada’s steadfast commitment to NATO’s military and strategic objectives in the Mediterranean.

Brigadier-General Cadieu served as commander of Task Force Jerusalem and as inaugural commander of Task Force Middle East from July 2016 to July 2017. His eloquence and in-depth knowledge of the challenges facing the region led him to play an active role in advancing the priority objectives of the US Security Coordinator and to establish the regional command post in Amman, Jordan. His initiatives had a positive impact on efforts to strengthen the armed forces of Jordan and Lebanon and helped to maintain strong relations with partners in the region.

Brigadier-General Pelletier was deployed to Qatar from June 2016 to January 2017 as director of the Combined Aerospace Operations Centre. Thanks to his expertise and ability to put together highly skilled teams, he expertly coordinated combat air operations in a complex multinational environment. An outstanding ambassador for Canada, Brigadier-General Pelletier played a key role in the international coalition’s efforts to defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Susan Pond’s dedication, professionalism and innovative thinking have greatly enhanced Canada’s contribution to NATO. In her role as a senior officer, she has strengthened partnerships and developed practical tools that support good governance across the globe. Her leadership in pioneering the idea of using a trust fund to finance special projects like the destruction of landmines and small arms has bolstered Canada’s commitment to building peace and stability around the world.

Chief Warrant Officer Forest was deployed to Latvia from June 2017 to January 2018 as part of Canada’s contribution to NATO deterrence in Central and Eastern Europe. As the sergeant major of the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group, he shaped a disparate team into a cohesive unit and maintained discipline and morale in a complex and multinational environment. Recognized as a superb role model and “force multiplier,” Chief Warrant Officer Forest left an enduring legacy of the battle group’s operational effectiveness and a positive reflection on Canada.

Sergeant Barrett was deployed to Ukraine from September 2017 to March 2018 as part of NATO’s program to build the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A master sniper, he played a leading role in reforming and standardizing the sniper training programs across the Ukrainian Armed Forces and in proposing tangible solutions to Ukraine-specific challenges. Thanks to Sergeant Barrett’s initiative and organizational skills, the Ukrainian army now has the necessary tools to train its snipers independently and consistently.

From 2014 to 2018, Commander Burke was employed with the Chief of Naval Staff Strategic Personnel Policy directorate. Her leadership was instrumental to the development of the Naval Ethical Compass and What Right Looks Like campaigns adopted by the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy. Her work in modernizing the Canadian Armed Forces pregnancy regulations directly led to a more equitable environment for female members. Her outstanding efforts considerably enhanced Canadian Armed Forces employment equity and ethical conduct.

From June to August 2018, Warrant Officer Côté contributed to the UN mission in Mali. As camp sergeant major of the Joint Task Force Support Component, he ensured that new team members were welcomed and integrated smoothly to ensure the effectiveness of the mission in collaboration with the German and Dutch forces. Typical of his commitment, Warrant Officer Côté did not hesitate to travel urgently to Dakar, Senegal, to temporarily assume the role of sergeant major to maintain the continuous flow of equipment in the region.

Master Corporal Yu demonstrated outstanding dedication and team spirit during his deployment from May to November 2018 as an analyst with Operation JUTE. His ability to rigorously analyze digital data from equipment seized from the enemy led him to develop a new report showing how this information can improve a mission’s capabilities and identify targets. His advances in intelligence have greatly benefitted the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada as a whole.

Joan Bray is a lifelong volunteer who has given of her time to hospitals, animal shelters, schools, churches and the Royal Canadian Legion in her community. In 2017, Willis College in Arnprior officially named its learning centre after her to honour her service in the Second World War.

For more than three decades, naval historian Christopher Varley has been involved with the HMCS Cataraqui Association, serving as president, chairing memorial projects, preparing exhibits and publishing the newsletter. He has also promoted the history of the Royal Canadian Navy through his contributions to the Royal Canadian Legion and the Navy League of Canada.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.