Presentation of Honours at the Citadelle of Québec

On Thursday, February 14, 2019, Governor General Julie Payette presented honours to 23 recipients during a ceremony at the Citadelle of Québec. Recipients were recognized with one of the following honours: a Meritorious Service Decoration (Civil Division), a Decoration for Bravery or the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.

In her opening remarks the Governor General thanked recipients for their excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service.

Roland Barbier and Marie Saint Pierre received a Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division).  Together, they founded Opération Sous Zéro, an initiative that discreetly distributes new winter clothing to disadvantaged children. This successful program has outfitted more than 20 000 children in warm winter clothing, allowing them to grow with dignity and avoid being labelled as “in need” by their peers.

Monique Nolett-Ille received a Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) for having been actively involved in promoting and protecting the cultural heritage of her people, the Abenaki Nation. As an Abenaki language teacher and consultant, she has inspired the members of the Odanak community to relearn their mother tongue, which was in danger of becoming extinct. By helping to create a new generation of teachers and by passing on her passion for the language, she has encouraged an entire community to keep its ties with the past.

Noureddine Fard received a Medal of Bravery.  On August 19, 2017, Mr. Fard rescued a man from his burning car in Longueuil, Quebec. Mr. Fard found the unconscious victim inside the smoke-filled vehicle. He grasped him by the shoulders and attempted to pull him out, but realized the man’s feet were caught under the pedals. While a bystander held the victim’s shoulders, Mr. Fard leaned inside and freed the man’s feet. He then proceeded to pull the man to a safer location until emergency services arrived.

Michael Wassill received a Medal of Bravery posthumously. On May 15, 2013, Mr. Wassill sacrificed his life trying to protect a friend who was being threatened by her ex-partner in Ottawa, Ontario. When the assailant showed up at his home, Mr. Wassill sent his friend upstairs to hide. He opened the door but refused to let the man inside. The man then tried to force his way in, but Mr. Wassill blocked him and attempted to push him out. During the struggle, the assailant pinned Mr. Wassill against the wall, fatally wounding him with a concealed weapon before fleeing the premises. Sadly, Mr. Wassill later died of his injuries.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to the late Michael Wassill was received by his mother, Betty-Ann Wassill and his father, René Wassill

Isabelle Ducharme received a Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. A passionate champion of universal accessibility, Ms. Ducharme has encouraged people with limited mobility to explore the world and has promoted better access among members of the tourism and culture industries. As a public speaker and as a volunteer with advocacy organizations such as Kéroul, she has raised the profile of accessibility issues at the national and international levels.

Nathan Clement Yiu received a Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. For the past 14 years, Mr. Yiu has served his community as a cadet, as a camp counsellor and as a Scout with the 11th Toronto Group. Whether he is providing food to Toronto’s homeless or mentoring youth to become responsible citizens, he endeavours to make his community a better place.