Order of Canada - Officers

Gordon John Glenn Asmundson, O.C., S.O.M.
Regina, Saskatchewan

Gordon Asmundson has made major contributions to mental health. This highly published researcher, director of the Anxiety and Illness Behaviour Laboratory, and professor at the University of Regina has guided the next generation of Canadian academic leaders and practitioners in the field. As the co‑director of the Psychology of Pandemics Network, he has contributed to our understanding of COVID‑19-related distress. His seminal work continues to benefit countless people who live with anxiety-related conditions and chronic pain.

Kerry S. Courneya, O.C.
Edmonton, Alberta

Kerry Courneya has shaped health guidelines in cancer care through his innovative work in exercise oncology. A professor of kinesiology at the University of Alberta, he has shown through his research that physical activity can mitigate the effects of cancer treatment while improving quality of life and overall survival rates. His prolific and highly influential work has transformed cancer management in Canada and around the globe.

Keith Stephen Dobson, O.C.
Calgary, Alberta

Renowned psychologist Keith Dobson has advanced mental health treatment worldwide. With expertise in depression and anxiety, he has conducted extensive research to enhance our understanding of the causes behind these illnesses. His contributions focus on evidence-based care, particularly through cognitive behavioural therapies. Moreover, he has developed training programs, and provincial and national guidelines and initiatives to combat stigma in social and professional settings, while advocating for best practices in treatment.

Angela Diane James, O.C.
Richmond Hill, Ontario

Angela James is a trailblazer on and off the ice. Renowned for her goal-scoring ability and physical style, she led the Canadian women’s hockey team to four world championship titles and retired from the sport as a six-time most valuable player. An outspoken advocate for and devoted coach of women’s hockey for all ages, she encourages female participation at all levels and promotes the importance of growing the game so that everyone, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation, has the right to play.

Donald Chisholm McKenzie, O.C., M.S.M.
Sidney, British Columbia

Donald McKenzie is renowned for his expertise in exercise oncology. A sports medicine specialist, he introduced dragon boat paddling to breast cancer survivors, debunking the myth that exercise causes upper-extremity lymphedema in those recovering from the disease. His seminal research into the effects of exercise on tumour biology demonstrated a 35-per-cent reduction in cancer recurrence. Professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and chair of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, he has had a far-reaching impact on the study and practice of kinesiology and medicine in Canada and around the world.

Ivar Mendez, O.C.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Neuroscientist and neurosurgeon Ivar Mendez is committed to eliminating geographic health care inequities in his province and beyond. At the helm of the department of surgery at the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, he has pioneered and advanced robotic technologies to improve the well-being of patients in rural, remote and underserved communities. A devoted philanthropist, he established an eponymous foundation that brings medical expertise to his native Bolivia and worldwide, improving the lives of countless marginalized citizens.

David Saint-Jacques, O.C., O.Q.
Montréal, Quebec

A true polymath, David Saint-Jacques embodies transdisciplinarity. A curious and innovative spirit, he distinguished himself as an engineer and astrophysicist, then as a physician in an Inuit community in Nunavik. Recruited by the Canadian Space Agency as an astronaut, he completed his training with NASA and took part in Expedition 58/59 to the International Space Station, the longest Canadian mission in space to date. Since then, his talents as a popularizer and his enthusiasm have inspired an interest in science and technology for generations of young people.

Order of Canada - Members

Jean Aitcheson, C.M.
Stratford, Ontario

Jean Aitcheson is devoted to helping those in need. In the mid-1990s, this retired nurse and well-respected Rotarian established the Stratford Mission Depot to recycle unused and surplus medicine, medical supplies and equipment from hospitals and hospices. Since then, she and her team of volunteers have tirelessly collected, sorted and shipped donations to communities and countries around the world. Driven to serve humanity above self, she has also organized and led countless medical outreach missions to remote areas, improving the lives of millions of individuals globally.

R. Jamie Anderson, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Jamie Anderson is a visionary leader and community builder. A former senior executive with the Royal Bank of Canada, he devotes his professional expertise to supporting volunteer organizations that focus on youth and education, notably Outward Bound and the Loran Scholarship Foundation. He is also a long-time champion of mental health. As past chair of both the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and its foundation, he coordinated two of the largest fundraising efforts that significantly advanced mental health services and programs in Canada.

Marie-Dominique Beaulieu, C.M., C.Q.
Saint-Irénée, Quebec

Marie-Dominique Beaulieu is a pioneer of family medicine in Canada. Professor emeritus at Université de Montréal, she has stressed the critical role of primary care providers in public health at the provincial and national levels. By supporting rigorous, evidence-based research, she has energized this branch of medicine, previously overlooked in favour of other specialties. She has had a hand in developing clinical practice guidelines and policies, helping to improve the quality and safety of patient care across the country.

John J. M. Bergeron, C.M., C.Q.
Pointe-Claire, Quebec

Biochemist and cell biologist John Bergeron is an innovator in subcellular proteomics. He was instrumental in the discovery of new proteins, and has helped further our understanding of factors influencing cell growth and how hormones send information to cells. Co-founder of Caprion Proteomics and the McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre, he has created eight original patents. A committed volunteer, he served as president of the Human Proteome Organization and remains an active advocate for biomedical science through his contributions to national media sources.

James Thomas Byrnes, C.M., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Jim Byrnes is an award-winning blues musician, a seasoned actor and a champion of charity work. Despite a life-changing accident in 1972, he has continued performing, winning multiple Juno and Maple Blues Awards and enthralling audiences on screen and on stage. A BC Entertainment Hall of Fame inductee, he is also exceedingly generous with his time and talents and supports many charitable organizations and causes, including health promotion, homelessness reduction, addiction care, gang recruitment prevention, and music and art therapy.

André H. Caron, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

André Caron is a pioneer in the study of the effects of media and emerging technologies on children and youth. Professor Emeritus and founding member of Université de Montréal’s Department of Communication, he founded and led the Centre for Youth and Media Studies for over 30 years. A founding member of Youth Media Alliance and MediaSmarts, two organizations that enrich digital content and support media literacy, he also collaborated on the creation of Historica Canada’s Heritage Minutes.

John Collins, C.M.
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

John Collins has helped bring women’s health to the forefront of medicine. As an obstetrician-gynaecologist, professor and mentor, he underscored the value of employing evidence-based research and biostatistics to advance our understanding of reproductive endocrinology. This, in turn, helps health care providers and patients make enlightened decisions regarding fertility options and related treatments. Internationally renowned for his writings, he notably examined the consequences of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, and has served on the editorial boards of such eminent journals as the New England Journal of Medicine.

Patricia Garel, C.M.
Outremont, Quebec

Patricia Garel has widened the scope of child and adolescent psychiatry in Canada. A child psychiatrist at the Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine and clinical associate professor at Université de Montréal, she is internationally renowned for creating Espace Transition, a unique program using art and the creative process to facilitate the social reintegration of hundreds of youths with mental health issues. Supported by an array of partners, this initiative has taken psychiatry out of the hospital, allowing patients to develop their skills in a more human environment conducive to their development.

Staff Sergeant Gary Eugene Goulet (Ret’d), C.M.
Edmonton, Alberta

Gary Goulet is a champion for children living with cancer. While working as a staff sergeant with the Edmonton Police Service, he established, managed and promoted Cops for Cancer, which has evolved from a local head-shaving event into a nationwide movement for childhood cancer research. Since its inception, it has raised over $50 million for the Canadian Cancer Society. By virtue of his leadership, countless law enforcement and emergency services personnel have taken part in fundraising events across the country to engage with and support communities and youth in a positive way.

Allan Edward Gross, C.M., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario

Allan Gross is a trailblazer in orthopaedic surgery. Professor and Bernard Ghert Chair in Lower Extremity Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto, and a surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital, he is a leading expert in bone and cartilage transplantation. He spearheaded the creation of Mount Sinai Allograft Technologies, the first and largest hospital-based tissue bank for cartilage and bone donations in Canada. He pioneered a novel technique that uses donor tissue to replace parts of knees damaged by trauma, a groundbreaking operation now practised across the globe.

Lori Haskell, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Dr. Lori Haskell is a pre-eminent expert on trauma-informed mental health approaches. A clinical psychologist and educator, she provides therapeutic services for survivors, and has helped transform service delivery models and legal processes for victims of abuse. Notably, she developed and delivers front-line training programs on sexual violence for legal, law enforcement and health care professionals. Her groundbreaking work has raised awareness of the impacts of abuse and has positively changed societal, institutional and criminal justice system responses to vulnerable individuals and groups.

Simon Sean Keith, C.M.
Las Vegas, Nevada and Victoria, British Columbia

Simon Keith continues to defy the odds and inspire others. At 21, he became the first athlete in the world to play professional sports after a heart transplant. His eponymous foundation provides financial relief to youth and families affected by organ failure, and raises awareness of organ donation and the need for registered donors, research and government support. He has also propelled the success of non-profit organ procurement organizations worldwide. Since his second transplant in 2019, he has been educating the public as an author and motivational speaker.

Perry R. W. Kendall, C.M., O.B.C.
Victoria, British Columbia

Perry Kendall has dedicated his life to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable Canadians in need. His career in public health spanned almost five decades, culminating in his role as British Columbia’s longest-serving provincial health officer. A steadfast advocate for harm reduction, he founded Insite, the first legal supervised injection site in North America, and convinced the government to declare the province’s opioid crisis a public health emergency. His tenure was equally marked by the respectful and significant partnerships he established with the BC First Nations Health Authority.

Warren Charles Seymour Kimel, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Business and philanthropic leader Warren Kimel has enriched the lives of Canadians at all stages of life. Through his family foundation and his decades-long involvement with Baycrest and Mount Sinai Hospital, he has overseen and supported transformative research in the health, safety and well-being of seniors with degenerative brain disorders. A pioneering champion of mental health, he is a long-standing supporter of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Sick Kids Hospital. His unwavering commitment to his Jewish faith and community at large inspires others to do the same.

Philippe Lette, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec and London, England

Philippe Lette is a distinguished attorney of comparative law. At the helm of Lette, Lette & Partners, he solidified the international reputation of this Montréal-based firm. A strong voice for Canadian interests abroad, he has served as legal counsel to the Government of Canada and to diplomatic missions in France, as well as president of the France-Canada Chamber of Commerce. He is actively involved with McGill University and has established scholarships for the study of comparative law. Dedicated to philanthropic causes, he serves as chair of the IF International Foundation, which provides assistance for medical aid and the emancipation of women in disadvantaged countries, and supports mental health research.

Ginette Mantha, C.M.
Longueuil, Quebec

For decades, Ginette Mantha has been devoted to helping Quebec families facing the challenges of prematurity. Founder and Director of Préma-Québec, she has helped to improve the quality of life of premature infants by offering their parents educational, psychological and financial support, be it in hospital, intensive care or at home. A passionate advocate, she has mobilized partners in the neonatal medical community to develop a more humane model of care, allowing families to truly enjoy the precious moment of bringing a premature baby into the world.

Jean Eleanor Marmoreo, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Jean Marmoreo has touched the lives of thousands of patients at all stages of life. Evolving her practice to focus on women and their challenging life transitions, she has become an advocate for the holistic care of this demographic among colleagues and the public alike. As one of Canada’s first doctors trained in Medical Assistance in Dying, she provides guidance to organizations and contributes to public policy debates on this critical issue.

Heather Mary McGregor, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Heather McGregor is a true visionary leader. As the CEO of YWCA Toronto for three decades, she spearheaded innovative programs and services for girls and women, and gave a voice to members of marginalized communities, refugees and newcomers to Canada. Her greatest achievement, the YWCA Elm Centre, is one of the largest affordable housing projects in Canada, which is admired by civic leaders the world over. A dedicated mentor, she empowers women to become the next generation of leaders within the YWCA and throughout the non-profit sector.

Roderick McKendrick, C.M. 
Regina, Saskatchewan

Rod McKendrick is a trusted ally who gives a voice to victims of violence. This former police officer has helped develop legislation, public policies and programs at the provincial, national and international levels to reduce and prevent violence and abuse. Widely recognized as an expert in the field, he provides police and front-line staff with training and tools on victimology. With a lifelong commitment to helping others and making a difference, he is also a devoted board member of Optimist International, its Canadian Children’s Foundation, and the PrairieAction Foundation.

Pradeep Merchant, C.M.
Greely, Ontario

Pradeep Merchant has made enduring contributions to many communities. A medical doctor, he is the site chief of neonatology at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus and a long-time board member of the hospital’s foundation. His steadfast leadership in the Indian-Canadian community has helped promote and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, notably through the establishment of Carleton University’s Canada-India Centre for Excellence and the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber. He has leveraged his success to benefit others by raising funds for societal upliftment, scholarships, business development and cultural exchanges.

Donna Ouchterlony, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Donna Ouchterlony is a leading brain injury expert. A founder of the first inpatient neuro-rehabilitation unit in Canada, she ardently promoted multidisciplinary care, pioneered treatment techniques, and led the largest head injury clinic in the country. She helped establish multiple organizations to improve patient care and also contributed to the guidelines for standardized concussion management. Throughout her decades-long career, she has helped thousands of patients directly through her clinical practice and has positively impacted many more through her research and policy work.

Harriet Stairs, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Harriet Stairs has enhanced inclusion and equity in banking. Rising through the ranks over the course of her 32-year career with BMO, she retired as executive vice-president of human resources. She created a successful global HR strategy that bolstered opportunities for women and visible minorities through the development of equitable succession planning and flexible benefit arrangements. An agent of change in the broader community, she is lauded for her loyal support for higher education, health care, mental health and the arts.

Mac Van Wielingen, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta

Mac Van Wielingen is an exemplary leader. An esteemed front runner in Alberta’s financial and energy sectors, he has dedicated his career to building businesses forged on ethical leadership and sound corporate governance. As co-founder and past chair of the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business at the University of Calgary, he is a sought-after mentor to the next generation of business leaders. His commitment to social responsibility and strong communities has benefitted numerous charities in the areas of mental health and wellness, homelessness and organizational capacity building.

Peter Zandstra, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Peter Zandstra is a pioneer in the field of stem cell bioengineering. Director of the School of Biomedical Engineering and the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia, he uses innovative interdisciplinary approaches in his research to develop engineered cellular therapies. His groundbreaking work has yielded clinically and industrially relevant applications for tissue repair and cancer therapy. Internationally sought after for his expertise, he has influenced the growth of investment, jobs and research in the field of regenerative medicine, positioning Canada as a leader in academia and industry.

Lynn Margaret Zimmer, C.M. 
Peterborough, Ontario

Throughout her distinguished career, Lynn Zimmer has championed the issue of violence against women. The former executive director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, she is also a founding member of Interval House, the first women’s shelter in Canada to spearhead essential services for victims of abuse. She is a mentor with the Trudeau Foundation and a member of the advisory council on Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-based Violence. She was also the first woman appointed board chair of the Service Community Unit of the Peterborough Police Service.

Meritorious Service Decorations - Crosses

Nimo Hagi Abubakar, M.S.C.
Ottawa, Ontario

Surgeon Nimo Abubakar has been transforming the health care system of Borama, Somaliland, Somalia, since 2003. After visiting family and witnessing the dire state of health care in the region, she took matters into her own hands and helped reorganize the city’s medical institutions. Through her ongoing support, hospitals have obtained more funding, specialized equipment and training in maternal care.

Ornella Marina Marinic, M.S.C.
Dundas, Ontario

Sabrina Rubli, M.S.C.
Oxford Mills, Ontario

Ornella Marinic and Sabrina Rubli founded the non-profit Femme International, which provides women in East Africa with education and sustainable products to independently manage their menstrual cycles. Thanks to their efforts, more than 16 000 kits have been distributed, enabling girls to stay in school and participate in community activities.

Phyllis M.C. Webstad, M.S.C.
Williams Lake, British Columbia

Phyllis Webstad inspired Orange Shirt Day, observed on September 30, when Canadians show their support for residential school survivors by wearing orange. She courageously shared her story, seen through a child’s eyes, of her first day at residential school, when her special orange shirt was taken away. Her poignant memories have generated a better understanding of the impact of the Indian Residential School System and the importance of reconciliation.

Maayan Miryam Ziv, M.S.C.
Toronto, Ontario

Maayan Ziv is the founder of AccessNow, a platform that uses crowdsourced information to rate and map the accessibility of businesses, public spaces and parks. Her experience with muscular dystrophy inspired Maayan to tackle the limitations of inaccessible spaces by developing a resource that empowers people to navigate the world freely and independently. In use in more than 100 countries, AccessNow remains an essential tool in identifying and removing barriers.

Meritorious Service Decorations - Medals

Alicia Aragutak, M.S.M.
Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (Quebec)

Alicia Aragutak is the founder and first president of the Qarjuit Youth Council, a non-profit organization that provides youth in Nunavik and Chisasibi with programs that promote Inuit culture, traditional and modern educational opportunities, and personal well-being. The council also encourages young Inuit to get involved by sharing their concerns and priorities with various levels of government throughout the Arctic and Canada.

Gary Lawrence Blair, M.S.M.
Earl Steven Pinchuk, M.S.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Gary Blair and Earl Pinchuk created The Art for Healing Foundation in 2002. Thanks to their efforts, over 13 500 inspiring works of art have been installed in 90 hospitals and health care facilities across Canada, creating environments that foster serenity and hope in patients, their families and care providers.

Catherine Blanchette-Dallaire, M.S.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Four months in a wheelchair following an accident inspired Catherine Blanchette-Dallaire to found OnRoule.org. This initiative identifies and shares information about local services and housing throughout Quebec. With the aim of fostering inclusion and independence, OnRoule.org reduces isolation and barriers to social participation for people with disabilities.

Jenny Carver, M.S.M.
Georgian Bluffs, Ontario

Jenny Carver is the founding executive director of Stella’s Place, a charitable organization that provides innovative mental health services to young adults in Toronto. Through her impassioned commitment to engaging young adults in program co-design, she led the development of effective clinical, peer support, employment and recovery services. Stella’s Place provides much-needed access to a range of mental health services for hundreds of young adults and their families each year.

Roopan David, M.S.M.
Seema David, M.S.M.
Scarborough, Ontario

In 2013, Roopan and Seema David founded 5n2 Kitchens to help those in need in high-risk communities around Toronto. After immigrating to Canada from India, the pair were surprised by the high levels of poverty that existed in their new country. By investing personal funds and much of their time, they have secured space, built partnerships, engaged volunteers and encouraged people to donate in order to provide weekly meals to vulnerable clients, particularly those of drop-in programs and community housing developments.

Allan Frank De Genova, M.S.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Al De Genova is dedicated to giving back to those who serve and protect Canada. In 2010, he founded the Honour House Society to support injured and ill military members and veterans, first responders and their families during treatment and rehabilitation. At the Honour Ranch, the charity provides specialized care for individuals affected by operational stress injuries. To date, the organization has saved families thousands of dollars in accommodation costs.

Gloria Dennis, M.S.M.
Alexandra, Prince Edward Island

Julie Devon Dodd, M.S.M.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Kirstin Lund, M.S.M.
Stratford, Prince Edward Island

In 2007, Gloria Dennis, Julie Devon Dodd and Kirstin Lund created Circles of Safety for women at high risk after leaving abusive relationships. Community and government service providers, family, employers and friends come together in a facilitated circle with individual women to help them devise a comprehensive safety plan. The first of its kind in Canada, the program has been adopted in other regions to help survivors of intimate partner violence feel supported, confident and safe.
The Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Julie Devon Dodd was previously presented to her.

Karine Descôteaux, M.S.M.
Trois-Rivières, Quebec

As head of the Association éducative et récréative des aveugles, Karine Descôteaux strives to raising awareness of visual impairment to overcome members’ isolation by offering planned adapted technology training, conferences and local excursions using public transportation. Her efforts are empowering people with a visual impairment and protecting their rights.

Gareth James Michael Doherty, M.S.M.
Gatineau, Quebec

Gareth Doherty demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication in developing the Total Health and Wellness Strategy of Canada’s Department of National Defence. With the goal of promoting well-being and suicide prevention among thousands of military personnel, civilian employees and their families, this successful program has more than proven its worth.

Linda M. S. Eagen, M.S.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Visionary leader Linda Eagen is a champion for cancer patients and survivors. During her tenure as CEO of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, she led efforts to establish Canada’s first Cancer Survivorship Centre, which opened in 2011, as well as a cancer coaching program. The centre has since provided much-needed resources and support services to survivors, and has helped them stay physically and mentally healthy following treatment.

Brother Réjean Gadouas, M.S.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

A renowned leader in mutual assistance and social justice in Gatineau, Brother Réjean Gadouas initiated and was a founding member of La Manne de l’Île, a food bank supporting those in need in the Outaouais. By giving them the tools they need to achieve food security and stave off social exclusion, he helps them to regain the confidence and self-esteem they need to reintegrate into society.

Larry Gauthier, M.S.M.
Rick Goodwin, M.S.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Larry Gauthier and Rick Goodwin founded The Men’s Project in 1997, in response to the lack of mental health services available to men who have been sexually abused as children or sexually assaulted as adults. Their pioneering work helped pave the way for service providers to specialize in male sexual trauma recovery throughout Canada, and their advocacy for trauma-informed and gender-inclusive approaches has shifted the broader fields of therapy, victim services and anti-violence initiatives.

Vanessa Rowena Gloria Génier, M.S.M.
Timmins, Ontario

Vanessa Génier, of the Missanabie Cree First Nation, founded Quilts for Survivors in 2021, in response to the discovery of unmarked graves at Kamloops Indian Residential School. With donations of fabric and money, she and her volunteers have made thousands of quilts, each one smudged before being sent to survivors.

Marlene V. Grass, M.S.M.
Oshawa, Ontario

Marlene Grass founded the Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre in 1989. Today, it supports more than 2 000 children and adults living with type 1 diabetes, through initial diagnosis, educational programs and home visits. Innovative in its approach to educating younger clients and offering continuous support into adulthood, it has been highly successful in helping patients and their families adjust to this life-altering condition.

Noel Kubluitok Kaludjak, M.S.M.
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut

Noel Kaludjak founded Angutiit Makgiangninga–Men Rising Up, a men’s support network with a mission to build stronger family structures, reduce family violence, and heal from the past. Group discussions focus on overcoming addictions and managing anger, and foster a sense of belonging and acceptance among participants.

Sandra Lambert, M.S.M.
Neuville, Quebec

Following the death of her 12-year-old daughter Laura, Sandra Lambert founded Laura Lémerveil in 2008, an organization offering specialized services to family caregivers and their children with multiple disabilities, supporting their right to self-fulfillment. The organization has five points of service across eastern Quebec.

Robert Lavigne, M.S.M.
Estérel, Quebec

Dr. Robert Lavigne has devoted his life to supporting those in need and improving access to health services. In 1987, he founded Les Demeures Sainte-Croix, a not-for-profit organization that, true to its original mission, continues to provide affordable housing to independent and semi-independent seniors in a healthy, safe, harmonious and dynamic environment.

Pat Lazo, M.S.M.
Steve Wilson, M.S.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Pat Lazo and Steve Wilson founded Graffiti Art Programming (GAP) Inc. in Winnipeg’s Point Douglas neighbourhood. With a focus on urban art forms, the non-profit organization provides a gallery space for exhibits from established and emerging artists, free educational arts programs, and practical skills training for youth. Over the last two decades, the initiative has spread to other inner-city neighbourhoods, where art is used to spur self-confidence, community development and social change.

Brian Leavitt, M.S.M.
Eric Rajah, A.O.E., M.S.M.
Lacombe, Alberta

Brian Leavitt and Eric Rajah are the founders of A Better World Canada, a charitable organization that tackles poverty in some of the world’s poorest regions and here at home. Community partnership is a key element of its success in building schools, wells, health care resources and income-generating ventures in developing countries. Leading by example, the pair has motivated many dedicated volunteers and encouraged young people to become engaged humanitarian leaders.

Martine Laurier, M.S.M.

Normand Martin, M.S.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Martine Laurier and Dr. Normand Martin actively raised awareness of suicide prevention and mental health issues among members of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal. Through various programs, they reduced stigma, supported members of the police brotherhood in talking about these issues and helped many people who were suffering in silence.

The Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Martine Laurier was previously presented to her.

Steve Mesler, M.S.M.
Calgary, Alberta

Leigh Parise, M.S.M.
New York City, USA

Olympic gold medalist Steve Mesler and Dr. Leigh Parise co-founded Classroom Champions, an international non-profit and charity organization that brings together world-class athletes and children to teach critical social and emotional learning skills needed to succeed inside and outside the classroom. Facilitated across North America, Classroom Champions programming helps kids achieve their goals, demonstrate perseverance and empathy, and dream big.

Barbara Pasternak, M.S.M.
North York, Ontario

Barbara Pasternak founded the Diabetes Hope Foundation in 1999. Inspired by her two young sons who were both diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, she was motivated to help other families cope with the emotional, social and financial impacts of this disease. The foundation helps Canadian youth live successfully within and beyond diabetes by creating and providing scholarships, mentorship and mental health peer-support programs, as well as funding for diabetes supplies and partnerships to improve access to care.

Caitlin Justine Schwartz, M.S.M.
Setareh Ziai, M.S.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Drs. Caitlin Schwartz and Setareh Ziai founded Canadian Women in Medicine to connect, inspire and support women physicians. Through advocacy, mentorship and recognition, CWIM seeks to establish a more positive work culture with an emphasis on gender equity, and to strengthen professional and societal support for women in this field.

Jacques-Denis Simard, M.S.M.
Jacques Simoneau, M.S.M.
Québec, Quebec

In an effort to help military personnel, veterans, police officers and first responders going through difficult times, Jacques-Denis Simard and Jacques Simoneau founded the La Vigile therapy centre. The only one of its kind in Quebec, this centre specializes in the treatment of various addictions, depressions and traumas and provides support and assistance to people who have gone through life-altering experiences while on the job.

The Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Jacques Simoneau was previously presented to him.

William C. Brooks, M.S.M.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Georges Edward Potvin, M.S.M.
Gatineau, Quebec

William Frederick George Williams, M.S.M.
Greely, Ontario

Will Brooks, Georges Potvin and Bill Williams founded the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to honouring all Canadian firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Since its launch in 2003, the group has established an annual memorial ceremony and erected a national monument in Ottawa to highlight the important role that the profession plays in keeping Canadians safe. Through support programs, bursaries and scholarships for surviving families, the foundation fosters a network of support within the firefighting community. The foundation also encourages and supports all efforts to make firefighters physically and mentally well.

The Meritorious Service Medals awarded to William Brooks and Georges Potvin were previously presented to them.

Marion Willis, M.S.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Marion Willis is the founder of St. Boniface Street Links and its unique, 12-bed addiction recovery residence, Morberg House. Set in a home-like environment, the two-year program focuses on mental health, identifying childhood and complex trauma and treating the root causes of substance abuse. Emerging as an innovative model to treat opioid and methamphetamine addictions, Morberg House offers a highly impactful alternative to conventional treatment methods.

Brandon Arkinson, M.S.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Committed to addressing homelessness and helping those in need in Greater Toronto, Brandon Arkinson founded Moving Hope, an organization that provides basic clothing and hygiene products through a dozen shelters across the city. By supporting the most vulnerable members of his community, he is restoring their dignity and helping to reduce the stigma associated with homelessness.

Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers

Brandon Arkinson
Toronto, Ontario

Over the past 15 years, Brandon Arkinson has been dedicated to helping others, notably advocating for affordable housing and leading anti-bullying seminars. He is an active board member of the Neill-Wycik Cooperative College, serving on several committees and leading community mediations between co-op residents.