Officer of the Order of Canada
Daniel Gérald Lavoie, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
Singer-songwriter Daniel Lavoie is a prominent ambassador for French-Canadian culture. Rocketing to the top of the charts with the hit single Ils s’aiment, he further distinguished himself as an original cast member of Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most successful musicals in Quebec’s music and entertainment industry. An actor, poet and radio host, he has received numerous awards, attesting to the influence of his work both at home and abroad.
Member of the Order of Canada
Louis André Borfiga, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Louis Borfiga has helped Canadian tennis reach unprecedented heights. Recruited to Tennis Canada as vice-president of high performance, he spearheaded its elite development program and is considered to be the key player behind its evolution into a tennis superpower. Renowned for his extensive expertise and training methods, he instilled a winning mindset and culture of humble confidence among a dedicated team of coaches and athletes. Under his leadership, they have won major titles at the junior and professional levels, many for the first time in history.
Recipients of Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division)
Évelyne Comte, M.S.M.
Supt, France
Évelyne Comte was the driving force behind the creation of the memorial in Supt dedicated to the memory of the members of the Canadian Forestry Corps who lost their lives in the French Jura during the First World War. Through her efforts in the duty to remember, she has helped to raise awareness of the important contribution that the volunteers of Canada’s No. 2 Construction Battalion, made up of hundreds of Black soldiers, made to the war effort.
Simon Marc Godly, M.S.M.
Dompierre-sur-Authie, France
For more than two decades, Simon Godly has been preserving Canada’s First World War history in northern France and Belgium. He maintains an informational website and provides battlefield tours to visitors. His work on the 15th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force Memorial Project led to the creation of seven new memorials.
Yves Le Maner, M.S.M.
Saint-Laurent-en-Brionnais, France
Director of the Histoire, Mémoire, Commémoration mission at the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Regional Council, Yves Le Maner played a key role in creating the Vimy 1917 The Underground War of Canadians exhibition, presented at the Lens 14-18 museum. In partnership with Canadian authorities, he also ensured the success of the commemorations marking the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which honoured the sacrifices and important role of Canadian soldiers who fought in northern France during the Great War.
Nathalie Worthington, M.S.M.
Courseulles-sur-Mer, France
Nathalie Worthington has demonstrated exemplary leadership as director of the Juno Beach Centre in France. Her expertise and dedication have made it possible for this memorial and cultural centre to grow and to raise awareness among younger generations of the contributions and sacrifices of Canadians during the Second World War.