Companion
Alan Bernstein, C.C., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario
Alan Bernstein has made exceptional contributions to the advancement of science and fundamental research worldwide. As president emeritus of the Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Research, this visionary leader has elevated the organization to first-rate levels. A champion of early-career researchers, he has made a lasting impact on the country and its health research and scientific communities, notably as a member of Canada’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.
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Officers
Johnny N. Adams, O.C., C.Q.
Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (Quebec)
A leading business entrepreneur and pilot, Johnny Adams has helped transform the economic and social development of Nunavik and beyond. He co-founded several regional air services including Atai Air Charters, Heli-Ungava, Nunavik Rotors and InnuKoptères, and notably served in the merger between First Air and Canadian North, the premier Inuit-owned airline connecting communities across Canada. His dedication to Indigenous-owned organizations is reflected in his many public- and private-sector endeavours.
Ian Burton, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
University of Toronto professor emeritus Ian Burton is a scientist and policy advisor specializing in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. His work demonstrates the importance of development planning for natural hazards, and examines how the social and cultural factors of globalization affect human adaptation to climate change. His expertise has been sought by numerous organizations, including the United Nations.
Ronald James Deibert, O.C., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario
Ron Deibert is a stalwart defender of international online communications. As founder and director of the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, he oversees an interdisciplinary team that studies cyber security issues associated with human rights concerns. His groundbreaking research includes innovations in censorship circumvention, and reports on internet filtering and surveillance practices by rogue governments and private corporations. An esteemed author and academic, he is also a revered mentor to the next generation of experts in digital technology and security.
Irwin Elman, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Irwin Elman is esteemed for his consummate advocacy of society’s young people. As Ontario's first independent provincial advocate for children and youth, he spearheaded listening tours that encourage youth to share their perspectives with advocacy organizations and governments. His legacy has ensured fundamental shifts in the child welfare system, including increased educational supports for children in care and more resources for youth transitioning out of the system.
Victor Jay Garber, O.C.
London, Ontario and New York, New York, United States of America
Victor Garber is a veteran of the stage and screen. Adept at playing comedic, dramatic and musical roles, this accomplished actor has been in some of the most memorable Hollywood and Broadway productions of the past four decades. From television’s Alias and such award-winning films as Titanic and Argo, to legendary theatre performances, he is celebrated as one of the industry’s most versatile and enduring actors. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes more than six decades ago, he is also an outspoken advocate for living beyond the disease.
Paula Beth Gordon, O.C., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Paula Gordon is a trailblazer in women’s health care. She established an ultrasound-guided technique that significantly reduced the need for surgery in breast cancer treatment, and discovered that ultrasound could detect cancers not seen on mammography, prompting a worldwide shift in the breast cancer screening paradigm. An acclaimed clinical professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of British Columbia, she is also a volunteer medical advisor at Dense Breasts Canada. Her dedicated advocacy has contributed to policy changes in screening procedures across Canada.
Laurence Archibald Gray, O.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Laurence Gray is internationally recognized for his innovative work on the use of airborne and satellite radars to document change in polar sea and glacial ice. A long-time scientist with the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, he developed new techniques for mapping the movement of glaciers in both the Arctic and Antarctic. This work has allowed scientists to better document the impacts of climate change on the polar regions and its influence on global sea levels through glacial ice melt.
Eva Grunfeld, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Eva Grunfeld is easing the journey for thousands of Canadians diagnosed with cancer each year. A clinician-scientist and University of Toronto professor, she is internationally recognized for her research in cancer care integration and survivorship. Co-creator of the renowned BETTER program, which trains health professionals in the area of cancer and chronic disease prevention and screening, she has proven that increased collaboration between primary care providers and oncologists results in improved access to and quality of care for patients. A revered research leader, mentor and speaker, she has had a profound global impact on this field.
Bernard Joseph Lapointe, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
Bernard Lapointe is an innovator in palliative care in Canada. A professor at McGill University, he provided decisive leadership in advancing clinical practice at a time when the discipline was in its infancy. He has helped develop palliative care through his involvement with provincial and national organizations, including the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, serving as its president. A renowned educator, he has dedicated himself to training and clinical teaching in end-of-life care, leading many health professionals to work in this specialty, so vital to respecting human dignity.
Andreas Laupacis, O.C.
Arthur, Ontario
Andreas Laupacis has left an indelible mark on Canadian health care. An acclaimed clinical epidemiologist and investigator, he popularized the concept of the number needed to treat—a global measurement used to characterize the benefits and harms of treatment. As an influential leader of such organizations as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and the Canadian Medical Association Journal, and as founder of the Healthy Debate platform, he has translated research into policy and increased its accessibility. He is also a renowned champion for patient involvement in health care.
David Frederick Ley, O.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
David Ley is one of the world's most influential urban scholars. Professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, he has provided insight through his groundbreaking work in human geography, which examines the relationship between people and their geographical environments. He is a long-time Canada Research Chair and former co-principal investigator of the Metropolis Project, and his prescient publications have helped shape international scholarly debate in the field, resulting in novel policy approaches that have enriched our communities and our lives.
Bruce Poon Tip, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip has transformed tourism by connecting travellers with local people, their cultures and their economies. His company now operates on all seven continents, employing thousands and contracting services from local small businesses worldwide. Since 2003, Poon Tip’s Planeterra Foundation has further supported community tourism enterprises to help celebrate cultures, protect natural environments and improve people’s lives by "turning travel into impact" around the globe.
Members
Shelley Diane Ambrose, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Shelley Ambrose is passionate about Canada and its stories. As a reporter, producer, publisher and executive, she created space for broad dialogue and encouraged people to examine what it means to be Canadian. Under her leadership, the renowned not-for-profit foundation, The Walrus, reached new heights, creating multiple platforms for the Canadian conversation—from coast to coast to coast. A dedicated, lifelong volunteer, she has contributed to a wide range of causes including literacy, nature conservation, the North, Canada-U.S. relations, and the arts.
Joe Brock Average, C.M., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Joe Average is a revered Vancouver artist, human rights activist and philanthropist. His colourful, pop-inflected images have adorned Vancouver’s cityscape since the late 1980s. Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at age 27, he used his art to advocate for people living with HIV, and shared his personal story to raise awareness of the stigma associated with AIDS. He has donated his work to support charitable organizations that support people with terminal illnesses.
Savage Bear, C.M.
Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan
Savage Bear blends academia and activism as a collaborator, advocate and leading scholar of Indigenous studies. The first permanent director of the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute, she previously was the academic lead and co-creator of the massive open online course, Indigenous Canada. Her multifaceted contributions also include bringing post-secondary education to incarcerated folks, co-producing the Tipi Confessions storytelling series, and co-leading the Walking With Our Sisters memorial art installation.
John William Beaucage, C.M.
Parry Sound, Ontario
John Beaucage (Eyaabay) is a respected leader and knowledge holder. A pipe carrier from the Bear Clan and member of the Wasauksing First Nation, he has assumed many roles throughout his lifetime, including those of politician, negotiator, mediator, board director, volunteer and public servant. This former chief of the Grand Council of the Anishinabek Nation has shown deep commitment to advancing the well-being and prosperity of Indigenous communities in Canada.
Stephen Alfred Bell, C.M., O.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Steve Bell is a modern-day troubadour. A Christian music singer-songwriter and guitarist, he founded the independent record label Signpost Music. He has released 20 acclaimed albums, and has won numerous JUNO, Western Canadian Music and Gospel Music Association awards. An advocate for community causes, he was a co-founder of the Churches for Freedom Road coalition that allied with Shoal Lake 40 First Nation to successfully campaign for safe access to the Trans-Canada Highway. His poetic craft and drive for social justice continues to inspire Canadians nationwide.
bill bissett, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
A revered poet, painter and musician, bill bissett is a pre-eminent figure of the 1960s counterculture movement in Canada. His poetry collections, which combine sound and visual elements with printed works, are acclaimed for breaking down artificial barriers between the arts. He is also the esteemed co-founder of the Secret Handshake Gallery in Toronto’s Kensington Market, Canada’s first and only peer-support facility for people with schizophrenia.
Sheila Ruth Block, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Sheila Block has been a trailblazer for women in the legal profession. For 50 years at Torys LLP, she has pursued a civil litigation practice in diverse fields, and has often argued with great skill and conviction before the Supreme Court of Canada. She has widely shared her expertise in trial and arbitration advocacy in Canada and abroad, including at the war crimes tribunals in Rwanda and Sierra Leone. Her passion for social justice is equally demonstrated through her pro bono counsel and volunteer work.
Normand Caissie, C.M., O.N.B.
Richibucto, New Brunswick
Normand Caissie is a celebrated CEO in New Brunswick’s manufacturing industry. Leaders in air distribution and building products for four decades, his companies are a major economic driver in the province, providing hundreds of local jobs and garnering national and international recognition. He is also an esteemed mentor who is admired for supporting young entrepreneurs and new businesses, notably through the Wallace McCain Institute and Junior Achievements New Brunswick.
Elder Harley Kim Crowshoe, C.M.
Piikani Nation, Alberta
Harley Crowshoe embeds Indigenous cultural knowledge and approaches into groundbreaking initiatives in his province and beyond. Honorary chief of the Piikani Nation and a retired RCMP officer, he is an esteemed advisor on issues of Indigenous policing, and has made significant contributions to health care. In teaching Indigenous values to clinicians, researchers and policymakers, he has helped improve the outcomes and experiences of Indigenous peoples and communities across Canada.
Rola Dagher, C.M.
Oakville, Ontario
Through her inspiring and impactful leadership, Rola Dagher has significantly contributed to the advancement of technology in Canada and abroad. Arriving in this country as a young refugee, she acquired industry skills through various roles, culminating in her position as global channel chief of Dell Technologies. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, she champions the use of technology to provide Canadians with equal access to mental health support.
Douglas Allen Dunsmore, C.M.
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Douglas Dunsmore has brought the gift of song to audiences far and wide. Former director of Memorial University’s choral activities and the Bruneau Centre for Excellence in Choral Music, he was a beloved mentor to students, many of whom have become celebrated choral conductors, composers and artistic directors. His legacy in the province is vast: he co-founded the Philharmonic Choir of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, served as artistic co-director of Newfoundland’s Festival 500, and was a leader in choral development at Choral Canada and with the National Youth Choir.
Wendy Ruth Eisen, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Wendy Eisen has enhanced the welfare of Jewish people and the broader Canadian community. For several decades she was a leading activist in the global Soviet Jewry movement, advocating on behalf of Jews who desired to emigrate from the former Soviet Union. An exceptional fundraiser, a passionate volunteer leader and a philanthropist in the local, national and health care arenas, she remains active in combating the scourge of antisemitism.
Jayanne English, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr. Jayanne English has fused artistic literacy and aesthetics with scientific visualization. As an associate professor at the University of Manitoba, she has trained the next generation of experts, and emphasized the links between art and science. By engaging with international groups, providing numerous public outreach activities and closely collaborating with world-renowned, multidisciplinary artists, she has deepened our understanding of the structure of galaxies, opening our eyes to the universe.
John Fleetham, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
For more than four decades, John Fleetham has been a leader in the field of respiratory and sleep disorder medicine. A professor at the University of British Columbia, he founded the Vancouver Coastal Health Sleep Disorder Program and has served in a variety of national leadership positions. He is admired for his extensive publications and for his mentorship of the next generation of clinician scientists.
Janine Elizabeth Fuller, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Janine Fuller is a lifelong champion of intellectual freedom and an advocate for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. At Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium in Vancouver, she played an instrumental role in the shop’s fight against censorship, which led to a landmark Supreme Court of Canada ruling and a breakthrough in the recognition of 2SLGBTQI+ rights. As someone living with Huntingdon’s disease, she has been a beacon of hope for others with the condition.
Rosemary Burns Ganley, C.M.
Peterborough, Ontario
Rosemary Ganley is a long-time advocate for human rights, gender equity and social justice. In 1980, she co-founded Jamaican Self Help to support community-chosen initiatives in Jamaica and drive interest in international development among young service-trip volunteers from Canada. A prolific columnist, she was a Canadian delegate to the United Nations World Conference on Women, and served on the Gender Equality Advisory Council of the G7.
Joan Heather Garson, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Joan Garson has led numerous national and international Jewish not-for-profit organizations. Past president of Holy Blossom Temple, New Israel Fund of Canada and ARZENU International Reform Zionists, she advocates for the inclusion of Reform Judaism within all sectors of Israeli life, while raising public awareness across Canada. She provides an important Canadian perspective on often divisive international issues, and supports civil and human rights while engaging in peaceful discourse.
Paul Joseph Gauthier, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Disability rights activist Paul Gauthier is committed to increasing the visibility and full integration of people living with disabilities. Initiator of British Columbia’s Choice in Supports for Independent Living, and co-founder of the Individualized Funding Resource Centre Society, he is a steadfast advocate for the removal of systemic barriers and the implementation of progressive policies. He is also a celebrated five-time boccia Paralympian.
Charles William Gordon, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Compelling storyteller Charles Gordon has made Canada a better place and Canadians a well-informed people. A long-time columnist for the Ottawa Citizen and Maclean’s magazine, he gained national prominence for his wit, analysis and insightful commentary on a wide range of topics, including politics, social issues and global events. His best-selling books, At the Cottage and The Canada Trip, are celebrations of all things Canadian.
Hamlin Washington Grange, C.M.
Courtice, Ontario
Hamlin Grange is a passionate change agent for social justice. Devoted to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, he founded the diversity consultancy DiversiPro and co-founded the non-profit organization Innoversity. A former journalist and beloved mentor, he is praised for his efforts to increase the representation and participation of racialized groups in society and media. As a volunteer with the YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Toronto Police Services Board, and the Responsible Gambling Council, he continues to strive towards a more inclusive Canada.
Franklyn Griffiths, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Franklyn Griffiths is one of Canada's early scholars of Arctic international relations. Now professor emeritus and George Ignatieff Chair Emeritus of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Toronto, he helped shape the West's understanding of Soviet politics through his seminal writings on Russian affairs. He also played a prominent role in the formation of the Arctic Council, advocating direct Indigenous participation as a key tenet of circumpolar co-operation.
Feridun Hamdullahpur, C.M.
Waterloo, Ontario
Feridun Hamdullahpur has helped shape Canada’s research and higher education landscape. An esteemed academic leader, he served as dean and vice-president of several eminent universities where he promoted entrepreneurialism and participation in a global delivery education model. As president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, he developed the school’s co-operative education program into the largest of its kind in the world. A tireless advocate for women in education, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion through his work as a United Nations HeForShe Champion.
Colleen Patricia Jones, C.M.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Colleen Jones is a legend in Canada’s curling community. Her celebrated skip’s championship record is among the best in the history of the sport. Throughout her four-decade-long athletic career, she raised the profile of women curlers and of women in sports in general. Off the ice, she has been a long-time CBC News reporter and television commentator for the Olympic Games. A role model to the next generation of female players, she has had an immeasurable impact on the sport.
Martin F. Katz, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Martin Katz is a leader in Canadian media. Founder and president of Prospero Pictures, he is renowned for his industry experience, notably in the production of such award-winning feature films as A Dangerous Method, Maps to the Stars and Hotel Rwanda. As former chair of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, he oversaw its revitalization, as well as the creation of the Canadian Screen Awards. His contributions to the country’s cultural landscape extend beyond the screen as a founding board member of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
Karina Chenelle LeBlanc, C.M.
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Karina LeBlanc is a global force in soccer. A national team goalkeeper for 17 years, she helped achieve notable finishes for Canada, including at five FIFA Women’s World Cups and two Olympic Games. Using her success in sport as a platform for social change, she inspires girls to dream big through her eponymous foundation, motivational speaking and service as a UNICEF ambassador. Former head of women’s soccer for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), she now shares her expertise as general manager of the Portland Thorns.
Frederick John Longstaffe, C.M.
Ilderton, Ontario
Frederick Longstaffe is a trailblazer in stable isotope geochemistry. Distinguished professor at Western University and Canada Research Chair in Stable Isotope Science, he has served as the school’s dean of science, provost and vice-president academic. His original research and its groundbreaking applications within a wide range of scientific fields—from paleoclimatology to anthropology—have impacted industry and have furthered our understanding of important issues affecting our world. He has also been a leader within myriad organizations, including the Geological Association of Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
John Robert Lounds, C.M.
Whitby, Ontario
For decades, John Lounds was the president and CEO of the Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC). Under his leadership, the NCC created and fostered relationships with governments, conservation groups and Indigenous communities to help protect more than 14 million hectares of land and water nationwide. He spearheaded the largest Canadian conservation fundraising campaign in history, which helped the NCC further protect the habitat of at-risk plants and wildlife. A past governor of the University of Waterloo, he continues to support community organizations and nature conservation initiatives.
Bruno Gottfried Marti, C.M., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Bruno Marti is a world-class chef who has advanced the culinary arts in British Columbia and Canada. The retired owner of La Belle Auberge, an award-winning restaurant in Ladner, British Columbia, he is lauded for his leadership in gastronomy on the world stage. He has mentored Canadian chefs for over four decades, and has coached and led teams in international competitions, including the Culinary Olympics.
Theresa Helen Matthias, C.M.
London, Ontario
Internationally esteemed for her artistic talent, mouth painter Susie Matthias is dedicated to eradicating stereotypes. Her paintings have graced public galleries and private collections worldwide; one was featured on a Canada Post stamp, and others have adorned greeting cards and calendars. A full member of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, she travels the world and proudly represents the country at events and conferences.
Jacqueline Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, C.M., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario
Jackie Maxwell has had a profound impact on Canadian theatre and culture. The first woman to serve as artistic director of the Shaw Festival, she expanded its mission and introduced diverse Canadian plays, particularly works by women, racialized and French playwrights. Throughout her 40-year career, she has championed and mentored women in theatre, and has increased opportunities for female artists across the country. Internationally celebrated, she remains a sought-after dramaturge and director, and continues to shine a spotlight on Canada’s rich talent.
Marc Daniel Mayer, C.M.
Sudbury, Ontario
Marc Mayer is an internationally renowned museum director and art curator. His impressive career has taken him from Head of Visual Arts for the Canadian Embassy in Paris’ cultural services; to Director of the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery; to Deputy Director for Art at the Brooklyn Museum, where he highlighted feminist and African American art; to Executive Director of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, where he established the Quebec Triennial. Former CEO of the National Gallery of Canada, he reinvented the space for Indigenous art, photography and contemporary art, and oversaw major international exhibitions, emphasizing cooperation and sharing.
James David Meekison, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
James Meekison's career has spanned 45 years in investment banking, cable television and private equity. He has served on many boards of directors, and has supported countless philanthropic endeavours, including the Jim Meekison and Carolyn Keystone Foundation. He is a long-time champion of the University of British Columbia, Shaw Festival, Arthritis Research Foundation, and Pathways to Education Canada.
Patricia Margaret Ningewance, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Patricia Ningewance Waabi-bizhikiikwe is preserving the Anishinaabemowin language for future generations. A residential school survivor, she has spent decades honouring, teaching and sharing the Indigenous languages the schools tried to eradicate. Notably, she was the first editor of Wawatay News, the longest-running national Indigenous publication, and author of Talking Gookom’s Language, Canada’s most widely used Anishinaabemowin textbook. Now Grandmother for her language in the Manitoba Aboriginal Languages Strategy’s Grandparents Council, she has also proudly passed on her passion to her own grandson, himself now a teacher.
John Andrew Olthuis, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
John Olthuis is an Indigenous rights lawyer dedicated to advancing reconciliation in Canada. He represented First Nations in major negotiations, including as counsel for the Chiefs of Ontario and as negotiator for the Assembly of First Nations in the Charlottetown Accord. For more than five decades, he influenced government policies in favour of Indigenous peoples’ self-determination and their decolonization efforts, and has mentored the next generation of lawyers.
Michèle Ouimet, C.M., C.Q.
Montréal, Quebec
For almost three decades, Michèle Ouimet brought the world’s most compelling news stories to her readers. A long-time reporter with La Presse, she frequently travelled to war zones and other high-risk areas to document genocides, coups d’état, terrorist attacks and natural disasters. Her bold reports and striking testimonials have given a face and voice to marginalized populations, uncovered hidden realities, and helped Canadians understand the impact of conflict on civilians. Still active in journalism, she remains a celebrated storyteller as the author of five books, including her memoir.
Pitman Benjamin Potter, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Pitman Potter is a pre-eminent scholar in Chinese studies. Professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law, and emeritus director of UBC’s Institute of Asian Research, he has significantly enhanced our understanding of legal, socio-economic, human rights and policy issues relating to China. He has mentored countless students, influenced business leaders and policymakers, and fostered closer ties between Canada and the Asia-Pacific region. Outside of academia, he is an ordained deacon of the Anglican Church of Canada who is devoted to helping those most in need in his community.
Stephen James Randall, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta
Stephen Randall is an academic and expert advisor on international relations. Founder of the University of Calgary’s Latin American Research Centre, and a founding member of the Canadian Council for the Americas Alberta, he has helped develop the field and inspired the creation of interdisciplinary and internationally focused programs. His expertise in myriad issues affecting the United States and Latin America, notably Colombia, have benefited Canada’s foreign policy.
Benoît Robert, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Benoît Robert revolutionized the field of mobility. President, CEO and founder of Communauto, North America’s oldest car-sharing company, he expanded the service to 15 Canadian cities, from the Maritimes to the Rockies, and as far away as Paris, France. For nearly three decades, his company has been part of a paradigm shift focused on reducing our environmental footprint and reimagining the sustainable development of our cities. An industry leader, he generously shares his expertise with his international peers and is taking Canadian entrepreneurship to new horizons.
Frantz Saintellemy, C.M.
Laval, Quebec
Frantz Saintellemy is a pillar of Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. A world-renowned expert in cutting-edge technologies, he co-founded Groupe 3737, which coaches and mentors thousands of ethnoculturally diverse business founders and owners in Canada. Passionate about education, chancellor of Université de Montréal and chair of its board, he supports several organizations, including Fonds 1804 pour la persévérance scolaire. President and CEO of LeddarTech, a global leader in driver assistance solutions and autonomous vehicles, he also shares his expertise as a member of several boards, including the Quebec Innovation Council.
Raymond Saint-Pierre, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Raymond Saint-Pierre has dedicated himself to journalism for decades. As a foreign correspondent for CBC/Radio-Canada for over 30 years, he has travelled the globe, often to high-risk areas, to provide Canadians with reliable, first-hand information. Whether from Washington, London, Paris, Beijing or Moscow, he has chronicled the most significant international events of our century thoroughly and with integrity, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the War in Afghanistan. Throughout his career, he has appeared on the most influential public affairs programs, cementing his reputation as a distinguished journalist.
Victor Sarin, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vic Sarin is a passionate and visionary filmmaker. Since arriving in Canada six decades ago, he has earned acclaim as a bold and versatile cinematographer, writer and director. He has built a diverse body of work that includes the award-winning Margaret’s Museum, Bye Bye Blues, and A Shine of Rainbows, and such documentaries as Keepers of the Magic and Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World. Recognized for his stunning and poignant images of the Canadian landscape, he is one of the country’s most celebrated visual storytellers.
Bibudhendra Sarkar, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Bibudhendra Sarkar is a celebrated bioinorganic chemist whose achievements have advanced medical research in Canada and abroad. During his distinguished 60-year career at SickKids Research Institute, he discovered a novel treatment for patients with Menkes disease, a rare genetic condition. After identifying toxic metals in local water sources in south and southeast Asia, he and an international team of scientists have led efforts to mitigate the resulting health crisis.
Gary S. Segal, C.M., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Gary Segal’s generosity of spirit spreads far beyond his community. As a member of multiple boards of directors, this hands-on leader and respected businessman has devoted his time, expertise and resources to supporting individuals in need. Founder and chair of Bring Back Hope, he has helped provide life-saving medical care to Ethiopians in need of specialized surgery, and has advanced global health education for Canadian doctors. Active in Jewish causes, he has served in numerous leadership roles within Canada and abroad.
Lorraine P. Segato, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Lorraine Segato is an icon on the Canadian music scene. She was the lead singer and songwriter of the 1980s progressive pop group The Parachute Club, whose hit song Rise Up became an international anthem of empowerment. Since then, she has raised her voice as a tireless supporter of women’s rights and the 2SLGBTQI+ community. A social justice advocate, she has worked with numerous organizations on collaborative projects that use creativity to build bridges, inspire new voices, and break down barriers for those who have been marginalized.
William George Sembo, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta
William Sembo is a pillar in Calgary’s finance, energy and health care sectors. A past vice-chair and managing director of RBC Capital Markets, he is a senior advisor for Lazard Ltd., an internationally renowned financial advisory firm. His leading expertise is sought after by judicial boards and regulators in the petroleum industry, and his business acumen serves such health care organizations as Calgary Scientific Inc., and Calgary Health Trust. A dedicated philanthropist, he supports numerous causes, including cutting-edge advancements at the University of Calgary’s Sembo Family Laboratory for Epilepsy Research.
Donald George Simpson, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Don Simpson has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to innovative leadership development and cross-cultural engagement. Throughout a career spanning seven decades, he has been an academic, entrepreneur, researcher, program designer, administrator and mentor, working and residing in various communities around the world. He founded the Innovation Expedition and the Renaissance Expedition, bringing together creative, collaborative, compassionate innovators committed to changing the world for the better.
Mark Geoffrey Sirett, C.M.
Kingston, Ontario
Mark Sirett has elevated Canadian choral talent on the world stage. An award-winning composer and conductor, he is the founding artistic director of the Cantabile Choirs of Kingston, one of the most successful and largest community choir programs in North America. For three decades, he has been educating and directing thousands of choristers of all ages, championing his works in addition to the works of countless Canadian composers. As an internationally sought-after guest conductor, choral clinician and adjudicator, he introduces Canadian music to the global community.
Marvin R. V. Storrow, C.M., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Marvin Storrow is a revered lawyer who, over six decades, has argued at all levels of the provincial and federal court systems, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is highly regarded for working with B.C. First Nations and for litigating several groundbreaking cases on land titles and constitutional rights. An esteemed mentor to many members of the legal profession, he is admired for his advocacy of human rights and pro bono work.
Donat Taddeo, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Donat Taddeo is a pillar of his Montréal community. Recognized for his superlative fundraising acumen and volunteerism, he led successful initiatives that far exceeded targets while at the helm of Concordia University’s Campaign for a New Millennium and the McGill University Health Centre Foundation. He has also left an indelible mark as a distinguished volunteer board member of such prominent organizations as the Jeanne Sauvé Scholars’ Foundation, the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre, the Quebec Special Olympics, l’orchestre Métroplitain and Marianopolis College.
The Honourable Konrad Winrich Graf Finck von Finckenstein, C.M., K.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Konrad von Finckenstein has been a strong leader of key Canadian institutions. Whether as justice of the Federal Court, commissioner of the Competition Bureau, or chair of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, he is lauded for his diplomacy, integrity and thorough analyses. A respected lawyer and public servant known for his innovative ideas, he helped advance complex business deals, as well as the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. Senior fellow at the C. D. Howe Institute and governor of Carleton University, he is also a dedicated volunteer in his church community.