COMPANIONS

Monique Forget Leroux, C.C., O.Q.
Outremont, Quebec
Monique Leroux is a leading figure in Canadian finance. As president and CEO of Desjardins Group, she contributed to the remarkable national and international growth of this financial co-operative. She has also represented Canada on numerous multinational groups and committees, notably as the first Canadian woman to chair the International Cooperative Alliance. Still deeply involved in the community, she supports several initiatives dedicated to education, youth and the arts.
This is a promotion within the Order.

OFFICERS

Yusuf Altintas, O.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
A professor of mechanical engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Yusuf Altintas continues to push the limits of manufacturing. The founder and director of UBC’s Manufacturing Automation Laboratory, he is a world leader in the fields of metal cutting dynamics and the computer control of machine tools. An exceptional mentor, he has also contributed to cultural and educational organizations worldwide.

Pamela Geraldine Appelt, O.C.
Oakville, Ontario
Pamela Appelt is an esteemed community leader. The first Black Canadian woman appointed to the Court of Canadian Citizenship, she is dedicated to uplifting Black communities, particularly through her contributions to education initiatives and her mentorship of young leaders. For decades she has supported initiatives and organizations focused on arts and culture, and children and families in the Greater Toronto Area and the Jamaican diaspora.

Martha Rachel Friendly, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Martha Friendly is a leading figure in Canada's childcare movement. For the past five decades, she has tirelessly advocated an accessible and publicly funded early childhood education and care system, believing it crucial for women's equality nationwide. As executive director and founder of the non-profit Childcare Resource and Research Unit, she has been influential in shaping social policies impacting children, families and women.

Mellissa Veronica Fung, O.C.
London, England, United Kingdom
Mellissa Fung is an acclaimed veteran correspondent, author and documentary filmmaker. After being kidnapped in Kabul during her coverage of the war in Afghanistan in 2008, she chronicled her harrowing experiences in her best-selling book, Under an Afghan Sky: A Memoir of Captivity. Through her riveting films, she has become a powerful advocate for women and girls in war-torn countries, giving a voice to victims and calling for greater international protection.

Chit Chan Gunn, O.C., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Chan Gunn has shared the benefits of his innovative chronic pain treatment, intramuscular stimulation (IMS), with the world. He continues to broaden its impact through increased training and research, as well as philanthropic investments in academic programs and professorships. His substantial and transformative gift to the University of British Columbia led to the establishment of the Chan Gunn Pavilion, an integrated space for exercise science and sports medicine.
This is a promotion within the Order.

Beverley Jean Johnston, O.C.
Uxbridge, Ontario
Beverley Johnston is an internationally renowned percussionist. Since the 1980s, she has been at the forefront of the development and promotion of Canadian music, commissioning, performing and recording compositions from numerous Canadian composers. At the University of Toronto, she inspires female percussionists to excel in a mostly male-dominated field. Her achievements as a musical innovator have brought classical and contemporary percussion to concert halls and venues worldwide.

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.

Lindsay Machan, O.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Lindsay Machan is an early Canadian proponent of interventional radiology. A clinical practitioner at the Vancouver Hospital and an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, he continues to innovate while guiding others on their own paths to growth and success. His company created and licensed the paclitaxel coated stent, which has improved the lives of people with peripheral arterial disease.

Daphne Maurer, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Experimental psychologist Daphne Maurer has reshaped our understanding of the sensory world of infants. This professor emeritus and distinguished university professor at McMaster University is internationally renowned for her research on visual and cognitive development during early childhood, which led to new clinical practices and improved patient outcomes. She was also instrumental in developing and implementing Ontario’s universal vision screening program for kindergarten children, an initiative that is spreading across Canada.

Charles M. Morin, O.Q., O.C.
Québec, Quebec
Charles Morin is internationally recognized for developing psychological and behavioural interventions for insomnia. His groundbreaking research has proven the short- and long-term efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy for the condition, now a first-line treatment across Canada and abroad. Full professor at Université Laval and Canada Research Chair in behavioral sleep medicine, he has advanced clinical research and has helped improve the quality of life for people impacted by this disorder.

Kent George Nagano, O.C., G.O.Q., M.S.M.
Montréal, Quebec and San Francisco, California, United States of America
Kent Nagano is a world-leading conductor with a prestigious international career. Renowned for his operatic and orchestral repertoire, he has worked tirelessly to share classical music with the public. He captivated audiences at the helm of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal for more than one and a half decades, and premiered and commissioned numerous works by Canadian composers, spreading the unique sounds of Montréal, Quebec, and Canada around the world.
This is an honorary appointment.

Jack Cyril Pearpoint, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
A leader of inclusive educational practices, Jack Pearpoint co-developed internationally renowned planning approaches Circles of Support, PATH and MAPS to help individuals with disabilities overcome social barriers. He is co-founder of Inclusion Press, the Marsha Forest Centre and the Toronto Summer Institute, which provide community-based resources and workshops. He continues to advocate social change by amplifying the participation of people with disabilities and under-represented groups in society.

Stephen Shawn Poloz, O.C.
Orleans, Ontario
Renowned economist Stephen Poloz served the Canadian public for more than three decades. As president and CEO of Export Development Canada, and then as governor of the Bank of Canada, he helped facilitate our country’s international trade and promote its economic well-being. A frequent speaker, visiting scholar and author, he continues to share his significant expertise at home and abroad.

Kenneth John Rockwood, O.C.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Kenneth Rockwood is passionate about improving care for older adults. This Dalhousie University professor and specialist in the study of age-related diseases is a foremost expert in frailty research and the creator of the Frailty Index and the Clinical Frailty Scale, now used in health care systems worldwide. Senior medical director of Nova Scotia Health’s Frailty and Elder Care Network, he is a dedicated clinician and advocate for older patients.

Frances Estelle Reed Simons, O.C.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Estelle Simons has had a profound global impact on mitigating the effects of allergic reactions and diseases, notably among children. This world-renowned University of Manitoba professor emerita advanced the field of anaphylaxis diagnosis and management. She has been a leading presence in clinical immunology and allergy, as an educator and mentor, and through her leadership of national and international professional organizations and initiatives in the field.

Douglas Wade Stephan, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Douglas Stephan is a world-leading researcher in inorganic and organometallic chemistry. He discovered and commercialized a new class of polymerization catalysts that are now used in one of the largest chemical manufacturing facilities in the world, located in Alberta. His 2006 groundbreaking discovery and subsequent advancement of the Frustrated Lewis Pair concept received worldwide recognition in academia and industry, and continues to impact the broader scientific community.

Jozef Straus, O.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Visionary Jozef Straus has been a critical player in the rise of Canada’s high-tech industry. As co-founder of JDS FITEL, and CEO and co-chair of JDS Uniphase, he was at the vanguard of innovations in data communications and fibre-optic technology. A discreet and generous philanthropist, he contributes to many causes and organizations, notably those supporting disadvantaged or marginalized communities, the arts, education, science, health and nature.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga, O.C., O.Q.
Riga, Latvia
Vaira Vike-Freiberga has enriched Canada-Latvia relations and reflected Canadian values abroad. Professor emerita in psychology at l’Université de Montréal, she returned to her native Latvia to become the first woman to serve as its president, helping the country enter into NATO and the European Union, and regain stability during its post-Soviet period. She remains committed to protecting democracy and human rights, and to promoting women leaders worldwide.
This is an honorary appointment.

MEMBERS

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.

Vickie Elaine Baracos, C.M.
Edmonton, Alberta
Vickie Baracos has transformed our understanding of cachexia, a debilitating syndrome that causes rapid weight and muscle loss in patients with advanced-stage cancer, leaving them with a skin-and-bones appearance. A professor at the University of Alberta, she developed groundbreaking insights into the fundamental biology of this complex condition. Her work has since led to clinical classification and diagnosis, and has paved the way for treatment and improved patient outcomes.

Christi Marlene Belcourt, C.M.
Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta
Christi Belcourt is a Métis visual artist, environmentalist and social justice advocate. She is renowned for her large, painted floral landscapes inspired by Métis beadwork, which are found in many public and permanent collections across North America. She has also organized several national, community-based projects of note, including Walking With Our Sisters, the Willisville Mountain Project, and the Onaman Collective. She devotes much of her time to supporting Indigenous language revitalization.

David Gordon Ben, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
David Ben is one of the finest sleight-of-hand artists in the world. An influential figure in Canadian performance art, he has spent more than four decades exploring, developing, performing and preserving magic at home and abroad. Devoted to sharing wonder, he has written important books on the history of magic and its greatest practitioners. He also co-founded Magicana, a world-renowned arts organization dedicated to the exploration and advancement of magic.

Daniel Georges Bichet, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Daniel Bichet is an internationally renowned nephrologist. Full professor at Université de Montréal, he has led major global studies and was the first to identify the AVPR2 gene responsible for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, thus preventing severe episodes of dehydration affecting those with the disorder. A prolific author and lecturer, and nephrologist at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur-de-Montréal, he supports several organizations, including The Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Gairdner Foundation.

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.

John Allan Cairns, C.M., O.B.C.
West Vancouver, British Columbia
John Cairns has made major international contributions to cardiology, notably demonstrating the benefits of aspirin for patients with unstable angina, helping millions worldwide. As dean of medicine at the University of British Columbia, he led efforts toward its two-fold expansion. He also served with several academic societies and holds many elected fellowships, including with Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, for which he served as president.

Mark Joseph Cameron, C.M., M.B., M.S.M.
Hastings, Ontario
Mark Cameron is a humanitarian, educator and former paramedic dedicated to advancing paramedicine and disaster response education. He is associate director of the Sunnybrook Advanced Life Support and Trauma Education program, which specializes in courses for cardiac, pediatric and trauma life support. He co-founded the Canadian International Medical Relief Organization and the Critical Incident Management Response Organization, and his initiatives continue to reach global communities in need.

Pierre Chastenay, C.M.
Shefford, Quebec
Pierre Chastenay is a fixture in science communication in Quebec. Full professor and researcher in science didactics at Université du Québec à Montréal, he first made a name for himself as a television host, including on Télé-Québec’s wildly popular Le code Chastenay. Trained as an astronomer, he has lent his expertise to the Montréal Planetarium for decades and has published several books introducing young people to astronomy.

Edward Herman Cole, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Edward Cole is dedicated to developing and delivering the highest quality of care to people living with kidney disease. An esteemed leader in transplantation, this University of Toronto professor was instrumental in establishing a kidney-paired donation program, a highly impactful process now practised in clinical settings worldwide. A force in academic medicine, he is a former physician-in-chief at the University Health Network.

John Terry Copp, C.M.
Elora, Ontario
Terry Copp has nurtured Canadians’ understanding of our history. Professor emeritus at Wilfrid Laurier University, and the founder and director emeritus of the Laurier Centre for Military and Strategic Disarmament Studies, he fostered a rich community of scholarship and cemented Canada’s role in the Second World War. His ongoing work is a legacy to future generations and their knowledge of our past.

The Reverend Michael Creal, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
The Reverend Michael Creal has dedicated more than 50 years to being an educator, activist and faith leader. Now professor emeritus, he has been with York University since its early days and played a significant role in establishing its internationally renowned Centre for Refugee Studies. This Anglican priest and steadfast member of Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity has participated in many initiatives to support historically marginalized people, particularly refugees.

Budhendranauth Doobay, C.M., O.Ont.
Hamilton, Ontario
A retired surgeon, religious leader and mentor, Budhendranauth Doobay is a pillar of the Indo-Canadian community. Founder of the Vishnu Mandir temple and the Gandhi Memorial Peace Garden, he shares the tenets of Hinduism with different communities in Canada by advocating unity in diversity. He is also a philanthropist, humanitarian and the founder of Guyana’s Doobay Medical Centre, which provides free dialysis to patients in need and promotes preventative care.

Nima Gyaltsen Dorjee, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta
For decades, leading engineer and Tibetan human rights activist Nima Dorjee has devoted his time and expertise to the well-being of others. He transformed the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering internship program into Canada’s largest. Under his leadership as president of Project Tibet Society, he has played a pivotal role in the resettlement of more than 1 000 displaced Tibetans in Canada.

Elder Jane Rose Dragon, C.M., O.N.W.T.
Fort Smith, Northwest Territories
Jane Dragon is a pillar in her community. A long-time educator, she is renowned and beloved throughout the North for maintaining and sharing traditional knowledge and skills with the next generation, notably in the creation of Indigenous garments. For decades, she has been devoted to social causes, Indigenous cultural activism, and creating resources for students and youth, notably as a resident Elder and educator for the non-profit organizations FOXY and SMASH.

Marcelle Dubois, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Playwright and theatre director Marcelle Dubois has revitalized Quebec playwriting. In addition to being artistic co-director of Théâtre aux Écuries, which she co-created, she co-founded and directed the Festival du Jamais Lu, giving hundreds of playwrights the opportunity to present their works to audiences throughout the Francophonie. A dedicated mentor, she is the driving force behind several innovations to give younger generations what is often their first theatre experience.

Leonard John Edwards, C.M., M.S.M
Ottawa, Ontario
Leonard Edwards is a distinguished senior public servant and diplomat. Lauded for his contributions to the advancement of foreign and domestic policy, and to the country’s economic growth, he furthered Canada’s positive international relationships as ambassador to both Korea and Japan. The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the Canada-Korea Forum, and the Centre for International Governance Innovation have also all benefited from his leadership and expertise.

Lee Edward Errett, C.M., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario
Lee Errett is a global leader in cardiac research and care. He transformed St. Michael’s Hospital into a world-class centre for cardiac surgery, teaching and research. A long-standing professor at the University of Toronto, he is committed to educating the next generation of medical leaders. As founding president of the Bethune Medical Development Association, he volunteers his time and expertise to providing care in underserved areas worldwide.

Brian Ross Evans, C.M.
Nepean, Ontario
Brian Evans is Canada’s first chief food safety officer and the country’s second-longest-serving chief veterinary officer. Praised for his leadership during the 2003 bovine spongiform encephalopathy outbreak, he played a key role in the establishment of Canada’s Council of Chief Veterinary Officers. A long-time proponent of One Health, he also contributed to the creation of the Canadian Veterinary Reserve, Veterinarians Without Borders (Canada), and the Canadian Embryo Transfer Certification program.

William Anthony Fox, C.M.
Peterborough, Ontario
William Fox is one of Canada’s foremost authorities on archaeology. A research fellow and adjunct professor at Trent University, this retired public servant and long-standing leader of the Ontario Archaeological Society devoted his career to advancing knowledge of Canada’s archaeological past. He was among the first to advocate the participation of Indigenous communities in preserving their material heritage, thus broadening our understanding of Canadian history.

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 Huntington’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.

Arnie Gelbart, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
For decades, Arnie Gelbart has been in the vanguard of independent film and television in Canada. As the founder, executive producer and CEO of Galafilm Productions Inc., he has overseen the production of nearly 400 hours of acclaimed and diverse documentaries, television series and specials, and feature films, which have notably been released in both official languages. He has also mentored many in the Canadian film industry.

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.

Sylvia D. Hamilton, C.M., O.N.S.
Grand Pre, Nova Scotia
Sylvia D. Hamilton is an esteemed filmmaker, writer, poet and artist based in Nova Scotia. Her award-winning films have premiered at festivals in Canada and abroad, and are taught extensively in schools and universities across the country. Her groundbreaking body of work documents the struggles and contributions of African Canadians, particularly Black women, and have helped to enrich and reframe conceptions of Canadian history.

Madeleine D. Humer, C.M.
Victoria, British Columbia
Madeleine Humer is a beloved mentor and music educator in choral conducting. Her school choirs have performed with professional orchestras and choirs, and in many Pacific Opera Victoria productions. She is renowned for her work as the founder and past artistic director of the Victoria Children’s Choir, which was invited to perform in festivals and commemorative celebrations both in Canada and abroad. An admired soloist, she specializes in Baroque music and performs on stages worldwide.

Jane Knott Hungerford, C.M., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Jane Hungerford is admired for her leadership in fundraising for health care, education, social services and conservation efforts. She has raised millions of dollars for crucial cancer research and community services in British Columbia and beyond. The B.C. Cancer Foundation, Science World, the University of British Columbia, and the Aboriginal Mother Centre have all benefited from her determination and ability to bring people together. She is a proud member of the Gwich’in Nation.

Captain Sidney Joseph Hynes, C.M., O.N.L., M.M.
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador
Master mariner and entrepreneur Sidney Hynes is a leader in the marine transportation and offshore oil industries. He co-founded Canship Ugland Limited, which manages marine vessels operating worldwide, and is the executive chair of Oceanex Inc., a prominent player in the East Coast transportation industry. His expertise has been sought by government and academia, resulting in major economic and social advantages throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

William Janzen, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
For more than 30 years, William Janzen served as director of the Ottawa office of the Mennonite Central Committee Canada. He has influenced government policy development and contributed to refugee resettlement, citizenship, development aid and peace building. He was instrumental in the creation of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program, which mobilized Canadians to support incoming refugees, notably from Southeast Asia, and marked a turning point in Canada’s immigration policy.

Tina Jones, C.M., O.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Tina Jones is a passionate community builder. As chair of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, she has championed philanthropy as a means of advancing innovation in health care. A trailblazer in business, she has drawn a new landscape in the hospitality industry as the founder of Jones & Company Wine Merchants. She has also helped to reimagine sports leadership and athlete support as a partner of The Rink.

Christina Jean Keeper, C.M., O.M., M.S.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Best known for her role in CBC’s North of 60, Tina Keeper is an award-winning actress, producer and former politician. One of the first Cree members of Parliament, she championed bills on Jordan’s Principle, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit. Co-founder of Kistikan Pictures, she focuses her Indigenous-themed film and television work on human rights, reconciliation and gender-based violence.

Judy M. Kent, C.M.
Picton, Ontario
Judy Kent champions sport as a tool for social change. The first woman to serve as both president of Commonwealth Sport Canada and Canada’s chef de mission for the Commonwealth Games, she has ardently promoted gender equality and inclusion. Her seminal paper on sport for international development laid the framework for the creation of the SportWORKS program, and she was also lead facilitator of Generations for Peace.

William James Gordon Kirby, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
William Kirby proudly promotes contemporary Canadian art and artists. He is the founder and executive director of the Centre for Contemporary Canadian Art, where he developed the Canadian Art Database, an innovative and extensive resource made freely accessible online for artists, educators, researchers and the general public. His dedicated archival work has broadened awareness of contemporary Canadian art and artists at home and abroad.

James Gregory Kyte, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Jim Kyte is renowned as the first deaf player in the history of the National Hockey League. Throughout his career, he championed the rights of athletes with physical disabilities to achieve greater accessibility and inclusion in sports. Off the ice, he has been a role model to others as a volunteer with numerous charities, an advocate for disability rights, and a distinguished voice for Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians.

Patrick Joseph Lahey, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario and Vero Beach, Florida, United States of America
Patrick Lahey is one of the world’s pre-eminent experts on submersibles and a leading voice for safe practices in the deep diving industry. As co-founder of Triton Submarines, he invented and built dozens of vehicles for research, exploration, entertainment and tourism. A skilled pilot, he led diving missions to the deepest parts of the oceans, becoming the second Canadian to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

The Honourable Susan Elizabeth Lang, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Susan Lang has had a distinguished legal career. Co-founder of an all-woman law firm and the first woman to be president of the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association, she served as a judge in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice and Court of Appeal. Leader of the Motherisk Hair Analysis Independent Review, she influenced how scientific evidence is handled, and inspired the Ontario Forensic Laboratories Act, the first legislation of its kind in Canada.

Barry Paul Lapointe, C.M., O.B.C.
Kelowna, British Columbia
Founder and chair of KF Aerospace, Barry Lapointe has made lasting contributions to our country’s aerospace industry. Now Canada’s largest commercial aeronautical maintenance, repair and overhaul provider, the company also supports Royal Canadian Air Force pilot training and nationwide aircraft maintenance engineering instruction. As a dedicated philanthropist, he has contributed to post-secondary institutions and recently opened the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna.

Myrna Eunilda Lashley, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Myrna Lashley is an important advocate against racial profiling. An associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University, she is internationally recognized as an authority on cultural psychology and mental health. She has played a vital role in shaping policies, practices and interventions that promote equity, inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Her commitment to racial justice has helped improve the experiences and outcomes for marginalized groups across Canada.

Avril R. Lavigne, C.M.
Malibu, California, United States of America
Avril Lavigne is one of the best-selling female artists of all time. With over 50 million albums sold worldwide, she paved the way for female-driven punk-rock music and continues to do so today. Generous with her time, she supports individuals with serious illnesses, disabilities and Lyme disease through the Avril Lavigne Foundation. A global ambassador for Special Olympics, she promotes inclusion and helps end the stigma around intellectual disabilities.

Pierre Legault, C.M., M.S.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Social entrepreneur Pierre Legault has devoted his career to supporting those in need. Trained as a psychoeducator, he is renowned for using the economy to underpin social and sustainable development. He co-founded several social and environmental organizations helping disadvantaged people, including Moisson Montréal, Quebec’s first food bank, and Renaissance, an innovative enterprise serving as a springboard into the job market for those seeking employment.

Brandt Channing Louie, C.M., O.B.C.
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Brandt Channing Louie is a business entrepreneur and philanthropist contributing to public and non-profit organizations across economic, education, health and arts sectors. He is the chair and CEO of both London Drugs Limited and H. Y. Louie Co., Limited, a family-owned grocery retailer spanning four generations. He supports various community initiatives through the Tong and Geraldine Louie Family Foundation, and is a dedicated consultant on national anti-Asian racism strategies.

Bruce A. Lourie, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Bruce Lourie is passionate about sustainability. This renowned leader and entrepreneur has been behind the establishment of numerous organizations addressing climate change and environmental health. He has been a critical player in key sustainability victories, including the phase-out of Ontario’s coal-fired power plants, considered the largest climate action in North America. As president of the Ivey Foundation, he is committed to a net-zero future for Canada.

Zoe N. Lucas, C.M.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
For 50 years, Zoe Lucas has explored and shared her observations and insights regarding the unique natural and cultural values of Sable Island. She is a founding member and president of the Sable Island Institute, and her contributions have encouraged research and conservation that will help preserve the island’s rich legacy for future generations.

Mother Pierre Anne Rosaria Mandato, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Mary, Mother Pierre Anne Mandato has devoted her life to supporting young people, the elderly and the sick. As director of École Marie Clarac and Marie-Clarac Hospital, she helped both institutions grow by supporting several major initiatives, including opening a high school campus and building a palliative care wing. She has also had an international impact, founding the Hope of Life – Children of the World Association.

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.

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.

Richard Kelly Miskokomon, C.M.
Muncey, Ontario
Chief Joe Miskokomon is one of Ontario’s most committed Indigenous leaders. Chief of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and former grand chief of the Anishinabek Nation, he has helped advance First Nations self-governance, safeguard Indigenous rights and treaties, and encourage community economic development for more than five decades. He is noted for his successful negotiation of two major land claim settlements with the Canadian government.

Colleen Louise Murphy, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Colleen Murphy is a unique and fearless voice in Canadian theatre. A foremost playwright, she has worked across media, creating plays and operas, as well as writing and directing film. Her award-winning and ongoing body of work tackles difficult subjects and explores calamity in society. Committed to the future of playwriting and theatre, she is a stalwart supporter of young, emerging writers and women in the arts.

Joyce Napier, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Joyce Napier is renowned for her proficient bilingual reporting in both print and broadcast journalism. A senior journalist, she has covered major political stories and headed both CBC/Radio-Canada’s Washington, D.C. bureau and CTV’s parliamentary bureau in Ottawa. She also served as Radio-Canada’s Middle East correspondent for five years, becoming a familiar figure in her blue flak jacket as she reported from and lived in a war zone.

Javaid Abbas Naqvi, C.M.
Edmonton, Alberta
Jerry Naqvi is a well-respected business and community leader in Edmonton. Following his immigration to Canada from Pakistan in 1964, he became the founder and chair of Cameron Corporation, a prominent Alberta commercial real estate development company. Committed to giving back, he is a long-standing supporter of many community and non-profit organizations supporting education, newcomers to Canada, interfaith dialogue, and individuals living with autism.

Robert Panet-Raymond, C.M., C.Q.
Montréal, Quebec
A distinguished administrator, Robert Panet-Raymond is also renowned for his philanthropy. He supported the development of the Maison des étudiants canadiens in Paris by chairing its Comité au Canada, and contributed to the meteoric growth of Université de Montréal’s physical education and sports centre. An associate professor at Polytechnique Montréal and a former corporate executive, he is committed to business and finance, particularly as board chair of the Autorité des marchés financiers.

E. Michael Perley, C.M.
Colborne, Ontario
Over the past 40 years, Michael Perley has devoted his life’s work to addressing serious environmental and health challenges. At the helm of the Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco, he advocated for tighter laws to reduce tobacco use and limit second-hand smoke. A vital and effective leader, he also spearheaded coalitions on acid rain and air pollution that led to significant legislative changes in Canada and the United States.

Dan Poenaru, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Dan Poenaru is a McGill University professor and pediatric surgeon. Starting in 2003, he established a pediatric surgical unit and novel training program in a remote area of Kenya, which have subsequently expanded the quality and quantity of treatments within the country and beyond. He also helped found three medical schools in Africa, and has served in leadership roles with the Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery and BethanyKids.

Linda Rabeneck, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Gastroenterologist and University of Toronto professor Linda Rabeneck is a leader in colorectal cancer screening and prevention. As Ontario Health’s vice-president of prevention and cancer control, she led the roll-out of ColonCancerCheck, the first province-wide colorectal cancer screening program in the country. Its success influenced the development of similar programs across Canada and around the world.

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.

Solomon Ratt, C.M., S.O.M.
Regina, Saskatchewan
Storyteller, educator and author Solomon Ratt is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the Cree language through his literacy materials and teachings grounded in traditional cultural values. He is a retired associate professor at the First Nations University of Canada, where he helped develop the first bachelor’s degree in Cree language studies. He is a primary contributor to the Cree Literacy Network, and his publications serve as a cornerstone for language education throughout western Canada and beyond.

Jonathan Scott Rose, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Jonathan Rose has made groundbreaking innovations in the architecture and software used in field-programmable gate arrays. A professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Toronto, he created new methods for exploring the properties of these integrated circuits, which are powering devices used by millions of people in telecommunications, manufacturing and health care. As one of the leaders within the Entrepreneurship Hatchery, he has also fostered Canadian high-tech ventures.

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.

Frances Marjorie Shaver, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Frances Shaver has made groundbreaking scholarly contributions to the field of sex work. Professor emeritus at Concordia University, she is lauded for her respectful engagement with those working and living in the industry. Many researchers in this field have been inspired by her approach to research, her advocacy, and her commitment to fight for legal and policy changes to support and protect marginalized Canadians.

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.

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.

Jack Edward Taunton, C.M.
Delta, British Columbia
Jack Taunton is an early leader in sport and exercise medicine. Professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and an active fundraiser, he helped found SportMedBC, the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute, the Vancouver Marathon and the Vancouver Sun Run. He has also served as a specialist for elite athletes and the general public, as a national team physician and as chief medical officer for six major Games.

Charles E. Weaselhead, C.M.
Cardston, Alberta
Charles Weaselhead has brought Canadians together across sectors and has helped advance reconciliation. As CEO of the Blood Tribe Department of Health, he formed a long-standing partnership with the Canadian Red Cross and, as chief of the Blood Tribe and Treaty 7 Grand Chief, he launched new social, health and education initiatives. The first Indigenous chancellor of Lethbridge University, he has also been a leader with the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.