Companions
W. Ford Doolittle, C.C.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Evolutionary and molecular biologist Ford Doolittle has fundamentally altered our understanding of the origins of life. Today’s geneticists and microbiologists continue to build on his foundational research, notably on the evolution of microorganisms and their genomes. This Dalhousie University professor emeritus is equally renowned for his mentorship of young scientists.
The Honourable John Paul Manley, P.C., C.C.
Ottawa and Rideau Lakes, Ontario
John Manley is an esteemed political and business leader. A federal minister for more than 10 years, board chair of three major Canadian public companies and head of a national business association, he bridged private, public and not-for-profit sectors, promoting diversity and inclusiveness in leadership while engaging on matters of public policy.
This is a promotion within the Order.
Officers
Fabrice Pierre Brunet, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
As a physician, researcher, teacher and manager, Fabrice Brunet has demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving health care in Canada and around the world. He is one of the most influential leaders in the hospital sector, focusing on innovation, clinical excellence and effective management to promote the institutions he has led.
Tom Tak Kin Chau, O.C., O.Ont, M.S.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Tom Chau is a revered figure in pediatric rehabilitation engineering. This University of Toronto professor and Bloorview Research Institute distinguished senior scientist is supporting and empowering children with severe disabilities by expanding their access to different communication methods and strategies. He is also a devoted mentor to the next generation of specialists.
Alan Charles Evans, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
Alan Evans has transformed brain imaging research, leading to major breakthroughs in understanding neuronal development, aging and Alzheimer’s disease. The processing tools he developed are now universally used by specialists to analyze group data from both healthy individuals and those with neurological or psychiatric disorders.
Cheryl Forchuk, O.C., O.Ont.
Brantford, Ontario
Cherly Forchuk is an esteemed nurse scientist at the forefront of mental health, poverty and homelessness research in Canada. Her investigations on therapeutic relationships and her groundbreaking Transitional Discharge Model ensure that people experiencing mental illness and homelessness are treated equitably and provided with the necessary resources to rebuild their lives.
F. Stuart Foster, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Stuart Foster is a global leader in medical ultrasound. Through innovative research and technology translation, this scientist, entrepreneur and University of Toronto professor has transformed high-resolution diagnostic ultrasound use in biomedical applications. He is also the founder of a leading biomedical company, Fujifilm VisualSonics Inc., and co-founder of Canada’s Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe).
Donald William Hayley, O.C.
Peachland, British Columbia
Donald Hayley is one of Canada’s leading permafrost engineers. A cold region geotechnical expert, he has contributed to the development of the Canadian Arctic, which has benefited communities and the economy. His groundbreaking innovations include sloped thermosyphons, Canada’s first frozen core dam, and the design and construction of safer winter ice roads.
Bonnie J. Fraser Henry, O.C., O.B.C.
Victoria, British Columbia
Bonnie Henry has been using her expertise in public health and preventive medicine to safeguard the health of people in Canada and globally for decades. Notably, as provincial health officer, she led British Columbia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is also an author, scholar and University of British Columbia clinical associate professor.
David Alexander Jones, O.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
David Jones has spent his career supporting and safeguarding Canadians’ health. He has held leadership roles in national, provincial and regional health organizations and initiatives, and has taught and researched within academia. Notably, he led the establishment of Canada’s public health agency as its first chief public health officer.
Maureen Anne McTeer, O.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Maureen McTeer is a respected Canadian lawyer and author whose work on gender issues and health guidelines have left an indelible mark on society. Her contributions have shaped important policy related to women’s health and equality, pollution, the international rule of law, fertility rights, and individual autonomy in end-of-life care.
John Theodore Nolan, O.C., O.Ont.
Garden River, Ontario
Ted Nolan is a community leader, retired professional hockey player and award-winning NHL coach. He co-created the 3NOLANS First Nation Hockey School with his sons Brandon and Jordan, and established the Ted Nolan Foundation, which provides scholarships to First Nations women. He continues to support Indigenous youth as a mentor, speaker and anti-racism advocate.
Peter Leon Rosenbaum, O.C.
Hamilton, Ontario
Peter Rosenbaum has transformed child disability care. He is a trailblazer in developmental pediatrics, particularly the care of children with cerebral palsy and their families. His major contributions include the promotion of family-centred service and creation of the internationally adopted Gross Motor Function Classification System, which emphasizes ability over deficits.
Saroj Saigal, O.C.
Hamilton, Ontario
Saroj Saigal has helped shape the field of neonatology. She is internationally renowned as the first researcher to examine the lives of extremely premature infants from a qualitative perspective and is praised for this humanistic approach. She has shifted attitudes towards preterm infants and increased our understanding of their long-term outcomes.
Adel S. Sedra, O.C., O.Ont.
Waterloo, Ontario
Adel Sedra is an international authority on microelectronics. His work has influenced developments from medical technology to wireless communications, and the education of generations of engineers across Canada and globally. Previously a senior academic leader at the universities of Toronto and Waterloo, he helped elevate their status to world-leading research institutions.
Mike Stevens, O.C., M.S.M.
Point Edward, Ontario
Mike Stevens is a virtuoso harmonica player, composer and author. For more than 40 years, he has entertained audiences nationally and abroad and won acclaim at the world-famous Grand Old Opry in Nashville. His music tours in Canada’s North are the subject of three documentaries that showcase his philanthropy and prodigious musical gifts.
Theresa Tam, O.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
For decades, Theresa Tam has striven to advance global and national public health as a pediatric infectious disease specialist and public servant. Her tenure as Canada’s chief public health officer has been characterized by her commitment to health equity and highlighted by her leadership role in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miriam Toews, O.C., O.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Miriam Toews is a pre-eminent writer whose novels explore human tragedy and comedy in one fell swoop. Her unique ability to portray very human stories of overcoming adversity and finding meaning is a gift to her readers, and a source of inspiration to her adoring students and fans.
David Norman Weisstub, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
David Weisstub is a leader and respected mentor in the fields of mental health law and forensic psychiatry. As the founder and honorary life president of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health, he has been a sought-after consultant in human rights, bioethics and mental competency for more than five decades.
Tonya Williams, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario and Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Tonya Williams is an esteemed actor and passionate advocate for greater access and inclusion of racialized people in film and media. Founder, executive and artistic director of Reelworld Screen Institute and Reelworld Foundation, she helped build a diverse screen industry and has left an indelible mark on Canadian and international entertainment.
Karim Zaghib, O.C.
Longueuil, Quebec
Electrochemist and materials scientist, Karim Zaghib is internationally renowned for his research on energy storage and conversion, particularly in the development of lithium‑ion batteries and all solid state. His contributions to advancing the energy sector have significantly aided in achieving carbon neutrality on a global scale.
Members
Bruce Alexander Anderson, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Bruce Anderson has been one of our country’s leading opinion researchers for decades. A former executive with Decima Research, Earnscliffe Strategy Group, and Abacus Data he now helps lead spark*advocacy as one of Canada’s foremost commentators on public opinion and political affairs. He also co-founded scholarships and the Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship.
Ronald Bisson, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Ronald Bisson has championed the interests of Francophone minority communities across Canada, notably through the application of the Official Languages Act. A committed volunteer, he has dedicated himself to welcoming and integrating refugees and immigrants, even offering them opportunities within his company. He is also considered a leader in combatting racism in Canada.
Marc-André Blanchard, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Marc-André Blanchard has made outstanding contributions to Canada and its economic development, both domestically and internationally. Whether as a lawyer, Canada’s ambassador to the UN or executive vice-president of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that major Canadian organizations take their rightful place on the global stage.
Earl Raphael Bogoch, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Earl Bogoch is an orthopaedic surgeon renowned in the field of fracture prevention. He developed the Fracture Screening and Prevention Program, and his model of care has been implemented in hospitals across Canada. As the inaugural Brookfield Chair in Fracture Prevention, he has improved patient outcomes nationally and internationally through his clinical research.
Jacques Bouchard, C.M.
La Malbaie, Quebec
A family physician specializing in allergies and respiratory illnesses, Jacques Bouchard has also advanced medical practice throughout the province. He co-founded the Réseau québécois d’éducation en santé respiratoire and remains active in organizations such as the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec. He continues to expand medical education for family physicians, particularly in rural communities.
Ronald Joseph Bourgeois, C.M., O.N.S.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ronald Bourgeois has dedicated his life to promoting and sharing Acadian culture across Canada. A multidisciplinary artist with a career spanning over 40 years, he has distinguished himself in fields as diverse as song, television program and series production, cultural organization coordination and artistic direction for numerous artistic events.
Jackson Maurice Brodsky, C.M., S.O.M.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Jack Brodsky has had a lasting impact on his community. Through his leadership of the Saskatoon Blades Western Hockey League franchise and his family’s multi-generational construction business, he has supported his community in many ways, with a focus on sports, education and opportunities for youth.
Brian Bronfman, C.M., O.Q.
Montréal, Quebec
Trained as a mediator, Brian Bronfman is a unifier committed to creating a more just and harmonious society, primarily by strengthening the field of peace. Through both his family foundation and the charitable organization he co-founded, the Peace Network for Social Harmony, he focuses on diversity, inclusion, violence prevention, equity and peace-building as the essential elements for achieving a more peaceful and inclusive society.
Freda Lang Browns, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Freda Browns is a pillar of Canada’s philanthropic community. For five decades, she has enriched society by supporting cultural, health, education and art organizations in Montréal and beyond. Donations from the distinguished private art collection she established with her late husband, Irwin, can be viewed at museums and institutions across Canada.
Alexandra Bugailiskis, C.M.
Oakville, Ontario
Alexandra Bugailiskis had a 39-year career in Canada’s diplomatic service. She served as ambassador to Syria, Cuba, Poland and Italy and held executive positions at Global Affairs where she helped shape foreign policies and mentored future diplomats. She is currently Chair of UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health.
Roy Keith Byram, C.M., O.Y.
Marsh Lake, Yukon
Roy Keith Byram is a leading engineer specializing in construction and mining in northwestern Canada. An advocate for sustainable practices, he has overseen such projects as the responsible development of highways linking remote northern communities. He contributes to the prosperity of Yukon’s economic and community advancement through his dedicated philanthropic endeavours.
Donald Wilfred Campbell, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Donald Campbell is a highly respected advisor in the private and public sectors. His stellar diplomatic career includes service as deputy minister of both Foreign Affairs and International Trade, G8 summit sherpa, and senior negotiator with the United States. A former ambassador to Korea and Japan, he continues to play a central role in Canada-Asia relations.
Michel Cardin, C.M.
Riverview, New Brunswick
Michel Cardin has gained international recognition as a teacher, lecturer, performer and producer of baroque music. A full professor of guitar and lute at Université de Moncton’s Department of Music, he has become an unrivalled authority on the principles and techniques of baroque music performance.
Brian Anthony Crane, C.M., K.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Brian Crane has significantly influenced the law and its development. A constitutional, administrative and Indigenous law specialist, he has championed important legal causes, including human and Indigenous rights, and environmental protection. His work on major land claim agreements contributed to the Government of Canada’s recognition of Indigenous treaty rights.
Colonel-Maître® Michel William Drapeau, C.M., O.M.M., C.D.
Orléans, Ontario
Colonel-Maître® Michel Drapeau is a leader in military and veteran law. He founded the first Canadian practice specializing in military administrative law and played an instrumental role in its recognition as an official legal discipline. As a prominent scholar and practitioner, he continues to shape the landscape of Canadian law.
Marianne Dubuc, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
A prolific children’s book author and illustrator, Marianne Dubuc has published internationally and seen her works translated into over 30 languages. Her stories, rooted in nature and imbued with kindness, inspire readers to develop empathy, imagination and a love of reading.
Allison Audrey Eddy, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Allison Eddy is a retired professor and clinician scientist at the forefront of pediatric nephrology. She is recognized internationally for her research into kidney fibrosis and the connection between inflammation and kidney scarring. She is also a passionate mentor who has helped train the next generation of pediatricians and kidney disease specialists.
Elizabeth Rollins Epperly, C.M.
Kentville, Nova Scotia
Elizabeth Epperly is a pre-eminent scholar and administrator who has elevated studies in the much-beloved works of Lucy Maud Montgomery in Canada and around the globe. She is esteemed for writing some of the earliest feminist readings of Montgomery and has inspired generations of scholars following in her footsteps.
Kent Farndale, C.M.
Port Perry, Ontario
Kent Farndale is a beloved civic leader. For decades, she has volunteered with and financially supported numerous organizations in the arts, community, education and health care sectors. Notably, she helped establish the Scugog Council for the Arts, served in several capacities with Craft Ontario, and oversaw capital campaigns for Lakeridge Health.
Robert Thomas Foster, C.M., A.O.E
Edmonton, Alberta
Robert Foster is recognized for his significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry, which have transformed lives around the world. A gifted leader, he is admired for his dedication to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of scientists through his work at the University of Alberta.
Albert David Friesen, C.M., O.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Albert Friesen earned his reputation as the founding father of Manitoba’s biotechnology industry by starting and leading multiple life science companies. Notably, he led the creation of WinRho, Canada’s first biotech product, and launched the BIOTECanada association. He is equally renowned for supporting and leading non-profit initiatives and educational institutions.
Élise Gravel, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Children’s book author and illustrator Élise Gravel has published some 50 picture books internationally that have been translated into over a dozen languages. Her work, exploring such key topics as diversity, gender equality and social justice, has significantly contributed to developing and sharpening young people’s critical thinking skills while encouraging them to broaden their horizons.
Lorraine Greaves, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia and Elora, Ontario
Lorraine Greaves is expert in sex and gender-based research specializing in women’s experiences with addiction, tobacco use and violence. She notably founded the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health and co-founded the International Network of Women Against Tobacco. Her leading research and advocacy continue to influence health practices worldwide.
Sky Dancer Louise Bernice Halfe, C.M.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Louise Halfe, also known by her Cree name Sky Dancer, is a poet from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Acclaimed for her poetry collections, she advocates language learning and preservation, and her thought-provoking work articulates, in both Cree and English, the history and experiences of Indigenous peoples.
Kenneth Wayne Hindmarsh, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Wayne Hindmarsh has strongly influenced the practice of pharmacy in Canada as a practitioner, educator and leader. This University of Toronto dean and professor emeritus oversaw the evolution of the school’s faculty of pharmacy into the nation’s largest of its kind. His reputation extends internationally where he is known as pharmacy’s “dean of deans.”
Paul Hindo, C.M., C.D.
Manotick, Ontario
Paul Hindo is a business leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist. An honorary colonel first with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and then the Canadian Army, he contributes to causes supporting the Canadian Armed Forces, health care and education. His business acumen and charitable donations continue to advance Ottawa’s economic and social development.
Thomas Peter Caven Irving, C.M.
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Tam Irving is a traditional studio potter who championed the use of local materials and created glazes by crushing rocks with his studio machines. After sculpting for three decades, he transitioned into three-dimensional still-life compositions and painting. Professor emeritus at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, he has exhibited his work internationally.
Milton Israel, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Milton Israel is a leading scholar of South Asian studies. Now professor emeritus, he helped establish the field and contributed positively to Canada-India relations. He has also influenced Canadian policies on multiculturalism, notably as a long-time board member of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute and the Multicultural History Society of Ontario.
Donald Albert James, C.M.
Ruth Louise James, C.M., M.S.C.
North Saanich, British Columbia
British Columbians Don and Ruth James are passionate about helping others. They have championed many causes in need of support throughout the province through their self-funded, eponymous foundation. Notably, they have helped initiate and sustain significant advances in research, clinical care and patient services through transformative contributions to health care.
Robert R. Janes, C.M.
Canmore, Alberta
Robert R. Janes is one of Canada’s most distinguished museologists. Devoted to elevating the role of museums as an essential part of well-being in society, this ethnoarchaeologist, mentor and philanthropist played a key role in returning sacred objects to the Blackfoot Confederacy in the largest voluntary restitution of its kind in Canadian history.
Miloš J. Krajny, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Miloš Krajny is a devoted custodian and promoter of Czech musical heritage. A founding member of Toronto’s Mozart Society, he is beloved in Canada’s Czech community for launching the Nocturnes in the City music series in 2001. He is also an allergist by profession and past president of the Allergy Society of Ontario.
Nathan Leon Leipciger, C.M., M.S.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Nate Leipciger has been a force for Holocaust education for decades. A dedicated educator with the March of the Living for more than 30 years, he has mentored thousands of students on the dangers of bigotry and intolerance, and has inspired thousands more with his personal story of resilience, love and forgiveness.
Barry Frederick Lorenzetti, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Barry F. Lorenzetti is considered one of the Canadian insurance industry’s most influential entrepreneurs, builders and business leaders. Committed to advancing mental health care in Canada, he has distinguished himself by creating an eponymous foundation to help the patients and their family. He is also renowned for his significant financial support to women entrepreneurs and leaders through a Centre that creates a sustainable hub of expertise and research.
Stephen B. Lucas, C.M.
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Stephen Lucas is a retired public servant and accomplished government leader. His contributions have had a lasting impact on Canadians, from his work as a geologist exploring the Canadian Shield for the Geological Survey of Canada to his collaborative leadership as deputy minister of Health Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Honourable J. Michael MacDonald, C.M., O.N.S.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Former Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, J. Michael MacDonald helped make the province a national leader in access to justice, promoted judicial outreach initiatives and wrote 500 decisions. A former member of the Canadian Judicial Council and Chair of the Mass Casualty Commission, he is now Chair of Phoenix Youth Programs.
Sylvain Martel, C.M., C.D.
L’Île-Bizard, Quebec
Sylvain Martel is a world-renowned visionary in the field of medical nanorobotics. A leader in the use of bio nanorobots in medical interventions, he has made contributions to research and innovation that have paved the way for new, less invasive, and significantly more effective treatments for difficult-to-access or treatment-resistant cancers.
Claudette McGowan, C.M.
Aurora, Ontario
Claudette McGowan is a visionary leader in information technology. Notably, she is the founder and CEOof Protexxa, a Canadian-based cybersecurity company with international reach. She is an equally driven advocate for women and for the promotion of digital human rights within the technology industry and, more broadly, across global communities.
Michael Kevin McMahon, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Michael McMahon has significantly impacted Canada’s art song and opera landscape. He is a highly sought-after collaborative pianist and an advocate for raising the status of this art form. An influential vocal coach, esteemed mentor, and national and international performer, he has positively influenced the careers of many top-level artists.
Ashleigh Bernard Molloy, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
A global expert on developmental disabilities, Ashleigh Molloy has dedicated his personal and professional life to promoting inclusion as an educator, advocate and mentor. Founding president of Transformation Education International, he has been globally sought after for his lectures, consultations and conference presentations on facilitating training in equitable education.
Kathy Mulder, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
For decades, Kathy Mulder has striven to improve and advance care for people with inherited bleeding disorders. Notably, she was the first woman, physiotherapist and Canadian to chair the World Federation of Hemophilia’s Musculoskeletal Committee. Now retired, she has mentored and inspired fellow specialists in Canada and around the world.
Glenn Kevin Murphy, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Glenn Murphy is an innovative leader in the consumer sector. A leading figure in the success of such iconic brands as Shoppers Drug Mart, Gap Inc., and Lululemon, he has transformed retail landscapes in Canada and abroad. Through the Murphy Family Foundation, he has donated millions towards mental health, environmental and social causes.
Jacques Parisien, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Jacques Parisien worked in communications for over 40 years. He helped steer the growth of Astral Media’s radio division, positioning the company as one of the largest media enterprises in Canada. A dedicated philanthropist, he has supported several cultural, educational and community organizations, including the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts and the Pointe-à-Callière Museum.
David F. Pelly, C.M., C.D.
Ottawa, Ontario
Passionate about the Arctic since he first experienced the region by canoe, David Pelly has been dedicated to preserving and honouring Indigenous history and customs for decades. Many Inuit elders have entrusted this ethnographer and author with putting their stories of traditional life into writing.
Susan Peterson d’Aquino, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Susan Peterson d’Aquino is a retired senior public servant, arts patron and philanthropist. Numerous Canadian arts and cultural institutions have been enriched by her dedicated support, including the National Arts Centre, the National Gallery of Canada and the Banff Centre for the Arts. She is equally passionate about supporting heritage conservation.
Vincenzo Pietropaolo, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Vincenzo Pietropaolo is an acclaimed social documentary photographer. He has published numerous books on community, faith, culture, social justice and the human condition, and is praised for providing a valuable lens on the importance of multiculturalism. He has also been featured in leading publications and exhibitions in Canada and internationally.
Michel Rabagliati, C.M., C.Q.
Montréal, Quebec
As one of the country’s most prolific cartoonists, Michel Rabagliati has put Canadian comic book culture on the international map. Through his best-known character, Paul, he has showcased the daily lives and aspirations of local people while providing audiences with a glimpse into what contemporary comics can be.
George Elliot Rodger, C.M.
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
George Rodger has shaped the YMCA across Canada. His leadership has been sought after in major facility development projects from coast to coast, where he led capital campaigns to secure accessible community programming. His ongoing legacy continues to support a variety of services including childcare, employment coaching and counselling.
Sharon Diane Brown Ross, C.M.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sharon Ross dedicated her life to serving Canadians, making a significant impact in Nova Scotia and across the country. Her professional work and volunteer efforts exemplify her commitment to social advocacy and inclusion. She played a key role in helping racial people achieve recognition, integrity and equal opportunities within Canadian society.
Ebonnie Rowe, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Ebonnie Rowe has been shaping the Canadian music industry for 30 years by supporting emerging female artists through her non-profit multicultural, multi-genre development program. An esteemed mentor in her field, she provides artists with performance and educational opportunities, as well as a safe space to be vulnerable and build confidence.
The Honourable Robert William Runciman, C.M., O.Ont.
Brockville, Ontario
Robert Runciman served in political office at municipal, provincial and federal levels for 45 years. A Brockville city councillor and Member of Provincial Parliament for 29 years, he also represented Ontario in the Senate. An author, environmentalist, union leader and community volunteer, he currently chairs the St. Lawrence Parks Commission.
Roderick Raymond Senft, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Rod Senft is a prominent Canadian business leader and philanthropist. Co-founder and chair of Tricor Pacific Capital, he has led more than 80 companies across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, food processing, transportation and real estate. He also supports initiatives in health, education, sports and the arts through the Senft Family Foundation.
Mahesh Chandra Sharma, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Mahesh Sharma is a civic-minded philanthropist and leader. A beloved professor and mentor at Concordia University, he established scholarships to honour the memory of his family who were victims of Air India Flight 182. He also actively champions social causes supporting vulnerable individuals and the wider community.
Georges St-Pierre, C.M.
Saint-Isidore, Quebec
Georges St-Pierre is a former world champion mixed martial artist. Over six years, he defended his welterweight title a record nine times and later also claimed the middleweight title. His foundation helps youth, counters bullying, promotes physical activity, and provides yearly scholarships to student-athletes through the Fondation Aléo.
Chris G. Tambakis, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Chris Tambakis is a recognized leader in Canadian commercial real estate who has made significant contributions to industry practices in Canada and abroad. A passionate philanthropist and active volunteer, he champions numerous health care, education and community causes. His business acumen and dedicated patronage continue to enhance Ontario’s social and economic development.
The Honourable Claudette Tardif, C.M., A.O.E.
Edmonton, Alberta
Former senator Claudette Tardif has distinguished herself by her exemplary commitment to recognizing and promoting the language rights of Canada’s minority communities and to championing the Canadian Francophonie. As dean of the University of Alberta’s Faculté Saint-Jean, she was actively involved in developing innovative post-secondary academic programs that have since improved access to French education for many Albertans.
Homer Chin-nan Tien, C.M., O.M.M., C.D.
Toronto, Ontario
Homer Tien is a trauma surgeon at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and a former front-line military physician. He works to improve trauma care for people in remote areas, including injured soldiers and First Nations communities. At the helm of the Ornge air ambulance service, he fosters a stronger connection between civilian and military health care systems.
Gilbert Donald Walsh, C.M.
Peterborough, Ontario
Donnie Walsh is recognized as the father of Canadian blues music. This co-founder and leader of The Legendary Downchild Blues Band has been an instrumental figure on the national blues scene for over half a century. His music has inspired generations of acts, including international pop culture icons the Blues Brothers.
Greg Wells, C.M.
Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Greg Wells is a Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has worked on best-selling albums for the likes of Adele, John Legend, Rufus Wainright and Céline Dion, and on blockbuster soundtracks for Wicked and The Greatest Showman. He also funds music scholarships in Canada and donates instruments to students around the world.
Timothy Joseph Whelan, C.M.
Hamilton, Ontario
Timothy Whelan is a world-class radiation oncologist. His research has redefined radiation therapy’s use in the treatment of breast cancer, improving survival rates and limiting side effects. He has mentored many trainees, solidifying the reputations of McMaster University and the Juravinski Cancer Centre as leaders in oncology clinical trial training.
Stephen Adrian White, C.M.
Moncton, New Brunswick
A Canadian authority on Acadian genealogy, Stephen White has trained and inspired several generations of archivists and technicians in the Maritimes. As the author of the Dictionnaire généalogique des familles acadiennes, he has left Acadians an outstanding genealogical work honouring them. More importantly, he has helped millions around the world discover their Acadian roots and heritage.
This is an honorary appointment.
Ruth Doreen Williams, C.M., O.B.C.
Kamloops, British Columbia
Originally from the High Bar Indian Band, currently registered with the Tsilhqot’in Nation, Ruth Williams has promoted community-level economic and social development her whole life. Notably, she is a founding member and former president and CEO of All Nations Trust Company, an Indigenous-owned financial institution supporting Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.