Officers

Naomi Sara Azrieli, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario

Naomi Azrieli brings people and institutions together to address issues related to science, health, education and community. Chair and CEO of the Azrieli Foundation, she has helped it grow into the largest foundation of its kind in Canada, and created numerous initiatives that enrich the country and uphold her family’s legacy of giving. As chair of the Brain Canada Foundation, she has helped increase the scale and scope of and support for Canadian brain research across the public, private and voluntary sectors. She is a passionate advocate for people who are neurodiverse, caregivers and Holocaust survivors.

Barry D. Bultz, O.C., A.O.E.
Calgary, Alberta

Barry Bultz is an internationally renowned leader in the field of psycho-oncology. A founding member of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology and a past president of the International Psycho-Oncology Society, he refined and advanced the practice of measuring a patient’s distress as the sixth vital sign, a standard which is now endorsed by more than 70 international organizations, and has changed cancer care in Canada and around the world. His groundbreaking work has improved the lives of countless patients, their families and their caregivers.

Gordon Muir Campbell, O.C., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia

In a career spanning 30 years, Gordon Campbell has left his mark on his city, province and country. As mayor of Vancouver and then premier of British Columbia for three consecutive terms, he spearheaded initiatives to enhance the liveability of the city and the prosperity of the province. Under his leadership, British Columbia established a New Relationship with First Nations, introduced innovative climate change measures, and hosted a highly successful 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. His distinguished service culminated in his role as Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Pieter Cullis, O.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Pieter Cullis is a scientific luminary, an academic giant and an ambitious entrepreneur. His decades of innovative research in nano-therapeutics, including the lipid-based delivery systems used in mRNA vaccines, has garnered international recognition. As the driving force behind many biotechnology companies and knowledge-transfer initiatives, he has bridged the gap between academic discovery and the development of life-saving therapies. Through his decades of work, he has also helped position Canada as a leader in molecularly based and data-driven medicine.

Donald Bruce Dingwell, O.C.
Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Munich, Germany

Donald Dingwell is a dedicated proponent of scientific pursuit. The world-renowned volcanologist’s experimental studies have led to more accurate predictions and, consequently, management of eruptions. A founder of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at Munich’s Ludwig Maximilian University, and former secretary general of the European Research Council, he has broadly shared his passion for the geosciences and his belief in science’s role in public policy formation. A leader within multiple research organizations and initiatives, he remains a strong promoter of Canadian research and scientific exchange.

Peter E. Gilgan, O.C., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario

Renowned community builder Peter Gilgan is one of the country’s leading benefactors. As the founder of the largest privately owned homebuilding company in North America, he continues to leverage his successes to advance health care and education initiatives in Canada and abroad. Through his eponymous foundation and personal donations, he inspires generosity in others, and has gifted more than $250 million to a variety of local and international causes, including The Hospital for Sick Children, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation.

Brigitte Haentjens, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec

For the past 40 years, Brigitte Haentjens’ essential work has been enriching Canada’s cultural landscape. Her leadership and commitment to French-language theatre in Canada have enhanced its vibrancy and raised its profile. An innovative director and the first woman to lead the National Arts Centre’s French Theatre, she has helped bring several established theatre companies into the public eye. Additionally an author of fiction, a playwright and a poet, she is a fixture of our country’s arts scene.

David Thomas Lynch, O.C.
Edmonton, Alberta

David Lynch has meaningfully shaped engineering education and research in Canada. Professor emeritus at the University of Alberta and its dean of engineering for more than two decades, he oversaw the meteoric expansion of the faculty, and built a state-of-the-art campus to attract and inspire future generations. An esteemed advocate for the profession, he is at the forefront of science and technology as the former president of Engineers Canada and as a long-standing volunteer with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta.

Peter Pearson, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec

For more than 50 years, Peter Pearson made indelible marks on Canadian film and television as a filmmaker, writer and public servant. His pictures The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar and Paperback Hero are landmarks in Canadian cinema. Collaborating with luminaries, he championed the Canadian film industry, led key organizations and revitalized Telefilm Canada, by financing significant local films and enhancing both English- and French-speaking television sectors.

Alberto Pérez-Gómez, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec

Alberto Pérez-Gómez is an architectural historian globally renowned for his phenomenological discourse. For more than 40 years, he has bolstered his reputation as a leading expert through paradigm-shifting analyses that highlight the rising influence of technocracy, governance and legislation on contemporary building design. Professor emeritus of architecture at McGill University, he is also the founding director of the school’s History and Theory postgraduate program. His practical design and interdisciplinary theory have served as a model for architectural education programs across the country and around the world.

Helga Stephenson, O.C., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario

Helga Stephenson is an impassioned and effective ambassador for Canadian film and television. Throughout a career spanning four decades, this trailblazing executive left an indelible mark on the organizations she steered, notably the Academy of Canadian Film & Television and the Toronto International Film Festival, the success of which has positioned Canada as an international leader in the industry. A champion for social justice, she co-founded Human Rights Watch Canada, as well as its associated film festival, which raises awareness of injustice and empowers audiences to advocate for the oppressed worldwide.

Verena Tunnicliffe, O.C.
Victoria, British Columbia

Verena Tunnicliffe has been exploring uncharted waters for decades. Professor emerita at the University of Victoria, she has participated in more than 50 deep-sea expeditions and made major discoveries in faunal diversity, the dynamics of hydrothermal vents, and the patterns of species distribution. A creative innovator, she spearheaded the development of Canada’s first cabled sea floor observatory, the Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea (VENUS). An esteemed mentor, she has deepened our understanding of the ocean biota and has brought Canada to the forefront of the field.

David Waltner-Toews, O.C.
Kitchener, Ontario

A veterinarian and epidemiologist, David Waltner-Toews has studied and promoted the health and well-being of animals, humans and ecosystems. As founding president of Veterinarians without Borders–Canada and advocate for its international counterpart, and a founding member of the Community of Practice in Ecosystem Approaches to Health–Canada, he was an early proponent of interdisciplinary approaches to dealing with complex environmental, social and health issues. A true renaissance man, this University of Guelph professor emeritus has also authored 13 non-fiction books and 2 novels, as well as 8 collections of poetry.

Members

Frances Abele, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Frances Abele is Canada’s pre-eminent scholar of Indigenous political and economic development. A Chancellor’s professor at Carleton University, she has been recognized for her public policy research for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, which championed Indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination and self-governance in the North. She has also made significant contributions to understanding the dynamics of northern community economies, and underlining the need for change in Canadian institutions to support Indigenous self-determination. Her conscientious and committed work on rebuilding Indigenous governance has meaningfully advanced reconciliation in Canada.

Louis-Philippe J. Léo Albert, C.M.
Fredericton, New Brunswick

Agronomist Louis-Philippe Albert has dedicated his life to the development of his community. Over the course of his 30-year career in the federal and provincial public service, he was involved in a wide range of projects that fostered growth in the agricultural industry. A strong advocate for bilingualism, he has supported several major initiatives over the years, including the creation of the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick. He also helped found several organizations, including the Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne, an important anchor point for Fredericton’s Francophone community.

Granger Richard Avery, C.M.
Port McNeill, British Columbia

Granger Avery is a trailblazer in rural medicine. Throughout his distinguished career, and as co-founder of the Rural Coordination Centre of BC, he provided comprehensive medical service to remote populations. He has mentored the next generation of practitioners as a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia, and served as president of both the British Columbia and Canadian medical associations. His commitment to improving Canada’s health care system is grounded in collaborative efforts to increase patient access to services, enhance Indigenous well-being, strengthen supports for medical professionals, and develop team-based care.

Yaprak Baltacıoğlu, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Yaprak Baltacioğlu has made an indelible mark on the federal public service. After immigrating to Canada as an adult, she rose through the ranks and went on to serve in several senior roles with distinction, notably as secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. A consensus builder, she has served as an advisor to four prime ministers, effectively navigating through the challenges of alternating governments for the benefit of all Canadians. She is a trailblazer who has improved gender equality and women’s access to senior positions, fostering generations of leaders now serving nationwide.

Michel Beaulac, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

As artistic director, Michel Beaulac has played a leading role in modernizing Opéra de Montréal. A prolific and avant-garde set and costume designer, he has presented more than one hundred productions from his operatic repertoire that have reached new audiences and enhanced the institution’s reputation. His sustained contribution to Montréal’s cultural richness has helped raise the city’s profile on the national and international opera scene.

Marilyn C. Bodogh, C.M.
St. Catharines, Ontario

Marilyn Bodogh is a mainstay in curling. This two-time world champion also garnered prestigious victories at the provincial and national championship levels. Renowned for her vibrant personality on and off the ice, she elevated the public profile of women’s curling through media interviews, exhibitions and fan-based activities. She is also a dedicated member of her community, and has raised funds for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, Curl for Cancer and Kurl for Kids. Regarded as an ambassador for the sport, she continues to inspire and mentor young girls and women.

Jacques Bourgault, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Jacques Bourgault is a leading expert on public administration in Canada. A professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, then later at the École nationale d’administration publique, he demonstrated the crucial role that deputy ministers play in Canadian governance. A visionary researcher, he also proved the value of a management paradigm based on horizontality, allowing for a shift away from the traditional silo approach. As a consultant, he has helped improve public administration nationally and internationally, emphasizing the strength and quality of public services in Canada.

Bernard Brault, C.M.
Longueuil, Quebec

Internationally renowned press photographer Bernard Brault is a master of the art of capturing emotion and movement through his photographs. Working for the daily newspaper La Presse, he has travelled the world to immortalize our athletes’ highlights at major international competitions, including the Olympics, Montreal Canadiens games and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. His photos evoke wonder as they capture the intensity of a feat or a victory.

Geneviève Cadieux, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Geneviève Cadieux is one of the most influential voices in the Canadian art world. Nationally and internationally recognized for her large-scale photographs, which explore the themes of identity and gender, she was the first woman to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale in 1990, and has exhibited her works in prestigious museums and galleries around the world. In addition to her illustrious artistic career, she is also an associate professor in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University, where she helps to develop and administer Canada’s largest photography program.

William Foster Clark, C.M.
London, Ontario

William Clark is a prominent leader in the field of nephrology and epidemiology. Professor emeritus at Western University, he is also a clinical scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute and director of apheresis at the London Health Sciences Centre. His research has focused on preventing progressive kidney disease, notably by examining the benefits of plasma exchange, dialysis interventions and water health intake. As lead investigator of the Ontario Walkerton Health Study, he designed treatment protocols for those exposed to contaminated water, which have helped manage the long-term health effects on thousands of citizens.

Zane Cohen, C.M., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario

Zane Cohen is a groundbreaking surgeon of colorectal and digestive diseases. With a medical career spanning 40 years, he has spearheaded international advancements in the field through his innovative surgical methods and ongoing research. This University of Toronto professor played a key role in having colorectal surgery recognized as a health care specialty by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. As the director of the internationally acclaimed centre at Mount Sinai Hospital that bears his name, he continues to promote the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal inflammation.

Ethel Côté, C.M., O.Ont.
Rivière-Rouge, Quebec

Social entrepreneur, community catalyst and a leader in community business development, Ethel Côté has distinguished herself within the social and solidarity economy, both in Ontario and in the Canadian and international Francophonie. Founder of mécènESS, she has promoted the culture of caring and the common good. By supporting sustainable development, collective wealth creation and social transformation, she is contributing to the financial empowerment of marginalized groups.

Dorothy Ina Elgiva Dobbie, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Publisher and broadcaster Dorothy Dobbie is a business, civic and cultural leader. A former member of Parliament for Winnipeg South and current president of the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians, she has notably supported Indigenous organizations in her community. She has also advocated for arts and culture through her work with Culture Days Manitoba and as past president and chair of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. As president of the International Peace Garden and former chair of Tree Canada, she is sowing the seeds for a better tomorrow.

Eliahu Tzion Fathi, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Eliahu Fathi is a trailblazer in innovative technology. He is the co-founder, former CEO and board chair of MindBridge Analytics Inc., which developed the world’s first auditing tool based on artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. This leading risk discovery platform supports financial integrity, giving auditors, accountants and financial professionals the means to uncover fraud and errors in data. A mentor to future entrepreneurs, he served on the board of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Startup Canada and an Invest Ottawa subcommittee devoted to advancing women in the technology sector.

Madeleine Féquière, C.M.
Hampstead, Quebec

Madeleine Féquière is an icon of international trade. An expert in corporate credit risk management, she has worked in various sectors of the economy and with large corporations, notably Domtar, where she continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership. A sought-after speaker worldwide, she has also distinguished herself through her high-quality, in-depth articles published in specialized journals. Co-founder of Excellence Québec, she actively supports diversity, equality and inclusion by fostering the integration of promising young leaders into the management, finance and governance communities.

Susan R. George Bahl, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Susan George Bahl is an internationally recognized molecular pharmacologist and neuroendocrinologist. Professor at the University of Toronto and practising clinician at the Toronto General Hospital, she has made major contributions to the field throughout her nearly four-decades-long career. Her innovative research of G protein-coupled receptors has advanced pharmacological developments and impacted the health outcomes of Canadians suffering from a wide range of clinical disorders. Renowned for her research and clinical work, she is also a respected mentor to the next generation of neuroscientists.

Vivek Goel, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Vivek Goel is a leader at the forefront of the country’s health and research landscapes. A physician and researcher, he played a key role in establishing provincial health research and service institutions, notably Public Health Ontario. As an academic and administrator, he made impactful contributions to the University of Toronto, notably as a leader of its research division. He continues to influence public health and research innovation by supporting the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and through his appointment as the University of Waterloo’s seventh president and vice-chancellor.

Gordon Hicks, C.M.
Uxbridge, Ontario

Gordon Hicks has demonstrated that sustainable practices and success in business can be symbiotic. As CEO of BGIS, he guided the company through changes that reduced its environmental footprint and improved its energy efficiency, while contributing to its global expansion. A forward-looking leader in real estate, he initiated multilateral discussions with key stakeholders to further action against climate change, and founded the Building Energy Innovators Council. In addition to serving as a member of numerous boards, he supports youth mental health through Cam’s Kids, a foundation he and his wife established in honour of their late son.

Gérard Jean, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

A leading figure in Francophone music in Manitoba, Gérard Jean is one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation. The composer behind Histoire d’antan, considered by many to be the Franco-Manitoban anthem, he has been central to Manitoba’s artistic output, having had a hand in writing several pieces for various cultural and sporting events. His extraordinary dedication to Manitoba’s Francophone choirs has enabled him to showcase local talent on a national scale.

Adam Kahane, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Adam Kahane is a renowned group facilitator. A director of Reos Partners, he helps diverse teams of leaders from across government, business and civil society collaborate to find common ground and to move forward together on their most important and intractable issues. He has facilitated such processes in Canada and abroad, notably contributing to the end of apartheid in South Africa and the civil war in Colombia. A prolific author, he has helped build the capacity for peaceful progress worldwide.

Hal Philip Klepak, C.M., C.D.
Kingston, Ontario

Throughout his service with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, and since his retirement, Hal Klepak has been making substantial contributions to diplomatic and military history. Professor emeritus at the Royal Military College of Canada, he is one of the country’s foremost experts on Latin-American matters. Consistently contributing to Canada’s foreign relations as a diplomat in the Americas and western Europe, he was appointed president of the council at the United Nations University for Peace, where he is notably credited for having led a successful overhaul of academic programs.

Eva-Marie Kröller, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Eva-Marie Kröller has helped shape Canadian literature studies worldwide. A professor emerita at the University of British Columbia and a long-time editor of the prestigious journal Canadian Literature, she has attracted global attention to the discipline and given previously under-represented voices a platform. She also edited The Cambridge Companion to Canadian Literature and co-edited The Cambridge History of Canadian Literature, two essential references in the field. Her scholarship, leadership, teaching and writing have enriched Canadian culture and cemented its reputation around the world.

Gérard Raymond Le Chêne, C.M., C.Q.
Outremont, Quebec

For more than 40 years, Gérard Le Chêne has ardently promoted cultural diversity. Co-founder of Vues d’Afrique, the foremost festival exhibiting artistic content from Africa and the Caribbean, he has forged key intercultural relations between Canada and the countries of La Francophonie. He co-founded InformAction, a documentary production company that features dozens of his own films and those of his contemporaries. Through his work, he provided a space for creative mentorship and artistic growth, raising the profile of many Canadian and international filmmakers.

Gary Avrom Levy, C.M., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario

Gary Levy is an inspirational leader in the field of organ transplantation. A professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, he is the founding director of what has become Canada’s largest multi-organ transplant program: the University Health Network’s Ajmera Transplant Centre. He is also the driving force behind the Living Liver Donor program, which has saved thousands of lives and shone the spotlight on the importance of live organ donation. His research contributions have informed the science of transplantation immunology around the globe.

Joy Kathryn MacPhail, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Joy MacPhail has devoted her life to the betterment of her community. A member of British Columbia's Legislative Assembly for the New Democratic Party, she has been minister of numerous portfolios and was responsible for the establishment of landmark legislations, including the creation of the first provincial Child Tax Benefit, which inspired the analogous federal program. After retiring from politics, she pursued community service, and advocated vulnerable and marginalized groups, notably through the successful reformation of OutTV, the world’s first 2SLGBTQI+ television network.

Guy Matte, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Guy Matte has dedicated his life to defending the rights of Francophone minorities in Canada. Organizer of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie and executive director of the Canadian Foundation for Cross Cultural Dialogue, he has championed the protection of the French language, linguistic duality, multiculturalism and cultural diversity. His work has helped make Ontario an inclusive province that respects the rights of Francophones.

Brian Theodore McGeer, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia and Bingen, Washington, United States of America

Brian McGeer has taken aeronautical engineering to new heights. A former professor at Simon Fraser University, he developed the concept of passive dynamic walking, which influenced the study of human locomotion and the manufacture of legged robots. He made aviation history multiple times, notably for the first unmanned Atlantic crossing and the first unmanned typhoon reconnaissance. The founder and president of two companies, he is esteemed for his robotic aircraft designs, as well as for his enthusiastic collaboration with and mentorship of the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Roderick James McKay, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta

Following a distinguished business career, Rod McKay devoted himself to community building and philanthropic endeavours. As an inaugural director and chair of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, he guided the merger of regional and provincial branches, and helped create a gender-equal and diverse board of directors with representatives from across Canada. A proud Calgarian, he became a central figure in the region’s economic strategy, and was a long-time chair of Tourism Calgary and a bid leader for major national and international events.

Ben Mink, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia

For decades, Ben Mink has been a standout in Canada’s music industry, both onstage and behind the scenes. A multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, he has amassed a body of work that has garnered many prestigious accolades, including multiple Grammy, Juno and Leo awards. He has consistently lent his wide range of talents to Canada’s top artists, including Rush and k.d. lang. He has also lectured at universities in Canada and in the United States, sharing his extensive knowledge of his art with future generations.

Donald James Mowat, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario and Los Angeles, California, United States of America

Donald Mowat has risen to the top of his profession. A sought-after makeup, hair and prosthetics designer in the television and film industries, he notably earned British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Oscar nominations for the first opus of the sci-fi epic, Dune. Dedicated to his craft, he generously shares his time and talent by mentoring young filmmakers and high school students, and by participating in outreach programs as a member of various organizations, including BAFTA and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

W. Roman Petryshyn, C.M.
Edmonton, Alberta

Roman Petryshyn is a visionary leader in the growth of multiculturalism in Canada. A researcher at MacEwan University and the University of Alberta, he has written extensively on ethnic identity and community development, and has spearheaded numerous organizations that foster inclusion of the Ukrainian diaspora. He is the founder of the Ukrainian Resources and Development Centre at MacEwan University, and created several transformative initiatives to unite Canada and Ukraine, notably through a series of educational partnerships in business, health, agriculture, disability studies and the arts.

Guy Jacques Pratte, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Guy Pratte is a distinguished lawyer and committed volunteer. A senior counsel at Borden Ladner Gervais, he is a member of both the Ontario and Quebec bars and regularly appears before all levels of courts in the two provinces. He has helped improve access to justice as the former president of both Pro Bono Québec and Pro Bono Ontario. Passionate about the performing arts, he was the founding chair of the National Arts Centre Foundation and creator of The Appeal, a series of mock trials performed at the Stratford Festival.

Parminder S. Raina, C.M.
Hamilton, Ontario

Parminder Raina is a leading researcher in epidemiology and gerontology. A professor at McMaster University specializing in population health, he holds both the Raymond and Margaret Labarge Chair in Research and Knowledge Application for Optimal Aging, and the Canada Research Chair in Geroscience at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. As co-founder and lead principal investigator of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, he has lent his expertise in systematic review methodology to help shape national health care policy for a rapidly aging population.

Joel Solomon Reitman, C.M. 
Toronto, Ontario

Joel Reitman has touched the lives of many through his volunteerism and philanthropy. He is recognized for strengthening Jewish identity in Canada by sharing his expertise and passion for advocacy and political engagement, notably through the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee. He is also a generous benefactor of several prominent centres for research into neurodegenerative diseases, and is the co-founder of the Alzheimer’s Support and Training Centre at Toronto’s Sinai Health.

Jackie Richardson, C.M.
Thornhill, Ontario

Jackie Richardson has a voice that inspires Canadians. A legendary singer of blues, jazz and gospel, she has graced the stage and screen as an award-winning film, television and musical theatre actress. Recognizing the transformative power of music throughout her career, she has shared that knowledge through her mentorship of young talent, notably the students of Toronto’s Regent Park School of Music. A faithful community leader and volunteer, she devotes her heart and voice to supporting numerous charitable organizations and initiatives.
This is an honorary appointment.

David Nicholas Rush, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

David Rush has transformed the practice of kidney transplantation. A teacher and clinician-scientist at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre and a former medical director of Transplant Manitoba’s Adult Kidney Program, he is internationally renowned for his seminal research on graft rejection. By demonstrating how surveillance biopsies can lower the diagnostic threshold for rejection, his work has changed clinical practice worldwide, significantly improving survival rates and patient outcomes. His decisive leadership and mentorship have made the University of Manitoba an internationally recognized centre of excellence in this field.

Jan Sanderson, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Jan Sanderson has demonstrated a total commitment to the health and well-being of the children of her province. For nearly 30 years, she has helmed various government agencies, such as Healthy Child Manitoba which, under her leadership, has developed an extensive support network and strategies tailored to youth and their families. By offering them an environment conducive to learning, she has also given them the tools to reach their full potential.

Martin T. Schechter, C.M., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Martin Schechter has shifted the playing field in HIV/AIDS and addiction research in Canada. An epidemiologist and international expert in population health, he founded the Canadian HIV Trials Network and developed new therapies that have saved countless lives around the globe. He is also esteemed for his landmark clinical trials that studied treatments for severe opioid dependence. His groundbreaking research has shaped health policies, and helped advance Canada toward the goal of ensuring a safe supply of medically prescribed drugs is accessible to all.

Jacques Jean Meor Shore, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Jacques Shore has made multi-faceted contributions to our country through his professional and community service. This leading lawyer has addressed matters of national importance and has been involved in government-related initiatives that have influenced public security, international trade and human rights. A prolific author, he is admired for his publications that benefit lawyers, judges and the public, and has written children’s books that promote interfaith understanding. Generous with his time and advice, he supports non-profit organizations, notably in the education and arts sectors, and is the founding chair of the Library and Archives Canada Foundation.

Robert Irwin Silver, C.M., O.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

A leader in business and philanthropy, Robert Silver is dedicated to advancing community causes. Former chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, he strives to create more inclusive spaces in his region, notably through the creation of the Opportunity Fund, which offers financial support to under-represented and non-traditional students. Co-owner of several leading retail stores, he has shared his expertise on various boards and initiatives, notably as chair of the successful Millennium Library Community Campaign for the expansion of the Winnipeg Public Library.

Barry Smit, C.M., O.Ont.
Guelph, Ontario

Barry Smit is a leading expert in the study of climate change. Professor emeritus at the University of Guelph, this pre-eminent geographer and social scientist was one of the first to investigate human vulnerability and adaptation to our changing environment. A former Canada Research Chair in Global Environment Change, he has shaped national public policy, climate negotiations and international development programs through his influential work. He also served on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was a co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

Diane Sowden, C.M.
Powell River, British Columbia

Diane Sowden is a formidable advocate against violence and exploitation. A devoted mother, gifted with the tenacity to confront society’s most-feared abuses, she co-created the Children of the Street Society, and shaped policy and legislation to end human trafficking and child corruption. She led the movement to raise the age of consent and fearlessly lobbied for stiffer sentences for child predators under the Criminal Code of Canada. An esteemed mentor and role model, she has made British Columbia and Canada a safer place for children and youth through her groundbreaking activism.

Douglas R. Stollery, C.M., Q.C.
Edmonton, Alberta

Douglas Stollery is committed to bettering society, from its infrastructure to its people. An esteemed construction lawyer, he played a central role in developing the public-private partnership model in Canada and helped the industry become more inclusive. Harnessing his versatile legal expertise, he furthered 2SLGBTQI+ rights through Vriend v Alberta, a watershed constitutional case that determined sexual orientation was a human right protected under Alberta’s legislation. Former chancellor of the University of Alberta, he is a champion of education, health care, human rights and charitable initiatives at home and abroad.

Matthew Teitelbaum, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario and Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America

Matthew Teitelbaum has significantly contributed to Canada’s arts and culture scene. Under his visionary leadership, the Art Gallery of Ontario underwent a landmark expansion that elevated it to one of the country’s largest and most esteemed cultural institutions. Drawing from his fundamental belief that art can transform lives, he initiated inclusion and accessibility programs for youth, seniors and newcomers. As the director of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, he continues to lead the development of exhibitions and programs that attract and engage diverse audiences.

Guylaine Tremblay, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Throughout her career filled with memorable roles, Guylaine Tremblay has touched the public’s hearts and souls. An acclaimed actor for over three decades, she has enriched Quebec’s cultural landscape with her performances on television, stage and film, which have earned her numerous awards and honours. Committed to giving back to the community, she is actively involved with several organizations helping young people in need.

Ronald Julien Tremblay, C.M.
Edmonton, Alberta

Driven by contagious passion, Ronald Tremblay has been instrumental in promoting the emergence, advancement and influence of Francophone artists from western Canada. Co-creator of the Gala albertain de la chanson, Chant’Ouest and the Chicane albertaine, a music festival for young Franco-Albertans, he has built a support structure for musical creation at the local and national levels. An avid historian, he also co-led the creation of the Franchir l’espace : musique francophone de l’Ouest et du Nord canadiens repertoire of songs.

Janet Walker, C.M., C.D.
Toronto, Ontario

Janet Walker has highlighted the importance of civil dispute resolution. An authority on international commercial arbitration, procedural law and conflict of laws, she has advanced procedural standards and law reform in Canada and around the world. Beyond disseminating knowledge as a distinguished research professor at Osgoode Hall, York University, she has supported the legal community in many roles, notably as a proponent of diversity in arbitration. She also served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves for 35 years and was the longest-serving woman in her regiment.

James Malcolm West, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Jim West has made invaluable contributions to Canada’s musical landscape. Founder and president of Canada’s largest independent jazz record label, Justin Time Records, and of Wild West Artist Management, he has championed talent across the country and around the world for over four decades. He has played an essential role in music governance through his involvement with non-profit organizations, including FACTOR and the Canadian Independent Music Association, and is admired as a leading figure and generous mentor in the record industry.

Margie Wolfe, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Margie Wolfe is a leading women’s and social justice advocate in the world of Canadian publishing. A trailblazer of second-wave feminism in Canada, she co-founded Second Story Feminist Press Inc., a company committed to equity, inclusion and diversity in authored works. As its president and publisher, she advanced Holocaust literature for children, and promoted Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ communities in books. Through a collection of award-winning adult and children’s books recognized for their reach within minority communities, she successfully showcases Canadian authors and illustrators on an international stage.

Robert Stewart Wyatt, C.M.
Edmonton, Alberta

Bob Wyatt is a champion for the charitable sector. Executive director of the Muttart Foundation and faculty member of the Max Bell Foundation Public Policy Training Institute, he is a sought-after expert on charity regulation and reform. Through the creation of the Muttart Consultations and his leadership on the Joint Table on Regulatory Reform, he has enhanced the capacity of not-for-profits and improved the environment in which they operate. An esteemed author, researcher, volunteer and mentor, he serves as a frequent advisor to both governments and grassroots organizations.

Gregory Zeschuk, C.M.
Edmonton, Alberta

Greg Zeschuk has revolutionized the video game industry. As co-founder of the internationally acclaimed BioWare studio, he revolutionized the role-playing genre by creating such groundbreaking franchises as Baldur’s Gate, Mass Effect and Dragon Age. As he led the studio’s expansion across Canada and Europe, he fostered the talent of hundreds of Canadians now thriving in the industry. He went on to pursue other business endeavours in Edmonton, notably spearheading the creation of the award-winning Ritchie Market. He also strives to enrich the community through his efforts as a passionate benefactor of health care and education initiatives.

David Zussman, C.M.
Victoria, British Columbia

David Zussman is a national leading authority in public service management and policy. His interdisciplinary and evidence-based research has influenced leaders in both the private and public sectors across the country. Chair of the University of Victoria’s board of governors, he has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative relationship between academia, public service and government in Canada. A sought-after advisor, he has provided expertise to a wide range of institutions, committees, task forces and not-for-profit organizations, including the Public Policy Forum.