Meritorious Service Cross

• Awarded on: May 9, 2000
• Invested on: September 15, 2000

Shae-Lynn Bourne, M.S.C., Chatham, Ont.
Victor J. Kraatz, M.S.C., West Vancouver, B.C.
Meritorious Service Cross (civil division)

Since pairing up in 1991, Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz have graced Canadian ice dancing with their innovative programs and on-ice charisma. Their meteoric rise attests to their great technical and creative skills. In March 1999, they won, for the fourth consecutive year, the Bronze medal at the World Championships. Their courageous public stand against unfair judging practices has focussed attention on the skating association rules and, as a result, changes have been made to dance rules to make them more fair and equitable for all competitors.