He has had an outstanding career as a public servant, university professor and consultant on post-secondary education, social policy and public management both nationally and internationally. Renowned for his expertise and highly respected by his colleagues, he was asked to lead the South Africa-Canada Program on Governance. His independent judgement, intellectual stimulation and enormous goodwill have been invaluable to the task of developing a new public service in the transition to democratic government. In the process he has represented Canada with honour and distinction, while building confidence and optimism in the South African civil service. This is a promotion within the Order.
Officer of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 1980-12-15
Invested on: 1981-04-08
A native of Insinger, Saskatchewan, he served the government of that province before coming to Ottawa, where he held several senior posts in the Canadian government before assuming the presidency of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1975. In recognition of thirty-five years of distinguished public administration.