Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 30, 2003
• Invested on: October 30, 2004

For decades, Janet Somerville has been an advocate for interfaith understanding, human rights and peace. Whether as a journalist, activist or teacher, she has provided a consistent example of faith in action. She was the first producer of CBC radio's Ideas and associate editor of the independent faith and justice-oriented newspaper Catholic New Times. In 1997, she was appointed General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, the first woman and first Roman Catholic to hold this position. Described as a gracious yet forceful leader, she helped create a model of ecumenism admired worldwide and continues to be a strong voice on global social issues.