The first Speaker of the House of Commons freely elected by his peers, he is respected for many innovations he brought to the office, including a program of parliamentary cooperation with the emerging democracies of Eastern and Central Europe and the creation of the Public Information Office, to improve Canadians' awareness and understanding of Parliament. Parallel to his political career, he has been committed to and active in promoting environmental causes for many years.
Officer of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 1990-10-25
Invested on: 1991-04-17
President of a national conglomerate based in Winnipeg, he has built a considerable transportation network across the country and has revitalized bulk commodity transportation systems and transfer terminals. In addition to this vital service, he is known for his community involvement in business, education and artistic organizations.