Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 8, 2014
• Invested on: September 23, 2015

For his contributions to enhancing public policy debates in western Canada and for his leadership in facilitating effective philanthropy.

For decades, David Elton has championed public policy and philanthropy in western Canada. As president of the Canada West Foundation, he ensured that national policy debates on such issues as the environment, free trade and constitutional reform included a western Canadian perspective. In addition to his policy research as a professor emeritus at the University of Lethbridge, he has been at the helm of several granting foundations in Calgary, overseeing funding for innovative programing in the areas of music, children at risk, education, the environment, and health and wellness.