Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 30, 2003
• Invested on: December 10, 2004

A man of leadership and vision, Arthur DeFehr is respected for his business acumen and for his commitment to humanitarian initiatives. He developed Palliser Furniture into one of the country's largest residential furniture manufacturers. Dedicated to alleviating global poverty and hunger, he served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to Somalia and was instrumental in establishing the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and International Development Enterprises. Also a supporter of higher education, he played a pivotal role in launching the Canadian Mennonite University.