Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 23, 2008
• Invested on: April 07, 2010

Brian Paisley is a cultural visionary who has left an indelible mark on Canadian theatre. A screenwriter and producer, he is best known as the founder of the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, a world-renowned event that provides young artists with opportunities to showcase their creativity. The festival has grown from an audience of 7 500 to more than half a million visitors annually, and the concept has spread to nearly every major city in North America. He recently produced the inaugural Victoria International Arts Symposium, and is the founder of the theatre department at Northern Lights College and co-founder of the Chinook Touring Theatre for young audiences.