Officer of the Order of Canada
- Awarded on: November 19, 2012
- Invested on: May 03, 2013
A staunch defender of all things Canadian, Sheila Copps always stands up for what she believes in. Our first female deputy prime minister, she is best known for her contributions as the minister of Canadian Heritage and as a champion of cultural, Aboriginal and women's issues. For decades, she has encouraged women to participate in public life by supporting such groups as Equal Voice and the Famous 5 Foundation. A strong advocate for cultural diversity, she has been involved in projects as diverse as the rebuilding of a Hindu temple in Hamilton and the construction of a new school in Haiti.