February 8, 2019

OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, will invest 6 Officers and 18 Members into the Order of Canada during a ceremony at the Citadelle of Québec, on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be streamed online at www.gg.ca/.

About the Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours. Its Companions, Officers and Members take to heart the motto of the Order: DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (“They desire a better country”).

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Close to 7 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. Those who bear the Order’s iconic snowflake insignia have changed our nation’s measure of success and, through the sum of their accomplishments, have helped us build a better Canada.

Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. For more information about the Order of Canada or to nominate someone, visit www.gg.ca/en/honours.

A schedule for the investiture ceremony, the list of recipients with citations, and a backgrounder on the Order of Canada are attached.

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Média interested in covering the ceremony are asked to confirm their attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office, and must arrive no later than 10:15 a.m. on the day of the ceremony. Accreditation must be shown at the Citadelle gate (Côte de la Citadelle, near the St. Louis Gate) prior to accessing the Ballroom via the administration door.

Media information:

Sara Régnier-McKellar
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-2569 (office)
613-301-2465 (cell)
sara.regnier-mckellar@gg.ca

Follow GGJuliePayette and RideauHall on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

CEREMONY SCHEDULE

Members of the media are asked to observe the following schedule:

10:15 a.m.:	Media arrive at the Citadelle of Québec
11 a.m.:	Ceremony begins
	The Governor General speaks
	The Governor General presents the insignia of the Order of Canada
11:45 a.m.:	Interviews with recipients

RECIPIENTS’ CITATIONS

OFFICERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

Christiane Ayotte, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec

A chemist, researcher and professor, Christiane Ayotte is renowned as a global leader in the fight against doping in sport. For over 25 years, she has led the only doping control laboratory in Canada accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. In 2010, she coordinated the analyses of samples during the Vancouver Olympic Games, setting the industry standard for quality. By fighting doping in all sport disciplines, she is continuing to elevate Canada’s reputation.

Chantal Benoit, O.C.
Vaughan, Ontario

Chantal Benoit is an icon of women’s wheelchair basketball. A member of Team Canada for 27 years, she has won three Paralympic gold medals and four world championship titles. Often called the “Michael Jordan” of her sport, she is considered the greatest woman to have ever played the game. A role model for many athletes, she inspires her teammates, opponents and the next generation of female players to excel. Off the court, she is a tireless advocate for inclusive sport.

Lise Bissonnette, O.C., O.Q.
Montréal, Quebec

Award-winning and prolific author Lise Bissonnette is a leading figure in the world of communications in Canada. A journalist and political commentator, she contributed to the pages of Canada’s major newspapers, such as Le Devoir, where she made her mark as editor-in-chief and was responsible for its renewal. As the founder of the Grande Bibliothèque du Québec, she managed its merger with the province’s library and archives network to form the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, an institution that has become a leader in its field. She remains committed to advancing public access to higher education.

Jane Green, O.C., O.N.L.
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Jane Green has been at the forefront of genetic research for almost 40 years. A former professor at Memorial University, she worked closely with Newfoundland families to discover the genetic mutations of inherited diseases. Her research led to a new understanding of the molecular and clinical basis of certain diseases, notably vision loss and hereditary cancers, and to the development of new screening methods. Her groundbreaking work has led to a leading-edge research facility at Memorial and to many research partnerships throughout Canada. 

Louise Nadeau, O.C., C.Q.
Montréal, Quebec

A clinical psychologist, Louise Nadeau has dedicated her career to the study and treatment of various forms of addiction. As chair of Éduc’alcool’s board of directors, she demonstrated strong leadership during the “Moderation is always in good taste” campaign and in quantifying reasonable consumption limits. A respected researcher, she worked against the stigmatization of women struggling with addiction and was a pioneer in the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome. Her initiatives have set the global standard and extended the influence of Canadian research.

Neil G. Turok, O.C.
Waterloo, Ontario

Cosmologist Neil Turok has been instrumental in launching Canada to the forefront of theoretical physics. As the highly respected director of the Perimeter Institute, he is renowned for his cyclic model that provides an alternative to the mainstream inflationary theory of the universe. He has also endeavoured to increase opportunities for science education abroad by founding the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, a pan-African network of centres for teaching and research. Through his groundbreaking work, he continues to expand our knowledge and challenge the way we understand the origins of our world.

This is an honorary appointment.

MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

Andrea O. Baumann, C.M.
Hamilton, Ontario

Andrea Baumann is a nurse who has made significant contributions as a pioneering health services researcher, writer and award-winning academic. She serves in a leadership role in McMaster University’s global health profile. Committed to capacity building and transdisciplinary collaboration, she spearheaded important international partnerships that have been instrumental in training future health care leaders, educators and researchers. She has shaped policy and practice in Canada and abroad through her work on nursing workforce issues and health human resources.

Thomas Paul d’Aquino, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Thomas d’Aquino has a remarkable record of achievement in his service to Canada. As CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives for over 25 years, he led the business community’s engagement in public debate and in playing an active role in determining Canada’s economic future. His service also extends to the cultural and academic spheres, where he shares his skills and experience with some of our country’s leading institutions, notably as the long-serving chair of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation.

Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien has dedicated her life to upholding and expanding family businesses worldwide. With her husband, she grew Telemedia Communications Inc. into one of Canada’s largest telecommunications successes. She established the Business Families Foundation and cemented her reputation as a sought-after global expert in the field by offering courses and specialized learning centres to large family companies. Driven by a passion to give back, she has passed her enthusiasm on to her grandchildren, with whom she leads such initiatives as Aquahacking, which focuses on the environment and water sustainability.

Agnes Di Leonardi, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

Agnes Di Leonardi is an advocate for women leaders in Canada. A successful lawyer and senior executive, she has been at the forefront of the Canadian automotive industry for several decades. Her exceptional leadership is characterized by a professional and personal commitment to empowering women in business and in the community. Notably, she has been a key figure in the growth of the International Women’s Forum of Canada, a global network providing leadership development opportunities to women from across the country.

Abraham Fuks, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Abraham Fuks has made manifold contributions to the advancement of Canadian medical research, education and scholarship. Professor at McGill University, he has conducted research on the immunological aspects of type 1 diabetes, the molecular nature of tumors, and the metaphors of medicine, notably the impact of language on the physician-patient relationship. A dedicated academic leader, he has advocated for high ethical standards in the conduct of clinical trials involving human patients, and has significantly influenced medical practice through his teaching.

Peter A. Irwin, C.M.
Guelph, Ontario

Peter Irwin is recognized internationally for his contributions to understanding the effects of wind on man-made structures. He is the co-founder and former president of Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc., which has become the world’s largest private wind engineering company, one that is consulted by prominent structural designers and architects on signature projects. Notably, he has supervised the wind engineering for such projects as Petronas Towers, Taipei 101 and Burj Khalifa. A pioneer in the field, he developed a wind speed sensor now used in wind tunnel laboratories worldwide.

David Trent Jaeger, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario

David Jaeger has been at the forefront of creating, performing and promoting new music for decades. A producer of award-winning albums, as well as a gifted composer and musician, he is best known as the legendary producer behind the CBC’s iconic “Two New Hours” radio broadcast, which brought contemporary music to a wide and loyal audience. A curator of talent and a generous mentor to generations of musicians, he has nurtured the creation of ensembles and festivals, and played a vital role at the helm of CBC/Radio-Canada’s National Radio Competition for Young Composers.

Virendra K. Jha, C.M.
Baie-d’Urfé, Quebec

Virendra Jha has been a pillar of the Canadian space industry for over 40 years. He joined the Canadian Space Agency and rose through the ranks to become vice-president and chief engineering advisor. As such, he led a number of major projects, including the launch of RADARSAT, Canada’s participation on the International Space Station, and the Anik F2 program, which provided some of Canada’s most remote communities with access to high-speed internet. As an active participant in international forums, he was instrumental in making Canada a key player in the space sector.

Rhéal Leroux, C.M., O.Ont.
Ottawa, Ontario

For more than 40 years, Rhéal Leroux has been striving to promote the bounty of his region. He is renowned for his commitment to the community and for his keen sense of creativity in organizing major events at the heart of the Nation’s Capital. Winterlude, the Franco-Ontarian Festival, the 1984 Papal Visit, and the fourth Francophonie Games bear his imprint. Known for his commitment to promoting and protecting French language and culture, he supported the creation of the Cité collégiale and the fight to save the Montfort Hospital from closing.

Paul-André Linteau, C.M., C.Q.
Montréal, Quebec

With a long career spanning nearly 50 years, Paul-André Linteau is one of Quebec’s best-known and most respected historians. He helped develop post-Confederation history with a particular focus on Quebec and stimulated research in this field. A pioneer of urban history in Canada, he made it a fertile and dynamic field of study. His survey books and monographies have become authoritative reference material in academic circles and are widely read by the general public, both in Canada and abroad.

Timothy E. MacDonald, C.M.
Stratford, Ontario

Timothy MacDonald is a community builder. President of Ideal Supply, one of southwestern Ontario’s largest and most reputable employers, he has promoted a company culture of philanthropy and volunteerism. Dedicated to giving back, he has been a founder, board leader and patron of numerous local and regional organizations focused on enterprise, heritage preservation, the arts and education. His engagement extends beyond his local community as co-founder of the Arctic Research Foundation, which was instrumental in the discovery of the Franklin Expedition’s lost ships.

Edmund Metatawabin, C.M.
Fort Albany, Ontario

The writings of author, speaker and teacher Edmund Metatawabin are a testament to the healing power of words. His 2014 memoir, Up Ghost River: A Chief’s Journey through the Turbulent Waters of Native History, chronicled his story of residential school abuse and his journey to recovery. His words have manifested into advocacy for fellow survivors, notably through the St. Anne’s Residential School Survivors’ Association. A former chief, he is a revered traditional knowledge keeper and mentor of the Fort Albany First Nation.    

Sherry Porter, C.M.
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Sherry Porter is one of Nova Scotia’s most influential community builders. Her support for numerous not-for-profit organizations spans the fields of culture, education and health care, and her commitment to their long-term success is unparalleled. Notably, she was a key driver in the establishment of Pier 21 as a national museum and reinforced the financial viability of Symphony Nova Scotia. A member of the board of governors of Dalhousie University, she has been an essential liaison between the university and the community, and is dedicated to building lasting relationships within the province.

Michael J. Tims, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta

Michael Tims is one of Canada’s top advisors in corporate finance and investment. He helped build a highly respected investment firm and his expertise has been shared with businesses across the country. He has generously supported numerous not-for-profit organizations, within which he also held leadership roles, including the United Way and the University of Calgary. A passionate patron of the arts, he previously served as chair of the board of the National Gallery of Canada, one of our country’s leading visual arts institutions.

Mohamed Lamine Touré, C.M., C.Q.
Montréal, Quebec

Lamine Touré has devoted his life, his time and his talent to promoting African, Caribbean and Latin American cultures and music in Canada. The founder of the popular Club Balattou and the world-renowned Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, he created a mosaic of languages and traditions that reflect Canada’s multicultural tapestry, one dance step and one rhythm at a time. Through the creation of an award celebrating world music, he is also supporting the careers of musicians and artists— particularly emerging talent—from Canada and elsewhere.

Marjorie White, C.M., O.B.C.
New Westminster, British Columbia

Marjorie White’s wisdom reaches far beyond the Huu-ay-aht First Nation. For more than 50 years, she has been a tireless advocate for positive change in the lives of Indigenous people. She was instrumental in creating a support network for individuals migrating to Canada’s urban centres, which evolved into a national Friendship Centres movement that now serves thousands of Canadians. She has devoted her energy and creativity to various regional and national organizations, and was a founder of the Circle of Eagles Lodge, a culturally relevant halfway home for clients transitioning from the correctional system.

Ronald Franklin Williams, C.M.
Pointe-Claire, Quebec

Landscape architect Ronald Williams has helped shape the rural and urban environments of Quebec. A long-time professor and former director of the École d’architecture de paysage at the Université de Montréal, he has contributed to his field through his extensive body of professional work, teaching and publications. His seminal book Landscape Architecture in Canada traces our nation’s environmental evolution and progress. As co-founder of an international landscape and urban design firm, he is lauded for his award-winning projects that include Montréal’s Biodome, l’Île Notre-Dame’s Beach Park and Québec’s Jardin Saint-Roch.

Yiyan Wu, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

Yiyan Wu is a leading authority on broadband multimedia and wireless communications. As principal scientist with Communications Research Centre Canada, he has helped propel Canadian research and technology to the forefront of the field worldwide, notably by developing current and next-generation digital television standards. His innovative leadership in numerous academic and professional institutions has fostered international collaboration, and has had a broad impact on the development of the latest technologies in communications systems engineering.

ORDER OF CANADA BACKGROUNDER

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country.

Motto and Levels

The Order of Canada’s motto is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (“They desire a better country”). Her Majesty The Queen is the Sovereign of the Order, and the governor general is the chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order.

Companion – Post-nominal: C.C.
recognizes national pre-eminence or international service or achievement;

Officer – Post-nominal: O.C.
recognizes national service or achievement; and

Member – Post-nominal: C.M.
recognizes outstanding contributions at the local or regional level or in a special field of activity.

Insignia Description

The insignia of the Order is a stylized snowflake of six points, with a red annulus at its centre which bears a stylized maple leaf circumscribed with the motto of the Order, DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (“They desire a better country”), surmounted by the Royal Crown. It is struck in fine silver and is composed of three individual pieces: the snowflake, annulus and maple leaf. The colour is added by hand through a unique application of opaque and translucent enamel.

The design of the insignia of the Order of Canada dates from 1967, and is credited to Bruce Beatty, C.M., S.O.M., C.D. The technical drawings used by the Royal Canadian Mint in this new generation of the insignia were developed by the Canadian Heraldic Authority at the Chancellery of Honours, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. The insignia is manufactured by the Mint at its Ottawa facility.

Eligibility

All Canadians are eligible for the Order of Canada, with the exception of federal and provincial politicians and judges while in office. The Order’s constitution permits non-Canadians to be considered for honorary appointments. Members of the Royal Family, governors general and their spouses are appointed in the extraordinary category. There are no posthumous appointments. 

Officers and Members may be elevated within the Order in recognition of further achievement, based on continued exceptional or extraordinary service to Canada. Usually, promotions are considered five years after the first appointment.

Nominations

Any person or group is welcome to nominate a deserving individual as a candidate for appointment to the Order of Canada. Appointments are made on the recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada, an independent council chaired by the chief justice of Canada. Members of the Advisory Council on the Order of Canada reflect the diversity and excellence in Canadian society. Certain members are appointed by virtue of their office; others are appointed for a fixed term to achieve a balanced representation of the various regions of the country.