Order of Canada Investiture Ceremony

Group photo taken prior to the formal dinner held in honour of the newly invested recipients of the Order of Canada.

Shaf Keshavjee, O.C., O.Ont. (Toronto, Ontario) is at the forefront of global innovation in thoracic surgery and lung transplantation. He is the director of the Toronto Lung Transplant Program and the surgeon-in-chief of the University Health Network. He is best known for developing a procedure where damaged donor lungs are housed outside of a body in a protective dome so that they may be assessed and repaired prior to transplantation. This technique has been emulated in medical centres around the world and has saved the lives of countless individuals who would otherwise have perished waiting for new lungs. Currently, he is developing stem cell and gene therapy strategies to further revolutionize the field of organ transplantation.

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.

A player, coach, manager and executive, Wally Buono, C.M. (Surrey, British Columbia) has left an indelible mark on football in Canada. A seven-time Grey Cup champion, he is the Canadian Football League’s winningest coach and one of its longest-serving executives in history. He has also mentored countless players and coaches, and has helped pave the way for other Canadians to have careers as professional football coaches. Off the field, he is a noted contributor to the community and is actively involved with a host of charitable and non-profit organizations.

Richard (Rick) Vincent Mercer, O.C. (Toronto, Ontario) is Canada’s pre-eminent political satirist. Through his roles on “This Hour has 22 Minutes”, “Made in Canada” and “The Rick Mercer Report”, he has cemented his status as a cultural icon. He is known for his fearless political commentary, for his ability to connect with Canadians of all stripes, and for his flair for showcasing our nation from coast to coast to coast. He is also a leading advocate for the arts and a tireless spokesperson for numerous charitable endeavours, notably the Spread the Net campaign to combat malaria worldwide.

"The reason you’re here today is because you’re among the most talented, driven and respected individuals in the country," said the Governor General. "And each of you belongs to networks of people who are making important contributions to Canada and to the world. Now, you’re part of a new network. We call it the Order of Canada."

The Governor General presided over an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall. As chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order, he bestowed the honour on 9 Officers and 35 Members.

Michael Phillips, C.M. (Shanghai, People’s Republic of China) has saved lives through his dedication to suicide prevention. Following his studies in psychiatric medicine and epidemiology, he travelled to China, where he has been a mental health researcher and clinician for three decades. He recently served as the director of the Suicide Research and Prevention Center at the Shanghai Mental Health Center. In this role, he helped identify the main causes of suicide in the country and developed prevention strategies that have contributed to a dramatic reduction in the national suicide rate. Also a key collaborator on World Health Organization initiatives, he has influenced mental health strategies in several countries.

Robert Mellin, C.M. (St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and Montréal, Quebec) is committed to preserving the built heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador. This architect has undertaken extensive and award-winning work in restoring buildings in urban and rural settings. In Tilting, an outport community, he partnered with locals to save their cultural heritage by preserving their houses, stages, flakes and root cellars. Also a professor at McGill University, he has authored publications on restoration best practices and on the development of modern architecture in Newfoundland. He is highly respected for raising awareness of the importance of saving both traditional and modern buildings to safeguard the province’s cultural landscape.

Chantal Kreviazuk, C.M. and Raine Maida, C.M. (Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. and Toronto, Ontario) have touched the lives of Canadians with their music and their compassion. These gifted musicians have each sold millions of records and achieved critical acclaim as vocalists and songwriters. Together, they have helped others achieve success in the music industry by writing songs for both accomplished and emerging artists. They are highly regarded for their efforts to raise awareness and support for numerous causes including human and animal rights, mental health, education and the environment.

Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M. (Winnipeg, Manitoba) is known as a champion of education and of the Francophonie in her province. As president of Université de Saint-Boniface, she broadened the range of post-secondary educational opportunities in French. She is responsible for the university college obtaining full university status, as well as for the construction of the health sciences pavilion. By developing a cadre of Francophone nurses and having a hand in establishing various organizations within her community, she has given Francophones wider access to health care and social services in French.

For decades, David K. Elton, C.M. (Calgary, Alberta) 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.

Brenda Clark's, C.M. (Port Hope, Ontario) creative talents have delighted children the world over. Illustrator of the iconic Franklin the Turtle books, she has brought this little turtle and his friends to life, enriching our imaginations with her creations. Her paintings, noted for their vibrant colours, vivid details and warm appeal, are beloved for making the impossible seem real. She also supports her peers and has mentored students, notably at Sheridan College, where she funds scholarships. As well, she has contributed to literacy foundations and has donated her life’s work to the Toronto Public Library.

Serge Chapleau, C.M. (Montréal, Quebec) is one of Canada’s most innovative and respected cartoonists. For the past four decades, he has been making us laugh with his illustrations, which have been appearing in La Presse for nearly 20 years and which invite us to reflect on the people and events that make the news. He developed a unique style using a very precise portrait technique and is a pioneer in his field, having created animated cartoons for his television program “Ici Laflaque”. In addition, he creates and donates drawings to support the fundraising campaigns of various charitable organizations.

Nancy Margaret Reid, O.C. (Toronto, Ontario) has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of statistical sciences. A professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of Toronto, she is also a devoted leader in the Canadian statistical community. Her research is aimed at finding more accurate and efficient methods to deduce and conclude facts from complex data sets, ultimately helping scientists find specific solutions to specific problems. As chair of the NSERC Long Range Plan Steering Committee for the Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, she helped to set a course for research funding strategies and to promote mathematical and statistical sciences for years to come.

Sarah Polley, O.C. (Toronto, Ontario) is a passionate advocate for Canadian drama. She first endeared herself to audiences as a child actor, notably in the popular television series “Road to Avonlea.” After landing leading roles in several art house successes, she turned her focus to filmmaking, where she continues to demonstrate the highest levels of integrity, creativity and skill. Her feature films Away from Her, Take this Waltz and Stories We Tell, which offer poignant narratives of human relationships, have garnered national and international acclaim.

In the evening, recipient Chantal Kreviazuk took to the piano to perform her new single "I Will Be".