Order of Canada Investiture Ceremony

On Fridday, May 13, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presided over an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall.

The National Anthem was sung Sergeant Garth Hampson.

Never satisfied with knowledge for its own sake, in all that he has done Leigh Syms, C.M. (Winnipeg, Manitoba) has emphasized the importance of communicating archaeological discoveries to the public. A long-time curator at the Manitoba Museum, he built a bridge between archaeologists and Canada’s First peoples through his work. Aboriginal citizens have rediscovered their heritage through exhibits he has curated in their own communities and through their involvement in the interpretation of the artifacts he has found. His mentoring, public workshops and voluntary service have also inspired others to become amateur and professional archaeologists.

Louise Richer, C.M. (Montreal, Quebec) has had a significant impact on Quebec’s comedy landscape. Former artistic co-director of Les Lundis Juste pour rire, she is especially well known as the founder and executive director of the École nationale de l’humour, the first of its kind in the world, which she developed into an internationally respected institution. Known for her acting talents, she has also worked as artistic director and director of major televised events, such as the “Gala Les Olivier” and the “Bye Bye” specials

Johann Koss, C.M. (Toronto, Ontario and Drammen, Norway) has left his mark both as an Olympian and a social entrepreneur. As an Olympic speed skater representing Norway, he won 4 gold medals and set 10 world records, achieving iconic status in his sport. Leading by example, he also rallied his fellow athletes to use their public profile to raise money for charitable causes. After his Olympic career, he moved to Canada and founded Right To Play International, a not-for-profit organization that uses sport and play to build quality education programs, improve health, develop life skills and foster peace among children and in communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. (This is an honorary appointment.)

Russ Howard, C.M., O.N.L. (Moncton, New Brunswick) has helped raise the profile of curling in Canada and around the world. A legendary athlete, he is a two-time Canadian and world champion and a 2006 Olympic gold medallist. Known for his emphatic “hurry hard” on the ice, he also invented the Free Guard Zone, a rule that added strategy and excitement to the game. He shares his passion for the game as a coach and mentor, a popular broadcaster and a supporter of many charitable causes.

Graham Greene, C.M.(Stratford, Ontario) is one of Canada’s most prolific and iconic actors. He has appeared in over 100 different films and television series, notably the Academy Award-winning Dances with Wolves and the long-running “North of 60.” With talent and natural presence, he has broken the mould that previously typecast Aboriginal characters and has blazed a trail for the next generation of actors. A veteran of the Stratford Festival, he also serves as a role model, especially in his home community of Six Nations of the Grand River.

With perseverance and entrepreneurial acumen, Wayne Chiu, C.M. (Calgary, Alberta) turned his experiences as a new immigrant into a success story. Overcoming economic and personal challenges, he founded and built Trico Homes into a thriving business. He then set up a charitable foundation that funds loans for immigrants to obtain Canadian professional qualifications, and programs that provide foreign-trained professionals with practical Canadian work experience. He is also committed to promoting social enterprise, innovation and capacity-building in the non-profit sector.

Nathalie Bondil, C.M., C.Q. (Montreal, Quebec) is an inspiring museologist known for her vitality, creativity and openness. As both the director and chief curator of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, she developed an outstanding social and educational mission, oversaw the museum’s expansion with the creation of two new pavilions, and put together multidisciplinary exhibitions to reach as many people as possible. Under her leadership, the institution doubled its attendance figures and joined the exclusive ranks of museums that have welcomed one million visitors in a single year. Through her efforts, the museum also became Canada’s leading exporter of exhibitions to museums in other countries.

Legal scholar Stephen Toope, O.C. (Toronto, Ontario) is a thoughtful voice in higher education and international law. As dean of law at McGill University and as president of the University of British Columbia, he led curriculum renewal in legal education and advanced post-secondary research and innovation. Founding CEO of the Trudeau Foundation, he is also a leading authority in international human rights, and is sought after for his expertise and advice by social justice organizations and governments in Canada and around the world.

Steve Nash O.C., O.B.C.(Victoria, British Columbia and Manhattan Beach, California) is one of Canada’s best-known athletes and sports ambassadors. His outstanding play on the basketball court is matched only by his passion for helping others. Named the NBA’s most valuable player two years in a row, as well as Canadian athlete of the year several times, he has also been recognized for his unstinting support of various charitable causes. He established the Steve Nash Foundation to assist underserved children in Canada, the United States and Paraguay.

Janet Rossant, C.C.(Toronto, Ontario) has challenged existing paradigms and established entirely new concepts in developmental biology. As a professor at the University of Toronto, she has characterized genes that are critical to the earliest stages of embryonic development and discovered control systems that enable cell differentiation. Her globally renowned research is foundational to the development of new treatments for a range of conditions including cancer and degenerative diseases. Also a gifted administrator, she served for a decade as the chief of research at the Hospital for Sick Children and has presided over leading international societies in her field.

Thanks to Arthur McDonald, C.C.(Kingston, Ontario), we have solved one of the mysteries of our solar system. In what is now a Nobel Prize-winning breakthrough accomplished two kilometres underground at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, he steered a major experiment that conclusively demonstrated that a class of solar particles undergoes transformation on its way to Earth. This finding has shed light on the very nature of matter in our universe, and spawned a range of new particle physics research. Also a professor emeritus at Queen’s University, he has been a prominent ambassador of Canadian science through his service on advisory committees and as a keynote speaker at conferences the world over.

The Governor General, who is chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order, bestowed the honour on 2 Companions, 4 Officers and 42 Members.

"Ours is an unfinished country. You — like me, like Shaw — dream of what can be. On Canada’s birthday, I hope that we can look at what gift we can give, what we can do to make this a smarter, more caring nation."