Presentation of Honours in Vancouver

The Governor General presented honours to more than 150 remarkable Canadians during two ceremonies at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver, British Columbia. "Each of these great Canadians is making this a better country, one day at a time, one remarkable act a time," said His Excellency. "Today, we’re here to say thank you for your compassion, for your excellence, for your sacrifices."

The Caring Canadian Award was presented to Sally Anderson. Over the past 10 years, Ms. Anderson has emerged as a volunteer leader in Port Alberni, through her contributions to the NeighbourLink Society, which provides social outreach, as well as for her work as the coordinator of its Read and Feed program. Through her dedication and management of over 100 volunteers, she has facilitated an atmosphere at three local schools where students receive proper nutrition, through a Breakfast Club of Canada program, and interact with local elders and role models.

The Lieutenant Governors of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan and the Commissioner of Yukon joined Their Excellencies for both the morning and afternoon ceremonies (from left to right: Her Honour the Honourable Lois E. Mitchell (Alberta), Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon (British Columbia), Their Excellencies, Her Honour the Honourable Vaughn Schofield (Saskatchewan) and the Honourable Doug Phillips (Yukon).

Students at the University of British Columbia's School of Music sang during a musical interlude.

Elder Larry Grant extended a welcome to the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Musqueam people.

In December 2013, Sergeant Harding and Master Corporal Irvine were instrumental in spearheading Send Up the Count, a grassroots mental health initiative. The project encouraged military personnel to reach out via social media and other methods to serving and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces who may be in danger of harming themselves. Within a week, they had reached over 9 000 members and greatly helped in combatting the stigma associated with mental illness. The two men received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) for their exemplary deed.

On December 19, 2012, Kevin Hiebert, retired corporal Michael Loerke, Deputy Fire Chief Brent Penner, Cindy Rogers, Donald St. Pierre and Constable Carl Stene attempted to rescue a woman from a vehicle submerged in Wood Lake, near Kelowna, British Columbia. Mr. St. Pierre and Ms. Rogers swam out six metres through the freezing water to reach the Jeep and break its windows. Mr. Hiebert, Corporal Loerke, Deputy Fire Chief Penner and Corporal Stene then wrapped ropes around the vehicle to have it pulled to shore. Once in shallower waters, they were able to pull the victim out, but sadly, she did not survive. The group received the Medal of Bravery for their actions.

The Canadian Coast Guard Exemplary Service Medal was presented to Ms. Kelly D. Alendal, Operations Specialist at the Canadian Coast Guard, in recognition of her 20 years of loyal and exemplary service to public safety in Canada.

The Caring Canadian Award was presented to Joelle Moses, an organizer of several events that promote inclusivity, community, personal wellness, social justice and community outreach at the Point Grey Secondary School. She also regularly organizes writing campaigns and donation drives to support marginalized groups throughout the city.

The Caring Canadian Award was presented to Stephen Lytton. Refusing to accept the marginalization of First Nations people with disabilities, Mr. Lytton has volunteered with the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society since 1991, where he currently serves as president. Under his leadership, the Society promotes Aboriginal participation in community planning and provides disability, health and social support services throughout the province.

The Caring Canadian Award was presented to Zora Singh Jhajj who, for more than 30 years, has volunteered with many non-profit, cultural and athletic groups, and events in Edmonton. In addition to serving on various committees, he has helped with fundraising, officiating at athletic events, and organizing food drives and programs for the poor. He has contributed significantly to the well-being of his community and has inspired others to get involved as well.

The Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) was presented to Lieutenant-Colonel Sydney Burrows (Ret'd) who spearheaded the creation of In the Service of Canada, the seventh Book of Remembrance housed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. Its pages preserve the names of Canadian Armed Forces personnel who died while on duty between October 1947 and the present day, with the exception of those who were involved in the Korean War. The Books of Remembrance remind us that freedom and peace come at a great price.

The Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) was presented to Morgan Wienberg, co-founder of Little Footprints, Big Steps, a safe transitional house for victims of poverty and neglect. Only 19 years old, she has devoted herself to providing street kids with shelter, food, education and health care. She mobilized support at home and in Haiti, helping families become self-sufficient and reunite with their abandoned children.

The Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific also performed during the ceremonies.