Order of Canada
Companion
The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella, C.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Rosalie Silberman Abella is an icon of Canadian values. Born in a displaced persons camp to Holocaust survivors, she became the first Jewish woman on Canada’s Supreme Court. She set the bar with her landmark constitutional law rulings, and shaped equality and human rights worldwide. She is now an esteemed professor at the Harvard Law School.
Officers
Martha Rachel Friendly, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Martha Friendly is a leading figure in Canada's childcare movement. For the past five decades, she has tirelessly advocated an accessible and publicly funded early childhood education and care system, believing it crucial for women's equality nationwide. As executive director and founder of the non-profit Childcare Resource and Research Unit, she has been influential in shaping social policies impacting children, families and women.
Mellissa Fung, O.C.
London, England, United Kingdom
Mellissa Fung is an acclaimed veteran correspondent, author and documentary filmmaker. After being kidnapped in Kabul during her coverage of the war in Afghanistan in 2008, she chronicled her harrowing experiences in her best-selling book, Under an Afghan Sky: A Memoir of Captivity. Through her riveting films, she has become a powerful advocate for women and girls in war-torn countries, giving a voice to victims and calling for greater international protection.
Daphne Maurer, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Experimental psychologist Daphne Maurer has reshaped our understanding of the sensory world of infants. This professor emeritus and distinguished university professor at McMaster University is internationally renowned for her research on visual and cognitive development during early childhood, which led to new clinical practices and improved patient outcomes. She was also instrumental in developing and implementing Ontario’s universal vision screening program for kindergarten children, an initiative that is spreading across Canada.
Chandrakant Padamshi Shah, O.C., O.Ont.
Mississauga, Ontario
Professor emeritus at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Chandrakant Shah transformed public health education nationwide and championed Indigenous health throughout his career. He reshaped Canada’s citizenship exam and established the country’s first endowed Indigenous health chair, leaving a profound legacy of inclusion, scholarship and systemic reform.
Jozef Straus, O.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Visionary Jozef Straus has been a critical player in the rise of Canada’s high-tech industry. As co-founder of JDS FITEL, and CEO and co-chair of JDS Uniphase, he was at the vanguard of innovations in data communications and fibre-optic technology. A discreet and generous philanthropist, he contributes to many causes and organizations, notably those supporting disadvantaged or marginalized communities, the arts, education, science, health and nature.
Donald Lawrence Triggs, O.C.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Donald Triggs’ visionary leadership reshaped Canada’s wine industry, notably growing Vincor International into its largest producer and marketer. His entrepreneurial drive extended to influential roles in industry organizations. Beyond business, he is a committed philanthropist who supports education and the arts with passion and purpose, leaving a lasting impact on multiple sectors.
Members
Christi Marlene Belcourt, C.M.
Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta
Christi Belcourt is a Métis visual artist, environmentalist and social justice advocate. She is renowned for her large, painted floral landscapes inspired by Métis beadwork, which are found in many public and permanent collections across North America. She has also organized several national, community-based projects of note, including Walking With Our Sisters, the Willisville Mountain Project and the Onaman Collective. She devotes much of her time to supporting Indigenous language revitalization.
Daniel Georges Bichet, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Daniel Bichet is an internationally renowned nephrologist. Full professor at Université de Montréal, he has led major global studies and was the first to identify the AVPR2 gene responsible for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, thus preventing severe episodes of dehydration affecting those with the disorder. A prolific author and lecturer, and nephrologist at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur-de-Montréal, he supports several organizations, including The Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Gairdner Foundation.
John Allan Cairns, C.M., O.B.C.
West Vancouver, British Columbia
John Cairns has made major international contributions to cardiology, notably demonstrating the benefits of aspirin for patients with unstable angina, helping millions worldwide. As dean of medicine at the University of British Columbia, he led efforts toward its two-fold expansion. He also served with several academic societies and holds many elected fellowships, including with Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, for which he served as president.
Edward Herman Cole, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Edward Cole is dedicated to developing and delivering the highest quality of care to people living with kidney disease. An esteemed leader in transplantation, this University of Toronto professor was instrumental in establishing a kidney-paired donation program, a highly impactful process now practised in clinical settings worldwide. A force in academic medicine, he is a former physician-in-chief at the University Health Network.
Michael de Adder, C.M.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Michael de Adder is an acclaimed editorial cartoonist and astute chronicler of the world’s political landscape. With his cartoons appearing across North America, this prolific artist is admired for his deft draftsmanship, making him one of the most widely read cartoonists in Canada. An ardent defender of creative freedom, he was president of the Canadian Association of Editorial Cartoonists and served 10 years on the board of the Cartoonist Rights Network.
Lee Edward Errett, C.M., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario
Lee Errett is a global leader in cardiac research and care. He transformed St. Michael’s Hospital into a world-class centre for cardiac surgery, teaching and research. A long-standing professor at the University of Toronto, he is committed to educating the next generation of medical leaders. As founding president of the Bethune Medical Development Association, he volunteers his time and expertise to providing care in underserved areas worldwide.
William Anthony Fox, C.M.
Peterborough, Ontario
William Fox is one of Canada’s foremost authorities on archaeology. A research fellow and adjunct professor at Trent University, this retired public servant and long-standing leader of the Ontario Archaeological Society devoted his career to advancing knowledge of Canada’s archaeological past. He was among the first to advocate the participation of Indigenous communities in preserving their material heritage, thus broadening our understanding of Canadian history.
Arnie Gelbart, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
For decades, Arnie Gelbart has been in the vanguard of independent film and television in Canada. As the founder, executive producer and CEO of Galafilm Inc., he has overseen the production of nearly 400 hours of acclaimed and diverse documentaries, television series and specials, and feature films, which have notably been released in both official languages. He has also mentored many in the Canadian film industry.
Elly Gotz, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Elly Gotz is a Holocaust survivor and renowned educator who has mentored hundreds of thousands of students over three decades at education centres, high schools and universities. His acclaimed memoir speaks to the importance of understanding the conditions that bring about genocide and serves as a genuine counterweight to Holocaust deniers.
Sylvia D. Hamilton, C.M., O.N.S.
Grand Pré, Nova Scotia
Sylvia D. Hamilton is an esteemed filmmaker, writer, poet and artist based in Nova Scotia. Her award-winning films have premiered at festivals in Canada and abroad, and are taught extensively in schools and universities across the country. Her groundbreaking body of work documents the struggles and contributions of African Canadians, particularly Black women, and have helped to enrich and reframe conceptions of Canadian history.
Charles A. Hopkins, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Charles A. Hopkins is an esteemed educator at the forefront of education for sustainable development. As inaugural holder of the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability at Toronto’s York University, he has been instrumental in promoting sustainability as a core education principle, inspiring generations of learners to help shape a better future.
Madeleine Humer, C.M.
Victoria, British Columbia
Madeleine Humer is a beloved mentor and music educator in choral conducting. Her school choirs have performed with professional orchestras and choirs, and in many Pacific Opera Victoria productions. She is renowned for her work as the founder and past artistic director of the Victoria Children’s Choir, which was invited to perform in festivals and commemorative celebrations both in Canada and abroad. An admired soloist, she specializes in Baroque music and performs on stages worldwide.
Gillian Kydd, C.M.
Roberts Creek, British Columbia
Educator Gillian Kydd has reshaped how children learn and how teachers think about learning. She is the co-founder of the Open Minds/Beyond the Classroom Network, which takes teachers and students out of the classroom and into the community for week-long, hands-on experiences. Her innovative approach has inspired and engaged educators and thousands of participants, fostering curiosity and lifelong learning across Canada.
The Honourable Susan Elizabeth Lang, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Susan Lang has had a distinguished legal career. Co-founder of an all-woman law firm and the first woman to be president of the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association, she served as a judge in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice and Court of Appeal. Leader of the Motherisk Hair Analysis Independent Review, she influenced how scientific evidence is handled, and inspired the Ontario Forensic Laboratories Act, the first legislation of its kind in Canada.
Barry Paul Lapointe, C.M., O.B.C.
Kelowna, British Columbia
Founder and chair of KF Aerospace, Barry Lapointe has made lasting contributions to our country’s aerospace industry. Now Canada’s largest commercial aeronautical maintenance, repair and overhaul provider, the company also supports Royal Canadian Air Force pilot training and nationwide aircraft maintenance engineering instruction. As a dedicated philanthropist, Mr. Lapointe has contributed to post-secondary institutions and recently opened the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna.
Brandt Channing Louie, C.M., O.B.C.
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Brandt Channing Louie is a business entrepreneur and philanthropist contributing to public and non-profit organizations across economic, education, health and arts sectors. He is the chair and CEO of both London Drugs Limited and H. Y. Louie Co., Limited, a family-owned grocery retailer spanning four generations. He supports various community initiatives through the Tong and Geraldine Louie Family Foundation, and is a dedicated consultant on national anti-Asian racism strategies.
Mother Pierre Anne Rosaria Mandato, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Provincial superior of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Mary, Mother Pierre Anne Mandato has devoted her life to supporting young people, the elderly and the sick. As director of École Marie-Clarac and Hôpital Marie-Clarac, she helped both institutions grow by supporting several major initiatives, including opening a high school campus and building a palliative care wing. She has also had an international impact, founding the Hope of Life – Children of the World Association.
Richard Kelly Miskokomon, C.M.
Muncey, Ontario
Chief Joe Miskokomon is one of Ontario’s most committed Indigenous leaders. Chief of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and former grand chief of the Anishinabek Nation, he has helped advance First Nations self-governance, safeguard Indigenous rights and treaties, and encourage community economic development for more than five decades. He is noted for his successful negotiation of two major land claim settlements with the Canadian government.
Robert Panet-Raymond, C.M., C.Q.
Montréal, Quebec
A distinguished administrator, Robert Panet-Raymond is also renowned for his philanthropy. He supported the development of the Maison des étudiants canadiens in Paris by chairing its Comité au Canada, and contributed to the meteoric growth of Université de Montréal’s physical education and sports centre. An associate professor at Polytechnique Montréal and a former corporate executive, he is committed to business and finance, particularly as board chair of the Autorité des marchés financiers.
Linda Rabeneck, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Gastroenterologist and University of Toronto professor Linda Rabeneck is a leader in colorectal cancer screening and prevention. As Ontario Health’s vice-president of prevention and cancer control, she led the roll-out of ColonCancerCheck, the first province-wide colorectal cancer screening program in the country. Its success influenced the development of similar programs across Canada and around the world.
Mahesh Chandra Sharma, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Mahesh Sharma is a civic-minded philanthropist and leader. A beloved professor and mentor at Concordia University, he established scholarships to honour the memory of his family who were victims of Air India Flight 182. He also actively champions social causes supporting vulnerable individuals and the wider community.
Frances Marjorie Shaver, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Frances Shaver has made groundbreaking scholarly contributions to the field of sex work. Professor emeritus at Concordia University, she is lauded for her respectful engagement with those working and living in the industry. Many researchers in this field have been inspired by her approach to research, her advocacy, and her commitment to fight for legal and policy changes to support and protect marginalized Canadians.
George Mark Paul Stroumboulopoulos, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
George Stroumboulopoulos is a renowned broadcaster who fuses his authentic and thought-provoking interviews with culture, politics, news and comedy. A champion of music, he hosted and produced The NewMusic on MuchMusic, and CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, and anchors STROMBO on Apple Music’s global radio station. A supporter of social causes, he is the first Canadian Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme.
Zainub Verjee, C.M.
Mississauga, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia
Zainub Verjee is an artist, administrator, critic and scholar who advances racial equity and gender representation within Canada’s arts and cultural sectors. She is the executive director of Ontario Galleries, as well as a McLaughlin College fellow and senior fellow at Massey College. An advisor to government at all levels, she has shaped policy and legislation on issues pertaining to intellectual property, trade, cultural planning, artist labour and income.
Flavio Volpe, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Flavio Volpe is a policy expert on national trade and industry competition in Canada’s automotive and technology sectors who advocates investment in Canadian operations. He is president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, and served on the Ontario Premier’s Council on U.S. Trade and Industry Competitiveness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he mobilized Canada’s industrial capacity, resulting in the largest national build orders of ventilators, face shields, surgical masks and gowns.
Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division)
Meritorious Service Cross
Donald M. Cooper, M.S.C.
Stoney Creek, Ontario
Donald Cooper has played a crucial role in the establishment of the Juno Beach Centre in France. Through his dedicated leadership as President of the Juno Beach Centre Association, he has ensured that the memorial site continues to stand as a significant symbol of the contribution and sacrifice of Canadian soldiers during the Second World War.
Melissa Sariffodeen, M.S.C.
London, Ontario
Melissa Sariffodeen is the co-founder and CEO of Canada Learning Code, a not-for-profit organization championing computer science education and providing Canadians with further technical opportunities in an increasingly digital world. Through her remarkable leadership and innovation, the organization has grown to national heights, impacting hundreds of thousands of learners across the country.
Meritorious Service Medal
Maduba Ahmad, M.S.M.
Mississauga, Ontario
Hana Fatima, M.S.M.
Syed Tariq Quadri, M.S.M.
Orléans, Ontario
Maduba Ahmad, Hana Fatima and Tariq Syed founded the Good Neighbour Project, a network of volunteers that helped purchase essential items for those unable to leave their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative served as a vector of information for service agencies regarding the health status of vulnerable individuals.
Sulemaan Ahmed, M.S.M.
Khadija Cajee, M.S.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Sulemaan Ahmed and Khadija Cajee led the establishment of No-Fly List Kids after their son was mistakenly identified as an airport security threat. Over five years, they successfully mobilized an overhaul of Canada’s Passenger Protection Program, safeguarding the rights of thousands of innocent Canadians who faced similar wrongful profiling.
Sylvain Bergeron, M.S.M.
Christelle Lefèvre, M.S.M.
Sherbrooke, Quebec
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sylvain Bergeron and Christelle Lefèvre demonstrated exemplary leadership by repairing and distributing second-hand computers for free to students from disadvantaged families in the Eastern Townships. With the help of around 15 volunteers, this initiative enabled over
1 600 young people to continue learning.
Steffanie Bjorgan, M.S.M.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Steffanie Bjorgan founded Red Roof Retreat in 2001, a charitable organization offering high-quality and accessible recreational services and respite care to children and adults with special needs. Today, the foundation helps more than 200 families in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area.
Jeremy Stanford Burns, M.S.M.
Bowmanville, Ontario
Aaron Richard Dale, M.S.M.
Whitby, Ontario
Constables Jeremy Burns and Aaron Dale created the Military Veterans Wellness Program, which equips law enforcement personnel with veteran-specific training and crisis response tools. Their initiative enables real-time referrals to life-saving supports. Rapidly adopted across Canada and internationally, the program enhances community safety and honours those who have served.
M. Lee Cohen, O.N.S., M.S.M., K.C.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Lee Cohen established the Halifax Refugee Clinic, where he and his team provide free legal services to individuals seeking refugee and humanitarian immigration status, while ensuring their legal rights are respected throughout the process. He also engages with organizations on immigration law and settlement, reshaping public perception of newcomers in Canada.
Elizabeth Crocker, M.S.M.
East Chester, Nova Scotia
Richard Goldbloom, O.C., O.N.S., M.S.M. (deceased)
Gerhard Stroink, M.S.M.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
In 1985, Elizabeth Crocker, Gerhard Stroink and the late Richard Goldbloom founded the Discovery Centre, a non-profit organization that inspires curiosity and understanding of science and technology for all ages. The trio’s contributions were crucial to the success of Atlantic Canada’s premier interactive science centre.
The Meritorious Service Medal awarded to the late Richard Goldbloom was previously presented to his family.
The Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Gerhard Stroink will be presented to him at a later date.
Nathalie Fagnan, M.S.M.
Montréal, Quebec
In the midst of the pandemic, Nathalie Fagnan demonstrated outstanding leadership as president and CEO of Héma-Québec. By mobilizing her staff, volunteers, donors and provincial political authorities, she successfully maintained the biological product reserves at a time of great uncertainty.
Warren Gordon Garrett, M.S.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For over 20 years, Warren Garrett was an outstanding leader of Ontario Presents, a network dedicated to supporting the performing arts sector within the province. As the executive director, he played a pivotal role in uniting art professionals to uphold a collaborative and inclusive environment for the performing arts.
Josianne Gauthier, M.S.M.
Alexander John Poole, M.S.M.
Whitehorse, Yukon
Dr. Alexander Poole and pharmacist Josianne Gauthier partnered on implementing a treatment protocol for frostbite patients. They pioneered Iloprost for use in Canada—a drug that is typically used to treat a variety of diseases. Their approach has been successfully applied to numerous patients, minimizing the amputation of fingers and toes.
Bill MacLean, M.S.M.
Myra MacLean, M.S.M.
Wilmot Valley, Prince Edward Island
Following the passing of their son, Trevor, Bill and Myra MacLean founded the International Children’s Memorial Place, a park that fosters the well-being of families who grieve a similar loss. Through their continued dedication to helping others, they have offered community members a place to heal and find peace.
Maxence Parrot, M.S.M.
Bromont, Quebec
Olympic medallist Maxence Parrot is a model of courage and perseverance. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2018, he returned to the slopes soon after completing his chemotherapy treatments. He then became the spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada to raise funds for research and support services.
Bilaal Rajan, M.S.M.
Toronto, Ontario and Stanford, California
At the age of eight, Bilaal Rajan started a door-to-door campaign in support of the UNICEF Earthquake Challenge to help countries affected by the devastating 2004 tsunami. Since then, he has devoted himself to multiple philanthropic activities and is a relatable role model for Canadian youth. As the public face of UNICEF Canada’s fundraising efforts, he has sensitized countless Canadians to global issues and has promoted empathy for those less fortunate.
Robert Sears, M.S.M.
Saint-Hubert, Quebec
In 1999, Robert Sears founded Kurling for Kids. This charity hosts an annual tournament to raise funds for the CHU Sainte-Justine and Montreal Children’s Hospital foundations. Through his dedication and strong leadership, the charity has successfully raised more than $5 million in donations over the past 25 years through various fundraising activities.
Scott Alphonse Stirrett, M.S.M.
Toronto, Ontario
In 2013, Scott Stirrett founded Venture for Canada, an innovative charity focused on recruiting and training young Canadians, matching them with new start-ups, and helping them develop entrepreneurial skills. Through the Fellowship program, recent graduates gain experience that prepares them for successful careers.
Sylvain Vinet, M.S.M.
Boucherville, Quebec
As head of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau for 15 years, Sylvain Vinet oversaw an extraordinary growth in funds raised for pediatric oncology research in Quebec. Thanks to his dedication, this fundraising initiative has raised over $40 million to provide quality care to children with cancer across the province.
Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers
Eileen McCaughey
Orléans, Ontario
For more than 15 years, Eileen McCaughey has devoted countless hours to organizing and leading her knitting group, the Busy Fingers. Through her inspiring and unwavering dedication, she has brought more than 200 people together to provide thousands of knitted items to local organizations and individuals in need.