Presentation of Honours at the Citadelle of Québec

The Governor General presented honours during two ceremonies at the Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec. More than 60 Canadians were recognized for their excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service with one of the following honours: an Order of Merit of the Police Forces, a Decoration for Bravery, a Meritorious Service Decoration, a Polar Medal or a Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.

His Excellency presented Christian Payeur with the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers for having dedicated his life to volunteerism. Since 2006, he has focused on his responsibilities as co-founder and board chair of the Fondation Monique-Fitz-Back, which promotes environmental education and a healthy environment with a view to sustainable development. He oversees strategic planning, volunteer recruitment, educational development and orientation, and financial partner searches.

Mélanie Monique McGrath received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers for her many volunteer roles, including as president of the Jeux de l’Acadie. She has always been an outstanding spokesperson and has established ties between the games and other Francophone organizations to benefit all Acadian youth.

On December 8, 2012, Naskapi Police Force constables Mark Fiset, Jessie James Fontaine and Jean-Pierre Lavigne rescued a detainee from a fiery death at the police station in Kawawachikamach, Quebec. The fire had spread quickly, filling the station with thick, toxic smoke. The constables took turns running inside the structure in a desperate attempt to reach the victim trapped inside his cell. They finally managed to unlock the door and pull the man out. Despite suffering the effects of smoke inhalation, they were able to remove the victim and bring him to safety. The group received the Medal of Bravery for their actions.

His Excellency presented Karen Goodyear with the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) for founding Children of Hope Haiti in 2002 to aid disadvantaged students and to build a new generation of Haitian leaders. The organization continues to support communities devastated further by the 2010 earthquake by sponsoring local schools, investing in wells for safe drinking water, and providing goats to families as sources of both sustenance and income.

During the afternoon ceremony, His Excellency invested Superintendent Peter C. Yuen in the Order of Merit of the Police Forces for his leadership of the Toronto Police Service’s Asian Organized Crime Task Force, notably in aiding individual victims, influencing revisions to human trafficking laws, and educating both civilians and law enforcement personnel; and for his roles as a youth mentor and advocate, and as the founder of a community-based scholarship program.

"Today, we recognize hard-working police officers; brave Canadians; military personnel and civilians; experts on Canada’s North; and generous volunteers," said His Excellency. "All of you are great Canadians, making this a better country, one day at a time, one remarkable act at a time."

The Governor General presents honours on behalf of all Canadians in communities across the country to help share inspiring stories, celebrate tremendous contributions to our society and connect with Canadians.

His Excellency presented André Gamache with the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers for founding Collaboration Québec-Haïti, a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged communities in Haiti. His efforts and the partnerships he built, were instrumental in helping the Haitian people rebuild the village of Labrousse – as well as their lives.

Petty Officer 1st Class Yves Bernard received the Polar Medal for making significant contributions to the discovery of the wreck of Sir John Franklin’s HMS Erebus in 2014. He was among the first divers and the very first navy sailor to dive down to the site since Franklin’s crew disembarked the Erebus 165 years earlier.

His Excellency presented Philippe Gélinas with a Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) for founding l’Atelier du Conte en Musique et en Images Inc. to raise awareness of how medieval music has shaped Quebec’s culture. History comes alive through concerts and workshops in communities across Canada, as audiences see, hear and sometimes play the cittern, dulcimer, hurdy gurdy, crumhorn, sackbut and lute. These are just a few of the more than 30 replicas of traditional instruments that the group features through its distinctive storytelling.

On January 25, 2014, six miners risked their lives to rescue a colleague following a workplace accident in Desmaraisville, Quebec. The man was trapped beneath a large rock 30 metres below ground. For more than 20 minutes, the rescuers frantically worked to free the victim, disregarding the threat of other landslides occurring in the area. With the only light coming from their hard hats, they struggled to lift the boulder off the victim and bring him to safety. Éric Naud (pictured) was one of the rescuers and received a Medal of Bravery for his actions.

His Excellency invested Staff Sergeant Lauren Weare in the Order of Merit of the Police Forces for the strong relationships she has built between the RCMP and the communities she serves, notably among First Nations citizens and women victims of violence.

His Excellency invested Deputy Chief Timothy Farquharson in the Order of Merit of the Police Forces for his role in creating the Peterborough Drug Strategy Task Force, and for his tireless support for the Canadian Mental Health Association.