June 9, 2004 OTTAWA –Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, presented the insignia of Member of the Order of Canada to Joanne Farley, and the Medal of Bravery to Albert Shedrick during private ceremonies held earlier today. The following text is the official citation for Mrs. Farley: Joanne Farley, C.M. Pointe-Claire, Quebec Member of the Order of Canada Joanne Farley has dedicated her life to giving hope and opportunity to the disabled members of her community. With an unwavering commitment and her characteristic generosity, she developed an extensive network of services and integration projects, including the first special education class in the province for mentally disabled children. Founder and former director of West Island Citizen Advocacy, an organization that matches a volunteer advocate with a disabled person, she also helped to establish residences for individuals with special needs. She has also served on several boards of directors, including Friends for Mental Health and the West Island Council for Psychiatric Needs. The appointment for Mrs. Farley is in effect as of October 10, 2002. The following text is the official citation for Mr. Shedrick: Albert Shedrick, M.B. Ville St-Pierre, Quebec Medal of Bravery On December 21, 2000, Albert Shedrick saved a three-year-old girl and her two-month-old brother from a fiery death in Ville St-Pierre, Quebec. Mr. Shedrick was babysitting his neighbour's two children when he saw flames shooting out of a bedroom door. Slowed down by his wheelchair, he dropped to the floor and crawled to the little girl, standing near the flames. He then grabbed the infant in his cradle-seat and inched his way toward the building's front porch, some ten metres away, while shouting for help and guiding the little girl toward the exit. Exhausted and suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation, Mr. Shedrick collapsed as he reached the entrance hall, and he and the baby were rescued by another man. The award for Mr. Shedrick is in effect as of June 19, 2003. Backgrounders on the Order of Canada (Annex A) and on the Decorations for Bravery (Annex B) are attached. -30- Media information Lucie Brosseau Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-0287 Public information The Chancellery of Honours (613) 993-3524 or 1 800 465-6890 Annex A Order of Canada Backgrounder The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour. It is our country's highest honour for lifetime achievement. Three different levels of membership – Companion, Officer and Member – honour people whose accomplishments vary in degree and scope. Appointments are made on the recommendation of an Advisory Council, chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada. The Governor General is the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order. Membership in the Advisory Council reflects the diversity and excellence in Canadian society. Certain Advisory Council members are appointed by virtue of their office; others are appointed to the Council for a fixed term to achieve a balanced representation of the various regions of the country. The current members of the Council are: The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada (Chair) The Honourable Thomas R. Berger, O.C. Mrs. Ruth Miriam Goldbloom, O.C. Mr. Richard Francis Haskayne, O.C. Mr. Alex Himelfarb, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Tom Jackson, O.C. Mrs. Judith A. LaRocque, C.V.O., Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage Mr. Peter MacKinnon, Chairman of the Board, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada The Honourable Antonine Maillet, P.C., C.C., O.Q. Mr. Gilles Paquet, C.M., President, The Royal Society of Canada Ms. Nalini Stewart, Acting Chair, The Canada Council for the Arts Any group or individual is welcome to nominate deserving individuals as candidates for appointment. Any Canadian can be nominated for the Order of Canada. The only exceptions are federal and provincial politicians and judges, who cannot be appointed while holding office. Non-Canadians can be considered for honorary appointments. Annex B Bravery Decorations Backgrounder Bravery decorations recognize people who have risked their lives to save or protect others. Three levels — the Cross of Valour, the Star of Courage and the Medal of Bravery — reflect the varying degrees of risk involved in any act of bravery. The Queen created the Decorations for Bravery in 1972. Since then, more than 2,000 people have received Decorations for Bravery. The Governor General personally presents the decorations in ceremonies held at Rideau Hall or La Citadelle. The Cross of Valour is awarded "for acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril". The Star of Courage is awarded "for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril". The Medal of Bravery is awarded "for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances". Anyone can nominate a person they believe deserves recognition for a brave act by completing a nomination form. A brief outline of the incident, the names of the people involved and the place and date of the event are also needed. Nominations must be made within two years of the incident.
