Jean-Baptiste (John) Arcand, C.M. - Saskatoon, Sask.
Tony Aspler, C.M. - Toronto, Ont.
Hélene-Andrée Bizier, C.M. - Montréal, Que.
Chrystine Brouillet, C.M. - Montréal, Que.
Elizabeth (Libby) Burnham, - C.M.Toronto, Ont.
Jean C. Chiasson, C.M. - Dieppe, N.B.
Joan Craig, C.M. - Halifax, N.S.
Mary Dawson, C.M. - Ottawa, Ont.
Armand de Mestral, C.M. - Westmount, Que.
Robert Doyle, C.M. - Stratford, Ont.
William Fitzgerald, C.M. - St. Anthony, N.L.
J. Barry French, C.M. - Oakville, Ont.
Muriel Gold, C.M. - Westmount, Que.
Charlotte Gray, C.M. - Ottawa, Ont.
L'honorable Lynda Haverstock, C.M., S.O.M. - Regina, Sask.
Zbigniew Kabata, C.M. - Nanaimo, B.C.
Craig Kielburger, C.M., M.S.M. - Toronto, Ont.
Douglas MacPhee, C.M. - New Waterford, N.S.
L'honorable René J. Marin, C.M., O.M.M., O.Ont., C.D. - Ottawa, Ont.
Robert R. McEwen, C.M. - Toronto, Ont.
Thomas W. Noseworthy, C.M. - Calgary, Alta.
Lola Rasminsky, C.M. - Toronto, Ont.
Leon Rooke, C.M. - Toronto, Ont.
Yoshio Senda, C.M. - Lethbridge, Alta.
Margaret Smith, C.M. - North Bay, Ont.
T. Kenneth Thorlakson, C.M. - Winnipeg, Man.
Jeffrey Turnbull, C.M. - Ottawa, Ont.
Jim Vallance, C.M. - Vancouver, B.C.
Howard White, C.M., O.B.C. - Madeira Park, B.C.
Clara Will, C.M. - Toronto, Ont.
Jean-Baptiste (John) Arcand, C.M.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
John Arcand is a master of traditional Métis fiddling and is a musical ambassador for his culture. He has also been a driving force behind the preservation of unrecorded Métis tunes. He has applied his skills as a performer and educator to promoting and popularizing this unique musical heritage. Through endeavours such as the John Arcand Fiddle Fest, and as a representative of Western Canada at the Fiddles of the World Conference, he has inspired other fiddlers to embrace this art form and has helped to bring it to light for both Canada and the world.
Tony Aspler, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Tony Aspler is a leading authority on Canadian wines who has made tremendous contributions to the growth and development of the Canadian wine industry. As a popular columnist and author, he has supported and promoted Canadian wines at home and abroad. He was instrumental in the development of the Vintners Quality Alliance, which provides regulations and standards for the production of fine wine in Ontario and British Columbia. He is also the co-founder of Grapes for Humanity, an international humanitarian organization working to help civilians who have been injured by landmines and children with prosthetic needs.
Hélene-Andrée Bizier, C.M.
Montreal, Quebec
Hélene-Andrée Bizier is an historian and essayist who, for over 35 years, has brought Quebec's history and culture to her fellow Canadians. She shares her passion for Quebec as a journalist, television host and author, and her many books paint an extraordinary picture of the popular and social history of the people of Quebec. Renowned for her ability to communicate with the general public, she continues to contribute regularly to a number of journals and reviews covering various cultural and historical topics, and champions the development of Quebec's heritage.
Chrystine Brouillet, C.M.
Montreal, Quebec
One of Quebec's most renowned novelists, Chrystine Brouillet has greatly influenced the Canadian literary scene through her vast ouvre, comprising a wide variety of original works. She is known for having given youth fiction and thrillers more visibility. Her books, translated into a number of languages, are enjoyed all over the world, and many have been adapted for the small and big screen. She has received a host of awards and distinctions for her body of work, including the Ordre de la Pléiade, and is a source of inspiration for our writers.
Elizabeth (Libby) Burnham, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario and Florenceville, New Brunswick
For decades, Libby Burnham has championed the role of women in all sectors of Canadian society. A successful lawyer, corporate director and volunteer, she serves as a generous mentor, sharing her expertise and passion for equality. Particularly determined to see more women in politics, she has been an advisor and fundraiser for women at all levels of government, and helped found Equal Voice, a multi-party group dedicated to increasing the political presence of women in Canada. As well, she has been a dedicated board member with the Wellesley Central Hospital, Trent University and the Canadian Club of Toronto, among many other organizations.
Jean C. Chiasson, C.M.
Shippagan, New Brunswick
A man of action, Jean Chiasson is known as one of the great builders of the Acadian peninsula. He has contributed in many ways to the region's social, cultural and economic development. Mayor of Shippagan for nearly 12 years, he also served as governor of the Université de Moncton, as well as founding president of the Pokemouche airport and of the Commission for Economic Expansion, and as president of the Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick and of the Association des villes du Nouveau-Brunswick. In addition, he played a crucial role in the creation and promotion of the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre. He remains a sought-after consultant in the field of public affairs management, and his sense of commitment makes him a role model for young people.
Joan Craig, C.M.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
A woman of vision and determination, Joan Craig has had a lasting impact on the autism community and the arts scene in Nova Scotia. Driven by personal experience, she led the establishment of the Provincial Autism Centre in Halifax and Canada's first research chair in autism at Dalhousie University. A compassionate community leader, she has also been a long-standing advocate of arts and culture, notably as co-founder of the Craig Foundation, which has supported many groups, including Theatre Antigonish, Symphony Nova Scotia and the National Theatre School of Canada.
Mary Dawson, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Mary Dawson has made a major contribution to public policy in our nation. As a lawyer and senior executive with Justice Canada for more than 35 years, she played a unique and integral role in the development of constitutional law and policy in Canada. Renowned as a guardian of the language of our laws, she drafted many pieces of important legislation, including the Constitution Act, 1982, the Clarity Act, the Canada Health Act and the Official Languages Act. Known for her integrity, intelligence and selfless service, she has been a role model to a generation of young lawyers and public servants.
Armand de Mestral, C.M.
Westmount, Quebec
For over 30 years, Armand de Mestral has made major contributions to international law and international trade law. Renowned for his scholarship, he has ensured that political leaders remain aware of constitutional law and legal issues pertaining to free trade. He is frequently sought after for his expertise in dispute settlement by the World Trade Organization and various arbitration tribunals. Professor and holder of the Jean Monnet Chair in the Law of International Economic Integration at McGill University, he has also demonstrated his social commitment as president of the Canadian Red Cross Society.
Robert Doyle, C.M.
Stratford, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia
Robert Doyle is a leading figure in set and costume design in Canada. A gifted designer, he is known for the artistry and innovation of his work, which has been showcased in more than 500 theatre productions. He is highly regarded for creating the historical costumes for the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada and for developing the costumes for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Dedicated to training the next generation, he founded the Costume Studies Program at Dalhousie University and served as its director for more than 20 years. Through his workshops and his books, he continues to be a mentor to members of the Canadian theatre community.
William Fitzgerald, C.M.
St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador
For more than 30 years, William Fitzgerald has been providing outstanding medical care to the residents of northern Newfoundland, Labrador and the lower north shore of Quebec. As a surgeon at the local hospital, he has made himself available to patients at all hours and has mentored young physicians. He is also highly regarded for his work in southern Labrador, where he established a screening, detection and management program for colorectal cancer, which has saved many lives in generations of families. In addition, he has been an active volunteer in his community where he is admired for his commitment to this region and its residents.
J. Barry French, C.M.
Oakville, Ontario
Barry French has helped to build Canada's reputation as a leader in technological innovation. As a professor at the University of Toronto's Institute for Aerospace Studies, he developed specialized analytical instrumentation that was used on NASA's Viking space probe. His scientific insights and entrepreneurship led to the creation of Sciex Limited, a leader in the development of mass spectrometers, and one of the University's most successful transfer technology initiatives. He is also known for having co-founded a company that is developing cutting-edge earth imaging technology. A long-time proponent of university-industry collaboration, he has been a role model to many young scientists.
Muriel Gold, C.M.
Westmount, Quebec
Muriel Gold has long promoted and shared the joy and power of the theatre. As the artistic director of the Saidye Bronfman Centre, she stimulated both artistic and fiscal growth. With a view that drama can serve as a bridge between cultures, she was a pioneer in introducing French-Canadian plays to anglophone audiences, and brought a resident Yiddish theatre company to the Centre. As a university educator, she developed her influential Fictional Family technique that fosters both acting skills and personal development. In addition, she is the author of several books on drama and theatre.
Charlotte Gray, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Charlotte Gray has provided Canadians with rich and relevant connections to our history, helping us to understand how our past shapes the Canada of today. A historical biographer, she is a brilliant storyteller who is known for her meticulous research and her gift for analyzing human motivation. She has shed new light on the important role women played in our history by bringing to life some of our most remarkable and interesting personalities, such as Susanna Moodie and Isabel Mackenzie King. An adjunct professor at Carleton University, she is also a respected media commentator and volunteer with organizations such as the Dominion Institute and Canada's National History Society.
The Honourable Lynda Haverstock, C.M., S.O.M.
Regina, Saskatchewan
With her natural grace and dynamic personality, Lynda Haverstock has connected with and inspired the people of Saskatchewan for decades. As lieutenant-governor, she was renowned for her patronage of the arts and her strong support for First Nations, veterans rights, education and literacy. In addition to being the first woman to lead a political party in her province, she has made equally important contributions as a psychologist. Through her pioneering studies on farm families in crisis, she developed programs to help farmers deal with the devastation of losing intergenerational farms and their way of life. Now president and CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, she continues to be an enthusiastic ambassador for her province.
Zbigniew Kabata, C.M.
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Zbigniew Kabata is an internationally renowned authority on the biology of marine parasites, and was the long-standing head of parasitology research at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo. His groundbreaking research, spanning over five decades, has greatly improved our understanding of marine ecology and has had a significant worldwide impact on the management of commercial fisheries. Undeterred by retirement, he actively pursues his research and remains an eminent authority in this important field of biological study.
Craig Kielburger, C.M., M.S.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Craig Kielburger is a shining example of the power of youth. At the age of 12, he became aware of the appalling working conditions of children living in the developing world after reading about the murder of a child factory worker. This became the impetus for the creation of Free The Children, an international network dedicated to eradicating child labour. Since 1995, FTC has matured into an influential international organization that has built more than 500 schools and involves more than one million children in its projects. His passion for social justice, coupled with his spirit of giving, has attracted people of all ages to join him in his crusade against child exploitation, making him a potent agent in defence of children's rights.
Douglas MacPhee, C.M.
New Waterford, Nova Scotia
A renowned and versatile pianist, Doug MacPhee is one of the pillars of traditional Cape Breton music. Celebrated both as an accompanist and as a soloist, he has developed a distinctive style true to the spirit of the island, and the unique ability to emulate the sound of the Cape Breton fiddle on the piano. With his encyclopedic knowledge of his region's music, he has initiated landmark archival initiatives through the Beacon Institute at the University of Cape Breton, thus preserving for posterity centuries' worth of this unique genre of Canadian music.
The Honourable René J. Marin, C.M., O.M.M., O.Ont., C.D.
Ottawa, Ontario
René Marin has made groundbreaking contributions to the administration of justice in Canada. Early in his career, as a professor at the University of Ottawa and then as a judge, he pioneered the use of French in Ontario law. Highly respected for his vision and leadership, he headed several federal commissions of inquiry and shared his expertise on justice and human rights with the government of Haiti. A committed volunteer, he has championed Franco-Ontarian health care, community and educational organizations.
Robert R. McEwen, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Robert McEwen is a successful business leader and generous philanthropist. As chairman and CEO of Goldcorp, he developed the Red Lake Mine in Northwestern Ontario into one of the richest and most successful gold mines and raised his company to pre-eminence in the mining industry. Equally committed to the betterment of the community, he has been a benefactor to the Red Lake community, as well as to the Toronto General Hospital and York University, where he serves on the dean's advisory board of the Schulich School of Business.
Thomas W. Noseworthy, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta
Head of the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, Thomas Noseworthy is a leading authority in the field of public health care policy. For over 20 years, he has been a valued advisor to numerous public and governmental bodies, such as the Prime Minister's National Forum on Health, and Health Canada's Advisory Council on Health Info-Structure. He has also contributed to developing national strategies aimed at improving infrastructures and at harnessing information technology in the health sector. As founding director of Canadian Doctors for Medicare and chair of the Western Canada Waiting List Project, he continues to advocate in support of Canada's universal health care system.
Lola Rasminsky, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For more than 25 years, Lola Rasminsky has been breaking new ground in arts education for children. As founding director of the Fine Arts Kindergarten, the Avenue Road Arts School and Arts for Children of Toronto, she has pioneered training programs in visual art, dance, music and theatre that allow children to discover and develop their own creativity. She has also brought outreach programs to Toronto's underprivileged neighbourhoods, providing youth at risk with lessons from professionals, including African drummers and hip hop dancers. With passion and imagination, she has inspired thousands of children to grow by embracing artistic expression.
Leon Rooke, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Hailed as one of Canada's most important literary figures, Leon Rooke has had an influence far beyond his craft. A writer with seven novels, 16 short-story collections as well as plays and poems to his credit, he is known for originality and integrity. This winner of the Governor General's Literary Award and W.O. Mitchell Prize is also known as one of the most generous mentors in his field. Founding artistic director of the Eden Mills Literary Festival, he has given countless hours to emerging writers, and his protégés include some of the most prominent authors in Canadian fiction.
Yoshio Senda, C.M.
Lethbridge, Alberta
Yoshio Senda is a role model and mentor who has dedicated much of his life to the development and expansion of judo in Canada. For over 55 years, he has been a volunteer coach and instructor in Lethbridge, where he continues to teach several times a week, instilling the values of physical fitness, patience and discipline in students of all ages. He served as the national coach of two Canadian Olympic judo teams, and is the first and only Canadian recipient of Kudan, judo's ninth degree black belt.
Margaret Smith, C.M.
North Bay, Ontario
With her determination, exceptional administrative skills and renowned compassion, Margaret Smith forever altered the delivery of health care and social services in northern Ontario. She headed nursing programs, hospitals and other health care organizations, and was known for her groundbreaking initiatives. Among her many accomplishments, she founded an addiction treatment program that became a model for both the province and the nation. She served as a trusted advisor to the provincial government, and her breadth of vision continues to be recognized and celebrated to this day.
T. Kenneth Thorlakson, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Kenneth Thorlakson has been a pillar of Manitoba's Icelandic community for many years. A legendary fundraiser, he has been instrumental in ensuring that the cultural and linguistic heritage of his forbearers is preserved, enhanced and passed on to future generations. The Icelandic community newspaper as well as the University of Manitoba's extensive collection of Icelandic manuscripts and books and its Department of Icelandic Language and Literature have benefited from his dedication and support. Widely respected as a surgeon and teacher, he has also been a mentor to numerous young physicians over the years.
Jeffrey Turnbull, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
An acclaimed physician, Jeffrey Turnbull is also an inspiring humanitarian. Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the Ottawa Hospital and of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, he is an award-winning teacher and academic innovator. He is also the pioneering force behind medical services for the homeless that include a palliative hospice, a special care unit and a management of alcohol program, also known as a "wet shelter". Since the establishment of these facilities, many people's lives have been saved, and countless other individuals have been able to die with dignity. In addition, he is actively involved in projects to improve health care and human rights in Africa.
Jim Vallance, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Jim Vallance is one of Canada's most prolific and successful songwriters. For the past four decades, he has collaborated with many prominent musicians, producing some of the most famous and iconic songs in Canada's popular music profile. In addition, he has helped to foster the talents of emerging performers and has been an active contributor to many charitable endeavours. Dedicated to the cause of famine relief in Africa, he co-wrote the unforgettable anthem, "Tears Are Not Enough", which helped raise considerable funds worldwide.
Howard White, C.M., O.B.C.
Madeira Park, British Columbia
As the founder and president of Harbour Publishing, Howard White has contributed over 30 years to the growth of Canada's West Coast publishing industry. After the initial success of his own Raincoast Chronicles, he has dedicated his efforts to publishing and promoting British Columbia's unique literary creations. Through an eclectic array of works reflecting the cultural heart of the region, including the acclaimed Encyclopedia of British Columbia, he has brought to life the personal stories and histories of his province.
Clara Will, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Clara Will is a trailblazer in early childhood development. In 1972, she founded Adventure Place, an early intervention centre for children with special needs and their families. As its executive director, she has pioneered programs that provide a team approach towards the assessment, treatment and education of these children. Her groundbreaking programs help to integrate children into mainstream society and are now models for other communities. As chair of the Early Years Action Group, and as a founding member of the Ontario Coalition for Children and Youth, she continues to foster change in the lives of young people and their families.
OFFICERS
Marie Chouinard, O.C.
Montreal, Quebec
With work that is described as sleek, sensuous, playful and overwhelmingly confident, Marie Chouinard is an international force in dance. Her avant-garde choreography challenges and inspires audiences both at home and abroad. With her company invited frequently to tour, she plays a major role in enhancing the reputation of Quebecois artistic innovation.
Tom Cochrane, O.C.
Oakville, Ontario
Tom Cochrane is a Canadian rock icon and a compassionate humanitarian. As a member of Red Rider and as a solo artist, he has connected with his fans through songs that recount stories and dreams that are unabashedly Canadian. He also touched on the universal values of hope and perseverance in his international hit, "Life is a Highway". Highly regarded for his social engagement, he has raised awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa, and raised funds for disaster relief in Asia. A Canadian spokesperson for World Vision and the Make Poverty History Campaign, he continues his crusade to improve the lives of those in need around the world.
Paul B. Corkum, O.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Paul Corkum is one of Canada's leading experts on lasers and their applications. For more than 30 years, this National Research Council scientist has been developing and advancing concepts needed to understand how intense laser light pulses can be used to study the structure of matter. He is known as the father of the attosecond pulse, which is so rapid that it has allowed him to capture the first image of an electron orbiting an atom. Recognized for his innovative research and for his contribution to physics, he is the recipient of the 2006 Killam Prize for natural sciences and is a member of both the Royal Society of London and the Royal Society of Canada.
Eric Hoskins, O.C., M.S.C.
Simcoe, Ontario
Since the very beginning of his career, Eric Hoskins has been a remarkable force for human rights. A physician, he has travelled to some of the world's most volatile regions, in Africa and the Middle East. He devotes his energy and expertise to issues such as street children, famine relief, the effects of war on children, and HIV/AIDS. Since 2001, he has been president of War Child Canada, which funds relief and development programs in support of victims of war around the world. He also provides health care and support services to African refugees and immigrants in Toronto. A recipient of the Pearson Peace Medal, he is a popular media commentator who spurs others to humanitarian action.
Donat Lacroix, O.C.
Caraquet, New Brunswick
The voice of a people and an ambassador for Acadia, Donat Lacroix has a passion for fishing and for music. For over 40 years, this fisherman, actor, poet and singer has inspired audiences with his work; his song, "Viens Voir l'Acadie", is widely considered to be the national anthem for Acadians. Throughout his career, he has skilfully blended the traditions, folklore and contemporary world of Acadian culture, and has shared it with French-speaking communities in Canada, North America and Europe.
Edward A. Lyons, O.C.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Professor of radiology, obstetrics, gynecology and anatomy at the University of Manitoba, Ted Lyons is one of the world's leading specialists in diagnostic ultrasound. Conducting trailblazing research over four decades, he has helped to make ultrasound one of the safest and most widely used non-invasive diagnostic tools in modern medicine. Highly respected for his expertise, he has held leadership positions with numerous national and international associations, such as the Canadian Association of Radiologists and the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound. Also active within his community, he is the immediate past president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and past president of the congregation Shaarey Zedek synagogue.
Alistair MacLeod, O.C.
Windsor, Ontario
Alistair MacLeod has been called "Cape Breton's ambassador of fiction". A retired professor at the University of Windsor, he grew up in Nova Scotia, and the landscape of his fiction, as he calls it, is the province and its proud and spirited people. These come alive in his celebrated short stories and in his novel, No Great Mischief, which, among many other awards, earned the richest prize in fiction, the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Deeply committed to Canadian literature, he volunteered for decades as the fiction editor of the Windsor Review and is renowned for his generosity and for his influence on other writers.
Arthur B. McDonald, O.C.
Kingston, Ontario
An eminent scientist and administrator, Arthur McDonald has greatly contributed to the physics community and to Canada's reputation for excellence. A former professor at Princeton University, he joined Queen's University in 1989, and was instrumental in spearheading an international research project studying tiny particles emitted from the sun. At the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, where he is director, researchers found that neutrinos changed into different varieties on their way to earth. Hailed as one of the world's top scientific breakthroughs in recent years, the finding has changed the laws of physics and provided remarkable insight into the structure of the universe. Over the years, several scientific institutions and organizations have benefited from his valuable guidance.
Derek Oland, O.C.
Saint John, New Brunswick
Executive chairman of the largest Canadian-owned brewery, Moosehead Breweries, Derek Oland is a well-known business leader and volunteer whose contributions have impacted the economic growth and quality of life of both his town and his region. Through the family company, he has provided employment opportunities as well as supported community initiatives, such as a centre for teen parents in Moncton, and the Harbour Passage project in Saint John. Moreover, he has been a generous benefactor to a number of cultural, educational and health care institutions over the years. Knowing that cooperation and determination can make a difference, he has served in leadership roles with the United Way, the YM/YWCA and the Saint John Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiatives.
Miles Richardson, O.C.
Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
A former president of the Council of the Haida Nation, Miles Richardson has been a champion of Aboriginal title and rights for over 30 years. Through his political activism and his involvement with the B.C. Claims Task Force, the First Nations Summit Task Group and the B.C. Treaty Commission, he has helped to create a functional process for the reconciliation of Aboriginal and Crown titles. His efforts have led to landmark decisions, such as the creation of the Gwaii Haanas Haida Heritage Site and National Park Reserve, the first of its kind in Canada. He is also an advocate of sustainability and a founding member of the David Suzuki Foundation. His dedication has benefited not only the Haida nation, but Canada as a whole.
Jane Stewart, O.C.
Montreal, Quebec
Jane Stewart is an internationally recognized pioneer in behavioral neuroscience. Her cutting-edge research on brain mechanisms has advanced understanding of drug abuse and addiction, and influenced its treatment. She has also raised the profile of psychology through her leadership on a number of committees and advisory boards. At Concordia University, where she has been an inspiring teacher to generations of young researchers, she is a professor and former chair of psychology, and a founder and director of the Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology. A fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, she continues to contribute to our country's international stature in the field of neuroscience.
