OTTAWA — A former Supreme Court justice, a medical pioneer, a broadcaster and a champion for sex workers joined the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Thursday.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said it’s a privilege to present these individuals with their awards as their names join a long list of distinguished Canadians who have helped the country “move together toward reconciliation, truth and inclusion.”
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“You push boundaries and inspire us to reach higher, and through acts of generosity that support people in need, you remind us of the power of compassion,” Simon said during her speech at Thursday’s investiture ceremony.
Retired Supreme Court justice Rosalie Silberman Abella was invested as a companion of the Order of Canada for her work on constitutional law, and for shaping equality and human rights around the world.
Appointments to the Order of Canada are made at three levels: a companion recognizes outstanding achievement at the highest degree, especially in service to Canada, an officer recognizes achievement of a high degree, while a member recognizes distinguished service to a particular community, group or activity.
Mellissa Fung, a veteran broadcast journalist who was kidnapped in Afghanistan and held captive for four weeks in 2008, was invested as an officer.
Among the 25 notable Canadians invested as members of the Order of Canada were Lee Edward Errett, a global leader in cardiac care who worked with St. Michael’s Hospital, Frances Marjorie Shaver, a champion for sex workers who worked as a professor at Concordia University, and George Stroumboulopoulos, famous for his work with Much Music and CBC as an entertainment broadcaster.
Other inductees include editorial cartoonist Michael de Adder, auto market expert Flavio Volpe and Metis artist Christi Belcourt — who was invested as a member of the Order of Canada for her artworks inspired my Metis beadwork. One of her canvases hangs in Rideau Hall’s ballroom.
Simon is investing six officers and 25 members into the Order of Canada and delivering another handful of medals to volunteers for their work.