Governor General Mary Simon has unveiled 99 Canadians who are to receive Order of Canada appointments, one of the country’s highest honours.
The Governor General makes the appointments based on recommendations from the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.
“What a beautiful way to end the year, honouring Order of Canada appointees and learning about the depth and range of their accomplishments,” Simon said in a news release. “Their commitment to the betterment of Canada fills me with pride and hope for the future.”
Three-time Stanley Cup champion Sidney Crosby and Canada’s first Indigenous judge on an appellate court, Harry LaForme are some of the more prominent names that have been appointed.
Crosby, a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been appointed an officer of the Order of Canada. The 35-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., has 1,452 career NHL points, which puts him at 17th in the league all-time.
LaForme, who retired from the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2018, has also been named an officer for advancing Indigenous rights as a groundbreaking jurist and championing underserved communities.
Comedian Eugene Levy received a promotion to Companion of the Order of Canada, which is the highest rank.
Levy was promoted “for elevating the stature of Canadian television on the international stage as an acclaimed actor and producer.”
The 76-year-old Hamiltonian is known for his roles on the sketch comedy show “SCTV”, dozens of comedy films, and more recently for co-creating and starring in the television series “Schitt’s Creek”. He was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 2011.
Companion is the highest level of the Canadian order, followed by officer and member. While an officer is recognized for their service to Canada or humanity at large, a member is for service to a particular community, group, or field of activity.
The latest class also includes Rich Little, sometimes known as the “man of a thousand voices,” for his contribution to Canadian comedy as a long-time entertainer, impressionist and voice actor, and astronaut and physician David Saint-Jacques for his groundbreaking work in science, technology, and health care.
