This year’s list of nominees also includes Canada’s first Native female MP, Nunavut’s first MP and several contributors to the arts, including Emmy-nominated actress Sandra Oh. The Order of Canada, considered one of Canada’s highest political distinctions, aims to recognize people who make “outstanding contributions to the nation,” according to the website of the Governor-General of Canada. Stacey Allaster was named the first female tournament director in the history of the US Open in 2020. (Michael Noble Jr./The Associated Press) Allaster was named as a companion, the highest of the three levels of honor, which also include the level of officer and member. There can be no more than 165 living companions at any one time. Born in Windsor, OD. and raised in Welland, OD, Allaster was a member of the Women’s Tennis Association from 2006 to 2015, initially serving as president before being promoted to president and CEO in 2009. During her tenure, she was instrumental in securing equal cash prizes for women in six WTA tournaments and four Grand Slams. He also played a key role in streamlining the WTA calendar and securing an international media landmark agreement. In 2020, Allaster was named the first female tournament director of the US Open. Donovan Bailey won two gold medals and broke a world record at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. (Alexander Hassenstein / Bongarts / Getty Images / File) Former Olympian and world champion sprinter Donovan Bailey will be invested as a class officer. The former world record holder won the Olympic gold in 1996 in the men’s 100m and in the men’s 4x100m relay. “It’s unbelievable,” Bailey said of the order appointment. “I am very blessed, I am extremely humbled to have shared incredible moments with Canadians.” Bailey said the investment in the Order of Canada is a formal recognition of what he has been hearing from his fans for decades. “Acquiring the Order of Canada officer is a huge honor, but I tell you that I have been ratified for 27 years; I am ratified every day by incredible fans,” he said. Angela James has won four world championships and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010. (CBC) Angela James is a pioneer in women’s hockey, initially as a player and now as the general manager and part owner of the Toronto Six professional hockey team. The winner of four world championships, including the first in 1990, where she scored 11 goals in five games and was an all-star tournament, said the investment in the series includes all her achievements on and off the ice. “I think it includes almost everything I have done in my life and to think that my life matters to Canadians is very special,” he said. A star on the Canadian team before women’s hockey became an Olympic sport, James was one of the first two women to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010 and said she hopes to continue to see women’s hockey grow. “As long as we get together and work together as one, I think there is no stopping the women’s game,” she said.
Indigenous leaders
Among those appointed to the battalion are several indigenous leaders, including Canada’s first indigenous woman who was elected to Parliament. Ethel Blondin-Andrew was first elected as a Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories in 1988 and would become Minister of State for Northern Development in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Paul Martin. She has continued to advocate for indigenous women in politics and recently attended a United Nations panel in Geneva to discuss the issue. Ethel Blondin-Andrew was first elected Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories in 1988. (CBC) Along with Blondin-Andrew is former Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell. Karetak-Lindell was first elected to the Nunatsiaq Parliament in 1997, the ride that will take place in Nunavut after being recognized as a region in 1999. “I have tried very hard to be the voice of people who may not have had the chance,” said Karetak-Lindell. After retiring from federal politics in 2008, he would later become chairman of the Inuit Regional Council in 2016, serving a two-year term. Nancy Karetak-Lindell was the first Nunavut MP since it was officially recognized as a region in 1999. (LinkedIn) Although he said he was honored to receive the Order of Canada, he said “the greatest reward will always be that I may have made someone look to the future with more hope.” Blondin-Andrew will be invested as a class officer, while Karetak-Lindell will be invested as a member. Other Indigenous leaders among the nominees include Elders David and Imelda Perley of New Brunswick for their contributions to education around the Wabanaki culture. Elders Reg and Rosemary Crowshoe of Alberta are equally recognized for preserving Blackfoot culture.
Contributors in the arts
Some of Canada’s top performers in the arts have also been appointed to the battalion, including actress Sandra Oh, who will be invested as an officer. The Emmy Award-nominated actress is best known for her hit TV series, such as Killing Eve and Grey’s Anatomy. She has also lent her big screen talents to movies such as Turning Red and Under the Tuscan Sun. Sandra Oh reaches the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Sunday in Beverly Hills, California (Jordan Strauss / Invision / The Associated Press) Donald Mowat is also recognized for his contribution to the big screen, as he was the head of makeup and design in films such as The Fighter, 8 Mile, Sicario, Nightcrawler, Prisoners, Nocturnal Animals, Stronger, Blade Runner 2049. Mowat was recently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyle for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. On the music front, the founder of the independent record company Attic Records Alexander Mair is appointed as a member of the class. Attic represented a number of Canadian artists and bands, including Anvil, Irish Rovers, Triumph and Teenage Head.
The Order of Canada
Governor General Simon Simon has nominated the following individuals, who have been nominated for appointment by the Advisory Board of the Order of Canada: Companions of the Order of Canada
Stacey Alaster. Frank Hayden (This is an in-order promotion). Peter Russell (This is an in-order promotion). Donald Savoie (This is an offer within the order).
Officers of the Order of Canada
Naomi Azriel. Donovan Bailey. The venerable Ethel Blondin-Andrew. Robert Davidson (This is an in-order promotion). Paul Dubord. Donald Enarson (deceased). François Girard. Ian Hodgkinson. Angela James. David Leeds. Sandra Oh. Alberto Perez-Gomez. David Waltner-Toews.
Members of the Order of Canada
Francis Abel. Ajay Agrawal. Louis-Philippe Albert. R. Jamie Anderson. Suzanne Aubry. Hereditary Head Stefanos Augustinos. Granger Avery. Michel Beaulac. Andre Blanche. Marilyn Bodog. Jacques Bourgault. Bernard Brault. Marilyn Brooks. Marion Buhler. James Brynes. Genevieve Cadieux. James Kassels. Euclid Chiasson. William Clark. Zayn Cohen. Ethel Cot. Elder Reg Crosso. Elder Rosemary Cruz. Sheldon Curry. Reginald Davidson. Dorothy Dobby. Eliahu Fathi. Madeleine Fekiere. Staff Sgt. Gary Goulet, (Retired). Michael Harris. Paul Heinbecker. Deborra Hope. Sister Margaret Hughes. Fate Hutchinson. Gerard John. Adam Kahane. Nancy Karetak-Lindell. Eva Marie Kroeller. Gary Levy. Alexander Mair. Guy Matt. Milton McClaren. Roderick McKay. Ben Mink. Donald Mowat. Robert Munro. Sister Bernadette Mary O’Reilly. Donna Ouchterlony. Fred Pellerin. Elder David Perley. Senior Imelda Perley. G. Ross Peters. Sandra Pitblando. Guy Pratt. Parminder Raina. Joel Wrightman. David Russ. The honorable Anne Russell. Suzanne Savage. Martin Sehter. Jacques Sor. Ronald Treble. Guylaine Tremblay. Michelle Wahlberg. Germaine Warkentin. James West. Michael West. Margie Wolfe. Lorraine M. Wright. Robert Wyatt. Yan Suiki.
