“The Order of Canada recognizes individuals who have made positive and lasting impacts on communities here in Canada or who have brought honour to our country abroad,” says Simon. “As we progress towards an Order that is reflective of Canada’s full diversity, I encourage all Canadians to nominate individuals who inspire them, from all walks of life and backgrounds. Congratulations to the new appointees and thank you to the nominators who cast a spotlight on their achievement, purpose and exceptional talent.” 

Here are the members of the UM community who were announced: 

NEW OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF CANADA: 

Frances Estelle Reed Simons, O.C. [BSc/65, MD/69] for her profound global impact on mitigating the effects of allergic reactions and diseases, notably among children. This world-renowned University of Manitoba professor emerita advanced the field of anaphylaxis diagnosis and management. She has been a leading presence in clinical immunology and allergy, as an educator and mentor, and through her leadership of national and international professional organizations and initiatives in the field. 

NEW MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA: 

Tina Jones, C.M., O.M. [BEd/89], UM Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, for her passion as a community builder. As chair of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, she has championed philanthropy as a means of advancing innovation in health care. A trailblazer in business, she has drawn a new landscape in the hospitality industry as the founder of Jones & Company Wine Merchants. She has also helped to reimagine sports leadership and athlete support as a partner of The Rink. 

Budhendranauth Doobay, C.M., O.Ont., friend of UM, retired surgeon, religious leader and mentor, is a pillar of the Indo-Canadian community. Founder of the Vishnu Mandir temple and the Gandhi Memorial Peace Garden, he shares the tenets of Hinduism with different communities in Canada by advocating unity in diversity. He is also a philanthropist, humanitarian and the founder of Guyana’s Doobay Medical Centre, which provides free dialysis to patients in need and promotes preventative care. 

ABOUT THE ORDER OF CANADA 

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Since its creation, the Order of Canada has honoured more than 7,600 people whose service has shaped our society, whose innovations have ignited our imaginations and whose compassion has united our communities. 

“There are so many here in Manitoba and throughout Canada who are richly deserving of the award that I’m privileged to have even been considered,” Pierce said. “The University of Manitoba has provided me with the environment and support I required throughout my career to achieve what I did, and I’m eternally grateful.”

Pierce, a worldwide leader in cardiovascular research, has published more than 250 peer-reviewed research manuscripts and eight textbooks.

His research has shown that dietary flaxseed might be able to regulate high blood pressure to an extent that it would have a significant impact on incidence of heart attacks and stroke. He is further studying flaxseed’s role on blood pressure and its health benefits during recovery from heart attack and on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

“Congratulations to Dr. Pierce for being appointed to the Order of Canada,” said Dr. Jude Uzonna, vice-dean of research for the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and associate dean of research for the Max Rady College of Medicine. “His dedication to scientific research and his decades-long commitment to better understand heart disease are recognized with this prestigious honour.”

From 2006 to 2020, Pierce was executive director of research for St. Boniface Hospital. He has served as chair of the Executive Review Committee for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and he held the position of editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology.

He is currently the president of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences.

Pierce received his bachelor of physical and health education from Lakehead University, his master of science from Dalhousie University and his PhD from UM. He completed postdoctoral training at University of California, Los Angeles.

Pierce has been the recipient of many honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Research Canada Leadership Award. He was also appointed to the Order of Manitoba and elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

The five other UM community members who were recently appointed to the Order of Canada include Dr. Keith Walley, a member of the UM medicine class of 1981.

“Today, we recognize individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to our society,” said Simon. “A group of individuals who, through dedication and ajuinnata—perseverance—make our communities and our country better every day.”

Created in 1967 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada honours people whose service shapes our society, whose innovations ignite our imaginations, and whose compassion unites our communities. The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest honours and its motto – DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM – is “They desire a better country”.

The new list includes six individuals from the UM community, including alumni, faculty and donors.

NEW OFFICERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

Michael N. James, O.C., [MSc/63, BSc(Hons)/63, DSc/10] – Faculty of Science alum honoured for his ground-breaking contributions to the field of protein crystallography.

Dr. Jeffrey Weitz, O.C. – Friend of UM honoured for his outstanding contributions to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of clotting disorders, and for his leadership in the fields of thrombosis and hemostasis.

NEW MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

Sarah A. Carter, C.M. [PhD/87] – Faculty of Arts alum honoured for her pioneering work on Indigenous history and women’s history in Western Canada, as a distinguished scholar, professor and mentor.

Jayanne English, C.M. – UM associate professor, department of physics and astronomy, honoured for her innovative work at the crossroads of science and art, and for making astronomy accessible to all.

Grant N. Pierce, C.M., O.M. [PhD/83] – Rady Faculty of Health Sciences alum and distinguished professor honoured for his contributions in the field of pathophysiology, and for identifying the value of nutraceuticals in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Keith Walley, C.M. [MD/81, BSc(Hons)/78] – Rady Faculty of Health Sciences alum honoured for his innovative and translational research in the field of sepsis and septic shock.

Presented by the governor general, the Order honours people whose service shapes our society; whose innovations ignite our imaginations; and whose compassion unites our communities.

The new list includes four UM community members:

Alumnus Dr. John S. Hunkin [BA/67] – retired president, CEO and chair of CIBC; for his active governance and philanthropic commitment to education, health and mental health.

Alumnus Ralph L. Pentland [BSc (CE)/61] – nationally esteemed water policy consultant; for his enduring commitment to conserving and protecting freshwater resources in Canada and around the globe.

Faculty member Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg – pediatric physician, researcher and distinguished professor; for her contributions as an academic clinician and physician in the field of genetics, notably in the treatment of genetic disorders over-represented in unique populations.

Honorary degree recipient Heather M. Reisman [LLD/16] – founder & CEO, Indigo Books & Music; president, The Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman Foundation; for her contributions to Canadian book publishing and children’s literacy, and for her transformational philanthropy.

About the Order of Canada

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to Canada.

See the full Order of Canada list here.

• Dr. John G. Wade, [M.D./1960]
• Dr. Thomas R. Denton, [O.M., LL.D./2017]
• Dr. P. Ralph Crawford, [D.M.D./1964]
• Ms. Marion Lewis, [B.A./1960]
• Mr. William G. Tholl, [B.A./1974, M.A./1979]
• Dr. Lotfollah Shafai, Distinguished Professor Emeritus

As The Globe and Mail reports:

Scientists, teachers, filmmakers, philanthropists, beer brewers and even puppeteers – this year’s cast of appointees to the Order of Canada have made their mark on all aspects of Canadian society.

On Thursday, Rideau Hall announced the names of 83 Canadians who had been appointed to the order. Considered one of the country’s highest honours, it goes to those who have shaped society, innovated in interesting ways or made an impact on their community. This year’s list includes 23 women and 60 men.

Among the scientists is Marion Lewis, who helped develop a treatment for Rh disease, an affliction of the blood that used to affect tens of thousands of babies a year, but is now easily treatable thanks in part to her work…here is the full list of this year’s appointments:

Officers of the Order of Canada

Marie Ann Battiste of Saskatoon and Unama’ki, Mi’kma’ki (an honorary appointment).

Ric Esther Bienstock of Toronto.

Ronnie Burkett of Calgary and Toronto.

Elizabeth Cannon of Calgary.

Gordon R. Diamond of Vancouver.

John England of Edmonton.

Graham Fraser of Ottawa.

Rémy Girard of Montreal.

Eldon C. Godfrey of Calgary.

Moya Marguerite Greene of Ottawa.

Lisa LaFlamme of Toronto.

Marion Lewis of Winnipeg.

James A. O’Reilly of Montreal.

Arthur J. Ray of Vancouver.

Lotfollah Shafai of Winnipeg.

Martin Hayter Short of Hamilton (a promotion within the order).

Peter Suedfeld of Vancouver.

Brian Sykes of Edmonton.

William G. Tholl of the National Capital Region (Ottawa-Gatineau, Que.).

Harvey D. Voldeng of Ottawa.

Ian E. Wilson of Ottawa (a promotion within the order).

Members of the Order of Canada

Renée April of Montreal.

Luigi Aquilini of Vancouver.

Renaldo Battista of Montreal.

W. J. Brad Bennett of Kelowna, B.C.

Susan Benson of Stratford, Ont.

Louise Bradley of Ottawa.

Joseph Raymond Buncic of Toronto.

Robert L. Carroll of Montreal.

Raymond J. Cole of Vancouver.

Patrick Ralph Crawford of Winnipeg.

Aubrey Dan of Toronto.

Fernand Dansereau of Montreal.

Thomas Ralston Denton of Winnipeg.

Claire Deschênes of Quebec City.

Sara Louise Diamond of Toronto.

Michel Dumont of Montreal.

Edna Agnes Ekhivalak Elias of Kugluktuk, Nunavut.

Mitch Garber of Montreal.

H. Roger Garland of Toronto.

Frank Giustra of Vancouver.

Mark Byron Godden of Winnipeg.

Chan Hon Goh of Vancouver.

Jean-Paul Grappe of Montreal.

V. Tony Hauser of Toronto.

Eric Garth Hudson of Toronto.

Andy Jones of St. John’s.

Gertrude Steiger Kearns of Toronto.

Perry R. W. Kendall of Victoria.

Keith I. Knott of Curve Lake.

Paul C. LaBarge of Ottawa.

Suzanne Labarge of Toronto.

Reginald Leach of Riverton, Man.

Walter J. Learning of Fredericton.

Keith MacPhail of Calgary.

Bennett McCarty of Fredericton.

David McLean of Winnipeg.

Joseph Robert Nuss of Montreal.

C. Michael O’Brian of Vancouver.

Hanna Maria Pappius of Montreal.

Linda Rabin of Montreal.

Claude Raymond of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.

Chaim M. Roifman of Toronto.

Nicholas Saul of Toronto.

Donald R. M. Schmitt of Toronto.

Brenda Harris Singer of Toronto.

Donna M. Slaight of Toronto.

John Warren Sleeman of Guelph, Ont.

A. Britton Smith of Kingston.

Dorothy E. Smith of Vancouver and Toronto.

Michael Dixon Smith of Fortune, PEI.

Howard Timothy Lee Soon of Kelowna, B.C.

J. David Spence of London, Ont.

Matthew Teitelbaum of Toronto and Boston.

James W. Treliving of Vancouver and Toronto.

Allan H. Wachowich of Edmonton.

John Wade of Winnipeg.

Karen Merle Weiler of Toronto.

Read the full Globe and Mail story here.

Presented by the governor general, the Order honours people whose service shapes our society; whose innovations ignite our imaginations; and whose compassion unites our communities.

New Officers of the Order Of Canada (O.C.)

Vernon Burrows, O.C. [BSA/51, MSc/53]   

• For his ongoing agricultural research that has enhanced the production and nutritional value of oat-based foods. This is a promotion within the Order.

Distinguished Professor Digvir Jayas, O.C. [MSc/82]  

• For his advancements to agricultural practices worldwide, and for his promotion of academic and scientific research in Canada.

New Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.)

Doneta A. P. Brotchie, C.M. [BComm (Hons)/73]    

• For her continued involvement in the public and private sectors in Manitoba as a business leader and volunteer.

About the Order of Canada

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country.

The Order of Canada recognizes dedication to the community, outstanding achievement and service to the nation.

In addition to the five alumni who were were appointed as Members of the Order of Canada, one faculty member was promoted to Companion, the Order’s highest recognition.

Promotion to Companion (C.C):

Frank C. Hawthorne, C.C.
For his groundbreaking contributions to geology as an internationally renowned authority on mineralogy and crystallography.

New Appointments to the Order (C.M.):

Réal Bérard, C.M. [DipArt/61] For his contributions as a visual artist and cartoonist and for his support of various fundraisers benefitting the Franco-Manitoban community.

Harry Bone, C.M. [LLD/13] For his contributions to advancing Indigenous education and preserving traditional laws, and for creating bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and communities.

Thomas Erskine Feasby, C.M. [BSc/(Med)/69, MD/69] For his visionary leadership at multiple Albertan academic and health institutions, notably for fostering excellence in neuroscience.

Richard Henriquez, C.M. [BArch/64] For his contributions to Canadian architecture, notably in shaping Vancouver’s urban landscape.

Roland François Mahé, C.M., O.M. [DipArt/64, BFA/70] For his contributions to the development of Franco-Manitoban theatre and drama and for his commitment to ensuring the vitality of Francophone minority theatre in Canada.