Looking at the latest Order of Ontario winners

24 Outa 25 Isn’t Bad!
(if you ignore that Mike Harris is # 25)

By Stephen Weir In any other year, the release of the names of people receiving the Order of Ontario is greeted with loud cheers and applause. This year, the January 1st announcement brought out the Boo Birds and Nay Sayers because of one name on the list – former Ontario premier Mike Harris.

“Go to Hell, Mike Harris and take the now devalued (Order of Ontario) award from your friends with you!” screamed the lead editorial in a recent edition of the Caribbean Camera newspaper.

A group representing seven Ontario First Nations feels the same. They told the CBC that giving Harris the Order of Ontario is an “insult”, a “slap in the face “and a “step back in reconciliation.”

Why the backlash? It all depends who you listen to. For the Caribbean community it is all about the cutbacks to social support that the Harris Government made when he was at the helm (1995–2002). Meanwhile Indigenous chiefs are critical of 75-year-old Mike Harris receiving the Honour because of his handling of the shooting death of Dudley George at the Ipperwash Provincial Park 26-years ago.

And for everyone else? Blame Covid, of course. For the past 17-years Harris has headed up Chartwell Retirement Residences. It is one of province’s largest for-profit long-term care companies and its residents have suffered mightily from Covid-19 outbreaks and deaths over the past year.

The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest honour. An Ontarian who has shown outstanding qualities of individual excellence and achievement in any field is eligible to be appointed.

According to a government website to be eligible for the Order of Ontario, a nominee must be a long-term or former resident of Ontario (Canadian citizenship not required) and “someone whose career, in any field, has had a major impact or influence.”

This year’s crop of awardees is much more indicative of the Award’s criteria than Mike Harris. Doctors. Scientists. Artists. Asian. First Nation. African and Jamaican Canadian.Here are the 24 men and women who you probably didn’t know received their Order of Ontario Awards on January 1st

Dan Allen (pictured left)— The former Windsor councilman is a volunteer with the Essex/Kent County African Canadian Society and the Windsor Underground Railroad project. He is also devoted public servant, tenacious community advocate, a dedicated fundraiser and a celebrated champion of diversity. He has worked in all three levels of government. In these roles and as a consultant he has led the way for meaningful change initiatives.

Jamaican-born Dr Rosemary Moodie is a Canadian senator and distinguished neonatologist and pediatrician, the Hon. Rosemary Moodie's career steered social change and expanded health care access for society's vulnerable. She has provided leadership to many health organizations and projects, including the development of Canada's largest affordable housing project for low-income women. pictured above

George McLean is a world-renowned artist who has dedicated his professional life to depicting and chronicling Ontario's woodlands and natural environment. He is a former trustee at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

George McLean pictured left

Medical Awardees

Joseph Raymond Buncic – The Toronto doctor has overseen the transformation of the pediatric ophthalmology department at SickKids into an internationally distinguished clinic.

Karen Goldenberg. The Toronto based physical and occupational therapist, has developed innovations to in-home rehabilitation programs while her volunteerism has improved autism education, addiction research, and career and employment services.

Shana Kelley is the founder and director of the University of Toronto's PRiME initiative to advance drug discovery and diagnostics for diseases, including COVID-19.

Peter Liu is a cardiologist at Toronto General and the Ottawa Heart Institute. He has raised the international profile of Canadian cardiovascular research through his leadership at top national institutions.

Arden McGregor is a compassionate humanitarian and a recognized leader in the brain injury community. She is known for work in community-based rehabilitation as well as her extensive efforts in injury prevention, awareness and advocacy. She lives in Huntsville

Dr. Marilyn Sonley is a Toronto based pediatric oncologist for more than 30 years. She has led the creation of childhood cancer divisions at Princess Margaret Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children.

Political Leaders

Ernest Eves — was Ontario's 23rd premier. Elected as a MPP six times in Parry Sound and twice in Caledon. He has been involved in supporting medical marijuana research in Jamaica.

Hershell Ezrin has had a remarkable career spanning politics, corporate leadership and community advocacy. He has advised governments, served as Canadian Consul in several key U.S. cities, and devoted his life to the Canadian-Jewish community.

Hazel McCallion is the longest-serving mayor in the history of Mississauga. “Hurricane” Hazel McCallion was the fifth mayor (1978 to 2014). She is a fearless trailblazer and ceiling-breaker for women in hockey, women in politics, political leaders and seniors.

Hurricane Hazel left by sweirsweir

Bob Runciman has been the consummate Canadian public servant for 45 years at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. He has led the revitalization of Brockville's downtown area and initiating a treatment centre for inmates with mental illness.

Business Leaders

Michael DeGasperis has for over 25 years been one of Ontario's premier Developers and Home Builders. A visionary for improved access to health care, his leadership has raised millions of dollars for numerous health institutions across the province. He lives in Vaughan.

Carlo Fidani is a prominent figure in the real estate community. He believes in the transformative power of philanthropy. The Toronto man gives to health-related causes making landmark and anonymous donations.

Ellis Jacob is the CEO of Cineplex Entertainment. The Toronto man is a passionate promoter of Canadian films. He has also built cinemas in Ontario hospitals for patients to enjoy during their treatment.

Ahmad Reza Tabrizi inspirational entrepreneur. He came to Canada in 1984 and is known for his philanthropy here and in his home country of Iran. He is the founder of the Parya Trillium Foundation, and co-founded Persian Circle, a non-profit that publishes books banned in Iran

Science Leaders

Raymond Desjardins is an Ottawa based renowned atmospheric scientist at the Central Experimental Farm. He has worked with researchers, producers and consumers for over 55 years, to minimize the impact of agriculture on the environment.

Jing Jiang is a London Ontario based international expert on instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants.

Public Service

André Lapierre is a Professor of linguistics and Canadian Studies in Ottawa. Dr. Lapierre is a supporter of Franco-Ontarians and other linguistically marginalized cultures. His book provided the province's first history of French place names.

André M. Levesque served part-time as a citizen soldier with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves for 35 years. Dr. Levesque is a pioneer of memorialogy, the study of memorials and commemoration. Pictured below right.

Janet McKelvy lives in Toronto. Since the 2004 tsunami, she has led volunteer trips to Sri Lanka and has raised more than $1M for education and building projects there. She also co-founded the Toronto Public Library Foundation.

Legal

Dale Lastman is a Toronto lawyer and the son of former Toronto mayor Mel Lastman. He is known for his philanthropy and advocacy on behalf of diversity in the community. He sits on the board of several sports franchises in the NHL and NBA and is a Governor of the CFL.

Karen Weiler is recognized for her transformative work respecting the Family Law Reform Act while counsel for the Attorney General. Her distinguished judicial career spanned 37 years. She is a Director of Covenant House Toronto and volunteers with Innocence Canada.