Lieutenant Governor of Ontario names 24 new members to the Order of Ontario

By Staff

November 5th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Order of Ontario,

Ontario has an Order of Ontario award that is given out annually to people chosen by the government; they announced 24 new appointments to the Order

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced 24 of Ontario for 2021. The award is the province’s highest civilian honour for individuals.

Two people from Oakville were honoured and one person from Milton.  No one from Burlington was recognized

Robert Poirier — Oakville

As the former chair and one of the longest serving board directors, Robert Poirier helped transform Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport into one of the most successful, community-oriented, and environmentally sustainable urban airports in North America. Committed to creating a more environmentally and community friendly province, Mr. Poirier serves as chair overseeing Ontario’s transition to a circular economy and as chair of Metrolinx’s real estate committee responsible for transit-oriented development and community benefits.

Nishan Duraiappah — Milton

As Chief of Police for Peel Region, Nishan Duraiappah is the highest ranking South Asian police officer in Ontario and the first Sri-Lankan Canadian of his rank across North America. He has dedicated his life to strengthening relations between the police and Ontario’s diverse communities through volunteer work, diversity initiatives, policing innovations, and outreach programs.

Teresa Cascioli — Oakville

Teresa Cascioli is the former CEO of Hamilton’s Lakeport Brewing. Her leadership was instrumental in saving the company from bankruptcy and turning it into a true Ontario success story in a highly competitive, male-dominated competitive beer industry. She then pivoted to supporting her community through generous philanthropic endeavours.

Payam Akhavan — Markham

Renowned international human rights lawyer, best-selling author, distinguished scholar, and member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, Payam Akhavan has investigated atrocities in conflict zones, prosecuted war crimes for the UN, and defended genocide survivors throughout the world.

Walter Arbib — Toronto

Walter Arbib, through his work as co-founder of SkyLink Aviation, helped deliver life-saving food, medicine and emergency relief to dangerous places around the globe – areas devastated by extreme weather events or conflict, including Sudan, Northern Darfur, and Yemen. Through SkyLink, and his philanthropic efforts, Walter Arbib helped restore and rebuild the lives of people around the world, many in need.

George Chuvalo — Toronto

Having faced the tragic effects of addiction within his own family, former Canadian heavyweight boxing champion, George Chuvalo, has spent multiple decades helping Ontarians understand the risks of drugs through his candid and direct presentations. With passion and humour, he has continued to have a positive impact on his community and the people of Ontario.

Angela Cooper Brathwaite — Whitby

Born in Trinidad, Dr. Angela Cooper Brathwaite has come a long way in her nearly five decades as a nurse. She has launched initiatives to promote nursing education, improve women and children’s health, and address racism in the nursing profession. Long admired by her peers, she promises to leave a lasting legacy in health care in Ontario.

Aimée Craft — Ottawa

An internationally recognized researcher and mentor, professor and award-winning author, Aimée Craft is one of Canada’s leading minds on Indigenous legal traditions and Canadian Aboriginal law. She is the founding Director of Research at the National Centre for Reconciliation where she works tirelessly to ensure that her research program promotes understanding within Indigenous communities.

Stephen Diamond — Toronto

Stephen Diamond is a driving force behind many of Toronto’s innovative real estate projects. His business flair is matched only by his philanthropic contributions to organizations such as Sunnybrook Hospital, City of Toronto’s PAYE Program, Sanctuary House and the United Jewish Appeal, all which serve to help improve the lives of Ontarians.

Mitch Frazer — Toronto

Mitch Frazer may be one of Canada’s foremost experts on pension law, but his forté is helping others. He founded the National Institute of Ageing “to make Canada the best place to grow up and grow old.” His knack for problem-solving has helped to raise much-needed funds for many universities, hospitals, and cultural institutions.

Leo Goldhar — Toronto

Leo Goldhar turned compassionate service into success by championing health care workers, seniors with dementia, European Holocaust survivors living in poverty, and more. His many years of philanthropy, including supporting the University Health Network, the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies have contributed to the health, and well-being of people across Ontario and around the world.

Steve (Suresh) Gupta — Toronto

Immigrating to Ontario with $108, Steve Gupta has become a leader in Canada’s hospitality and condominium industries and was recognized as one of Canada’s top 25 immigrants by RBC in 2013. His passion to give back led to the establishment of eye surgery camps in India, dialysis machines in Guyana, and the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Canada.

Elise Harding-Davis — Harrow

Elise Harding-Davis has always said, “Without Black history, history is incomplete.” For over 60 years, she has highlighted how African Canadians were essential to Canada’s development and was the first Black female curator/administrator of an accredited museum in Canada, known as the Amherstburg Freedom Museum. She also taught African Canadian Studies at St. Clair College.

Armand P. La Barge — Bethany

A 37-year veteran of York Regional Police, Chief Armand La Barge is a champion of diversity and inclusion, an ardent defender of social justice and human rights, and a life-long community activist and volunteer. In recognition of his leadership, he was elected President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ontario Director for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

Sandra Laronde — Toronto

Temagami’s Sandra Laronde is a First Nations multidisciplinary artist who has created and produced Indigenous arts and events for over 30 years. She is the founding Artistic Director of Red Sky Performance and was Director of Indigenous Arts at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. For her artistic leadership, Ms. Laronde has received many awards, including the Meritorious Service Decoration on behalf of the Governor General of Canada.

Dave Levac — Brantford

Dave Levac was a distinguished educator, a Member of Provincial Parliament for 19 years and Ontario’s longest serving Speaker of the House. He was recognized as Brantford Citizen of the Year for being a strong advocate for children with special needs, firefighters, veterans, the CNIB, and Special Olympics Ontario.

David McKay — Toronto

A passionate mentor, fierce leader, and dedicated philanthropist, David McKay is an inspiration to many and has undoubtedly impacted the lives of thousands. As the CEO of the Royal Bank of Canada, he has launched countless programs and initiatives, giving youth across the province access to equal opportunity.

Barbara Morrongiello — Guelph

An international leader in childhood injury prevention, Dr. Barbara Morrongiello’s novel integrative models and unique prevention programs have shaped the field of public health. Her work serves as a guide for communities and researchers throughout Canada and around the world – measurably reducing injury risks to children every day. Her mentorship is also preparing the next generation of scholars to advance this vital research.

Lori Nikkel — Toronto

Celebrated as one of Canada’s 25 Most Influential Women, Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, scaled the organization nation-wide and oversaw the publication of the first report to quantify food waste in Canada. Fuelled by the state of food insecurity in her community, she has dedicated her career to providing solutions for families all over Canada through the creation of countless programs and initiatives.

Rose M. Patten — Toronto

Consistently named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Rose Patten is internationally celebrated for her leadership and expertise as a senior banking executive.

Ms. Patten has served her community with dedication and inspiration as chair of the Hospital for Sick Children and a chair at the University of Toronto, where she was re-elected in 2021 to a second three-year term as the university’s 34th chancellor.

Christina Petrowska Quilico — Toronto

Pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico has opened the ears of music lovers internationally through numerous classical and contemporary performances, with an orchestra and as soloist on over 50 internationally acclaimed recordings. As a Professor of Musicology and Piano at York University, she has received esteemed research awards. As a benefactor, she established The Christina and Louis Quilico Award at the Ontario Arts Foundation and the Canadian Opera Company.

Kevin Smith — Toronto

Dr. Kevin Smith is a rare leader who understands the importance of the continuum of care, from basic research to community health, within the framework of a publicly funded health care system. He has a long and distinguished career and as the current CEO of University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s largest research hospital network, he continues to make a healthier world by transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning.

Joan VanDuzer — Toronto

Creator of Harbinger Foundation, Joan VanDuzer has supported many local and global causes. She is dedicated to improving quality of life by increasing access to clean water and sanitation in areas experiencing poverty. Through the establishment of Mansfield Heritage Farm, Ms. VanDuzer recognizes and celebrates the sacred and life affirming role of water as well as the delicate relationship between the land and those who depend on it for food sustainability.

Sara Waxman — Toronto

Sara Waxman elevated Ontario’s food and hospitality industry in an unparalleled manner. Leveraging her profile as a leading restaurant critic, best-selling cookbook author, food and travel journalist and magazine publisher, she helped put Ontario squarely on the map as a premier food and travel destination. Busy as she was, Ms. Waxman devoted enormous time to a breadth of charitable causes with each one benefiting from her energy, enthusiasm, and networking abilities.

The Ontario Order has 812 members