by Brent Eades
Several local recipients of the Order of Canada were at Rideau Hall today for an event marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of this award for outstanding service to the nation.
Presided over by Governor General David Johnston, the event saw over 750 recipients of the Order and their guests mingling on the grounds of Rideau Hall, joined by past Governors-General or their surviving spouses. Also attending was former astronaut Julie Payette, our next Governor General.
Local Order of Canada recipients and their partners at Rideau Hall: (second from left) Jan Andrews; (third from left) Noreen Young; (middle, in vest) Tony Belcourt; (right) Jim Hugessen.
Here are the contributions to Canada that our neighbours were honoured for, as described on the Order of Canada website:
Noreen Young
“A masterful puppet builder and puppeteer, she has effectively used puppetry to educate children on such crucial issues as safety, nutrition, environmental awareness and addictions.”
Jan Andrews
“For her contributions to Canadian culture as a children’s book author and as a pioneer of Canada’s storytelling movement.”
Tony Belcourt
“Tony Belcourt has helped to give a voice to Canada’s Métis community. A respected leader and advocate, he has worked tirelessly to remove barriers faced by Indigenous peoples.”
Jim Hugessen
“When he lost his sight to macular degeneration in the late 1990s, he chose to stay on the Federal Court bench as a trial and case management judge for the remainder of his 36-year career—an inspiration to many Canadians contending with vision loss.”
I’ve also just discovered that another Almonte resident, Robert Harman, was named to the Order of Canada recently, “for his innovations as an engineer and entrepreneur in the electronic security industry.”
Some photos from the event:
