From finance to fighting racism, Order of Canada appointees include prominent Quebecers
Monique Leroux, Daniel Lavoie, Myrna Lashley among those with Quebec ties
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon has announced 83 new appointments to the Order of Canada, and the list includes several high-achieving Quebecers.
The order is meant to celebrate people who have made extraordinary contributions to Canadian society.
Here is a rundown of appointees with Quebec ties who are part of Thursday's list of appointments, including one Quebecer who was promoted to "companion" — the highest level of the Order of Canada.
'A leading figure in Canadian finance'
Twelve years after being appointed as a member, Monique Leroux is now a companion of the Order of Canada.
According to the news release for Thursday's announcement, Leroux is "a leading figure in Canadian finance" who played a major role in the national and international growth of Desjardins Group.
She spent 12 years there as an executive. She's also represented the country in several multinational groups and committees.
Decades of musical excellence
Daniel Lavoie, a decorated singer and songwriter born in Dunrea, Man., is now an officer of the Order Canada.
He's known for being one of the original cast members of the Notre-Dame de Paris musical. In 1983, he released his chart-topping hit song called Ils s'aiment (French for "They love each other.")
As part of Thursday's announcement, Lavoie was described as a "prominent ambassador for French-Canadian culture."
In 2022, he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
An honorary nod to the maestro
Conductor Kent Nagano spent 16 years at the helm of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, before leaving in 2020.
At the time, the OSM said it hoped to maintain a relationship with the celebrated conductor. The following year, Nagano was named conductor emeritus of the OSM.
He is one of two people this year being appointed as honorary officers. Each year, the Governor General can give honorary appointments to up to five people who are not Canadian citizens.
'Commitment to racial justice'
Myrna Lashley, an associate professor of psychiatry at McGill University, is being appointed as a member of the order.
Lashley has worked as a consultant on issues of equity and inclusivity for all levels of government.
"She is internationally recognized as an authority on cultural psychology and mental health," reads Thursday's news release.
"Her commitment to racial justice has helped improve the experiences and outcomes for marginalized groups across Canada."
Here are other appointees with ties to the province of Quebec:
OFFICERS
- Charles M. Morin: Université Laval professor credited with groundbreaking research on psychological and behavioural interventions for insomnia
MEMBERS
- Daniel Georges Bichet: Université de Montréal (UdeM) professor and internationally renowned nephrologist.
- Pierre Chastenay: Professor at Université du Québec à Montréal who specializes in science communication.
- Marcelle Dubois: Quebec playwright and theatre director who co-founded the Festival du Jamais Lu, giving hundreds of playwrights a platform to showcase their talent.
- Arnie Gelbart: The founder, executive producer and CEO of Galafilm Productions Inc., who has overseen the production of documentaries, television series and specials and feature films.
- Pierre Legault: The co-founder of Moisson Montréal and Renaissance.
- Mother Pierre Anne Rosaria Mandato: Quebec provincial superior of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Mary and founder of the Hope of Life – Children of the World Association.
- Robert Panet-Raymond: A philanthropist and administrator who helped spark the growth of UdeM's physical education and sports centre.
- Dan Poenaru: A McGill University professor and pediatric surgeon, who helped found three medical schools in Africa.
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