“Over the past 50 years Her Majesty The Queen has witnessed Canada’s coming of age as a dynamic, creative and inclusive society. From celebrated artists and scientists, to renowned athletes and dedicated nation-builders, the Canadians invited to celebrate Thanksgiving with The Queen represent achievements that make us proud to be Canadian. ”
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson

Source Department: The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, Ottawa, Canada

Extraordinary Canadians  (scroll down for details)

1952
Mr. Norman Jewison, C.C.

In 1952, Norman Jewison joined the brand new CBC Television, created the same year. The early days of television put Mr. Jewison on a creative path to international stardom as a film producer, director and television innovator. After eight years at the CBC, he went to the big screen, gaining critical acclaim for movies like Fiddler on the Roof, the Academy Award-winning In the Heat of the Night, Moonstruck, and The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming! Winner of three Emmy Awards, the TV Directors Award and the Golden Globe Award, he has produced and directed over 70 films and TV programs. In 1986, he established the Canadian Film Centre to help aspiring film-makers reach the highest levels of their art.

1953
The Honourable Gordon Robertson, P.C., C.C.

Gordon Robertson began his remarkable public service career in 1953 as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and as the first Deputy Minister of the Department of Northern Affairs. During his tenure, Gordon Robertson brought forward a new vision of Canada's North – a plan that eventually led to the creation of Nunavut in 1999. Mr. Robertson went on to become the highest public servant in the land, the Clerk of the Privy Council, and advisor to four of Canada's great political leaders – Prime Ministers King, St-Laurent, Pearson and Trudeau.

1954
Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Edgar Herbert Hollyer, M.C., C.D.

By 1954, the Korean War was over and a new phase -- monitoring the armistice -- had begun. Many Canadian troops of the Commonwealth Division in Korea stayed on, exchanging their combat role for a very different one, peacekeeping, which was just in its infancy. Among those soldiers who served in both roles in Korea was Colonel Edgar Hollyer, commanding 7 Platoon of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. Having earned the Military Cross for his courageous acts under enemy fire during the conflict, Colonel Hollyer became one of Canada's first peacekeepers, helping to ensure that the integrity of the truce was kept. Now retired, Mr. Hollyer is a second violinist with the Kanata Symphony Orchestra, Ottawa.

1955
Mr. Jean Béliveau, C.C., C.Q.

Jean Béliveau was one of the greatest hockey players in the history of the National Hockey League. In 1955, Mr. Béliveau helped the Montréal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup and was awarded the Art Ross Trophy as the top scorer and the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player. He became renowned for his talent, finesse and leadership. Off the ice, his gentlemanly conduct earned him universal respect and esteem. Mr. Béliveau retired in 1971 after a brilliant career. He remains a role model and an inspiration for all young people aspiring to become sport professionals.

1956
Mr. Farley Mowat, O.C.

Translated into 25 languages, Farley Mowat's novels, memoirs and non-fiction are reflections of his remarkable life. In 1956, he won the Governor General's Literary Award for Lost in the Barrens. His experiences in the Arctic and in the Canadian army during World War II were enormously influential, spurring the intensity and passion that he has brought to books such as And No Birds Sang and Never Cry Wolf.

1957
Ms. Doris H. Anderson, C.C.

In the Canada of the 1950s, few believed that a woman's magazine could be anything more than recipes and sewing patterns. And even fewer believed that one woman alone could break this mould. Doris Anderson did in 1957 when she became first woman editor-in-chief of Chatelaine magazine, increasing its circulation almost fourfold to 1.8 million by the late 1960s. Ms. Anderson brought the real issues of modern women to the fore: pay equity, family violence, the struggle to balance family and career. A lifelong activist for women's rights, she has been President of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women and President of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women.

1958
Ms. Lucille Wheeler-Vaughan, C.M.

Canada had never produced a gold medallist in world skiing competition until Lucille Wheeler stunned the athletic world in 1958 at the World Ski Championship in Bad Gastein, Austria, by speeding to gold in the downhill and giant slalom as well as silver in the combined event. This fine athlete from Quebec made her debut at the Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, in 1956, winning the bronze medal in the women's downhill. Lucille Wheeler's medal-winning exploits inspired a new generation of top-class Canadian women skiers. She won the Lou Marsh Trophy in 1958 as Canada's Athlete of the Year and is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

1959
Mr. Joseph-Armand Bombardier (posthumous)
Represented by his daughter, Mrs. Claire Beaudoin

Mr. Joseph-Armand Bombardier was a visionary. He dreamt of building a snowmobile, a fast, easy-to-handle and versatile vehicle for travelling on snow. In 1959, this revolutionary bright yellow vehicle, which became the trademark of Bombardier, was commercially marketed. Joseph-Armand Bombardier's invention is used in many countries around the world and particularly throughout Canada. The company founded by Mr. Bombardier has extensively diversified its activities, building trains, airplanes and a variety of sports vehicles.

1960
Mr. Paul Gérin-Lajoie, C.C., O.Q.

The year 1960 brought change of political power in Quebec. In the decade that followed, Quebec society itself changed as never before, largely through brilliantly drafted legislation. The period became known as the Quiet Revolution. Paul Gérin-Lajoie, a prominent figure in the government of Premier Jean Lesage, played a key role. As Minister of Education, he was the driving force behind profound changes made to Quebec's education system. An expert in international co-operation, Mr. Gérin-Lajoie was also a pioneer in the creation of La Francophonie.

1961
The Honourable Allan Emrys Blakeney, P.C., O.C., S.O.M.

Universal access to health services did not exist in Canada at the beginning of the 1960s. Allan Blakeney, as Health Minister in the Saskatchewan provincial government, was instrumental in changing that. Inspired by Tommy Douglas' belief that every person had the right to receive medical care based on their need, not their ability to pay, he convinced the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in 1961 to adopt the Medicare Act. This legislation ultimately paved the way to Canada's Health Care Act and universal health care for all Canadians. First elected in 1960, Mr. Blakeney was Premier of Saskatchewan from 1971 to 1982, and has contributed enormously over the past four decades to the study and practice of public administration and constitutional law.

1962
Mr. Donald George Jackson, C.M.

In 1962, Donald Jackson's outstanding performance at the World Championships in Prague won him an indisputable first place. He received seven perfect marks for free skating – an achievement never matched by any competitor before or since. This five-time figure skating champion was the first to successfully land a triple lutz in a world championship. After four decades, his outstanding competitive record still stands in the Guinness Book of Records. Known as "Canada's Ambassador on Ice", Mr. Jackson has been inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. In 1962, he won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's Outstanding Athlete of the Year.

1963
Mr. Graham Westbrook Rowley, C.M.

Geographer and archaeologist Graham Rowley is one of the last of the great Arctic explorers. In the 1930s, he travelled and lived among the Inuit, discovering new islands and mapping areas of Hudson Bay, Foxe Basin and Baffin Island uncharted since Frobisher's time 500 years earlier. He was part of a team that excavated the first major site of the Dorset culture on Baffin Island. In recognition of his remarkable contribution to Canada's knowledge of Arctic geography and culture, Mr. Rowley was awarded in 1963 the Massey Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He has recounted his time spent exploring the Canadian North in two books, The Circumpolar North and Cold Comfort: My Love Affair with the Arctic.

1964
Mr. Oscar E. Peterson, C.C., C.Q., O.Ont.

A musician of the highest order, Oscar Peterson announced his musical genius in 1964 with his first major composition, Canadiana Suite. Assuming his place in the pantheon of jazz greats, Mr. Peterson's unmistakable style at the piano has graced many recordings and concert halls. Renowned for the rich tone and dexterity that are his trademarks, audiences around the world enthusiastically welcome his recordings and performances. Mr. Peterson has won seven Grammyes and a Juno.

1965
Ms. Joan O’Malley

It was just a favour for her father, but it became a pivotal moment in Canadian history. On a Friday in 1964, Kenneth Donovan, a member of the all-party committee appointed by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson to design a new flag for Canada, was asked to assemble a prototype. He frantically gathered a few trusted colleagues to prepare the design and asked his daughter, Joan, to sew it together. The single, red maple leaf flag that Joan O'Malley (née Donovan) made was raised on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on February 15, 1965, at the stroke of noon, when Canada officially adopted our new flag.

1966
Mr. Russell S. Jackson, O.C.

Celebrated star player of the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1958 to 1969, Russ Jackson is still lauded as the Canadian Football League's best quarter-back of all time. In 1966, he won Schenley Awards for Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian, to join the five Schenley Awards he won in other years. Mr. Jackson played in four Grey Cup games (winning three -- in 1960, 1968 and 1969) and is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Head of Mathematics at Rideau High School in Ottawa while still playing professional football, he went on to become principal of secondary schools in Ottawa, Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario.

1967
Ms. Nancy Greene Raine, O.C.

The year was 1967, Canada's Centennial Year, and the occasion was the World Cup skiing circuit where Nancy Greene won the overall title. It made her a favourite for the alpine events heading into the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, France, where she won gold in the giant slalom in record time and silver in the slalom. In the 1960s, Nancy Greene was Canadian skiing. Her tenacity and toughness earned her the nickname "Tiger". A two-time recipient of the Lou Marsh Trophy for Canadian Athlete of the Year, she was also voted Canada's Female Athlete of the Century.

1968
Dr. Phil Gold, C.C., O.Q.

Dr. Phil Gold is one of the pioneers of onco-developmental biology in the treatment of cancer. In 1968, he and his colleague, Dr. Sam Freedman, discovered the carcino-embryonic antigen, the blood test most frequently used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer. This antigen has served as the prototype for the discovery of many other human tumors, and is still the standard against which all other tumor markers are measured. Dr. Gold is a member of the Royal Society of Canada and the recipient of the Isaak Walton Killam Award in Medicine.

1969
Mr. Bruce Kirby

In 1969, Bruce Kirby changed the face of sport sailing with his sleek new vessel, the Laser. This Canadian-made, 13-foot, high-performance sailboat has since become a favourite of sailors throughout the world, drawing the highest number of entries in all major events and becoming one of the 10 Olympic-class racing boats in 1996. Mr. Kirby competed as a member of Canada's sailing team in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, and the 1964 Olympics in Rome, Italy.

1970
Mr. Michael Ondaatje, O.C.

Michael Ondaatje has captivated readers the world over with his poetic imagery, the exuberance of his storytelling and intelligence of his language. Acclaimed for his poetry, prose and essays, he has won four Governor General's Literary Awards, the first in 1970 for The Collected Works of Billy The Kid. With his novel, The English Patient, he became in 1992 the first Canadian to win the prestigious Booker Prize. The movie made from The English Patient won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1996.

1971
Stompin’ Tom Connors, O.C.

His cowboy boots, signature Stetson and unforgettable presence have graced the stages of the small-town watering holes and vast urban musical stages of Canada for three decades. In 1971, he broke the house record at the famous Horseshoe in Toronto, when he played to packed houses for nine consecutive weeks. Stompin' Tom Connors is celebrated and loved all over the country for such memorable songs as Bud the Spud, Sudbury Saturday Night and The Hockey Game. This man knows Canada like no one else and all Canadians know him. In 2000, he was awarded the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement.

1972
Mr. Paul Henderson

Paul Henderson's winning goal on September 28, 1972, was one of hockey's greatest moments. In the last 34 seconds of the final game in the "Series of the Century" between Canada and the Soviet Union, Mr. Henderson carried Canada to victory. In fact, he scored the winning goals of each of the last three games in this memorable series -- crowning moments in an exceptional hockey career that spanned 18 years with the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mr. Henderson is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

1973
Mr. Ronald Turcotte, C.M.

No greater horse has thundered down the straight than Secretariat, the best thoroughbred of all time. And it was Ron Turcotte from Drummond, New Brunswick, who rode him to victory in 1973, winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes and becoming the first jockey in 25 years to win the most coveted prize in racing – the Triple Crown. He was also the first jockey in 70 years to win back-to-back Kentucky Derbies and the only one to win five of six consecutive Triple Crown races. In his career, Mr. Turcotte won over 3,000 races. He is a member of the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

1974
Mr. Dennis Lee, O.C.

"Alligator pie, alligator pie...if I don't get some, I think I'm gonna die." Adults and children alike still can't get enough of Dennis Lee's award-winning children's book Alligator Pie. This zany collection of poems, written with a decidedly Canadian slant, won the 1974 Book of the Year for Children Award from the Canadian Association of Children's Librarians. He also wrote most of the song lyrics for the popular children's TV program, Fraggle Rock. Mr. Lee won the 1972 Governor General's Literary Award for his collection, Civil Elegies and Other Poems.

1975
Dr. Billy Diamond, O.Q.

Dr. Billy Diamond was instrumental in bringing about great change to Aboriginal land claims in the modern age. He was the prime mover in the litigation and negotiations between the Grand Council of Crees and the federal government, which resulted in the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Dr. Diamond also spearheaded the establishment of policies to ensure Aboriginal and treaty rights were protected in the Canadian Constitution. In addition to his significant leadership at the national and international level, Dr. Diamond has forged innovative and successful business ventures that have vitalized the Northern economy.

1976
Mr. Greg Joy

In 1976, millions of Canadians and spectators all over the world sat entranced by the gripping duel unfolding in the final of the men's high jump competition. Despite the pouring rain, Greg Joy's thrilling leap (2m23) earned him a silver medal and the recognition that Canada not only had a major competitor in this difficult sport, but also an athlete with great style and character. Carrying the flag for Canada at the Closing Ceremonies, he symbolized for many Canadians the true meaning of the Games.

1977
The Honourable Thomas Rodney Berger, O.C.

As Commissioner of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry from 1974-1977, the Honourable Thomas Berger travelled to every settlement in the Northwest Territories, meeting with northerners in community halls, tents and fishing camps. He became known as the man who listened, hearing the distress of Aboriginal peoples about the effect of the proposed pipeline on land claims and on the very survival of their way of life. In response, his ground-breaking 1977 report, Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland, called for a 10-year moratorium on pipeline construction, allowing time to settle the land claims of the Inuvialuit, Dene and Métis of the Mackenzie Valley. Judge Berger has served as a Member of Parliament, a Member of the British Columbia Legislature and Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

1978
The Honourable Jacques Hébert, O.C.

Jacques Hébert had a dream -- to create an organization where young people learn, share and make discoveries through a variety of projects and environments. In 1978, he celebrated the first year of Katimavik, a program which enables young people aged between 17 and 21 from every region of Canada to live together, learn their second official language and become part of Canadian community life. To date, more than 22,000 young people have taken part in Katimavik, Canada's largest national youth program.

1979
The Honourable Antonine Maillet, P.C., C.C., O.Q.

Antonine Maillet, a native of Bouctouche in the heart of Acadia, is a distinguished professor, novelist, playwright and lecturer. She became widely known and respected in 1972 with her play, La Sagouine. In 1979, she made history by becoming the first writer outside of France to win the Goncourt for her novel, Pélagie-la-Charrette. Her works are internationally renowned.

1980
Mr. Scott Abbott

Question, for a piece of the pie: What Canadian sportswriter developed the concept for the world’s most popular board game? Answer: Scott Abbott. With the help of his colleague, Chris Haney, and the financial support of other interested shareholders, Mr. Abbott began production in 1980 of Trivial Pursuit. This hugely entertaining game that tests one's command of facts and ephemera is found the world over, each edition being specially tailored to the country in which it is produced. Its sales have run into the millions.

1981
Mr. John D. MacNaughton, O.C.

The Canadarm, one of space exploration's greatest tools, is the brainchild of Canadian scientist John MacNaughton. First envisioned in the late 1970s, Mr. MacNaughton's remarkable invention – the new Shuttle Remote Manipulator System – became a reality through the combined efforts of the National Research Council of Canada and NASA. The Canadarm took its maiden voyage aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981 and has since become a required feature on all space missions.

1982
Ms. Denise Filiatrault, O.C., O.Q.

Denise Filiatrault is one of the best known stars on the Quebec arts scene. She became very popular through her roles in television series such as Moi et l'autre. In 1982, she won a Genie Award for her role in the movie Les Plouffe. She also has had a distinguished career in theatre and film as a writer, comedienne, actor and producer. Mme Filiatrault has shown another aspect of her great talent in directing theatre, and the plays and films that she has produced have been acclaimed by the public.

1983
Mr. Louis Garneau, O.C., C.Q.

It was in his father's garage that Louis Garneau set up his own business in 1983. Behind him was a brilliant cycling career during which he won more than 150 races, making him well placed to produce his own brand of sportswear. His dynamic and creative firm, specializing in the design of top-of-line sportswear, has constantly expanded, most recently into the manufacture of bicycles and fitness equipment.

1984
Dr. Marc Garneau, O.C., C.D.

In 1984, Marc Garneau became the first Canadian astronaut to fly in space, first as a payload specialist and then as a mission specialist. In his third and last mission aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, he operated the Canadarm to install solar panels on the International Space Station. Mr. Garneau has logged more than 677 hours in space. He has received numerous honours, including the NASA Space Flight Medal for exceptional service. In November 2001, Mr. Garneau became President of the Canadian Space Agency.

1985
Ms. Margaret Atwood, C.C.

Margaret Atwood is considered to be among the best novelists in the English language today with such novels as The Edible Woman, Alias Grace and The Blind Assassin. In 1985, she won her second Governor General's Literary Award for her futuristic novel, The Handmaid's Tale. She has helped to establish a Canadian literary identity and inspire a new generation of writers. In 2000, Ms. Atwood was awarded the Booker Prize for her novel The Blind Assassin.

1986
The Honourable John C. Polanyi, P.C., C.C.

In 1986, Dr. John Polanyi shared with two other scientists the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. His discoveries have increased our understanding of how chemical reactions take place and opened a new field of research in chemistry. Dr. Polanyi's brilliance in science is complemented by a wide range of interests and a keen social conscience. In addition to the Nobel Prize, he has received the Medal of the Royal Society of London. He is a founding member of the Committee on Scholarly Freedom of the Royal Society and the Canadian Committee for Scientists and Scholars, of which he is President.

1987
Dr. Ian Shelton

On February 24, 1987, from the University of Toronto's Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, Canadian astronomer Ian Shelton observed the awesome power of a supernova – a cosmic explosion of energy signalling the death of a star. The rare event had not been witnessed since 1604, when astronomer Johannes Kepler watched a supernova shining in the night sky with only the naked eye. Professor Shelton's discovery generated huge excitement among international experts and sparked a lively public interest in astronomy.

1988
Dr. David Suzuki, O.C., O.B.C.

Dr. David Suzuki has devoted his life to de-mystifying and promoting understanding of the potential impact of the powerful forces shaping our lives. For 25 years, he has brought science to the general public through his television program, The Nature of Things, which is now broadcast in more than 30 countries around the world, and through the radio series, It's a Matter of Survival and From Naked Ape to Superspecies. In 1988, Dr. Suzuki received the United Nations Environment Program Medal for his internationally renowned environmental series, A Planet for the Taking. He has served as a member of the Science Council of Canada and Science for Peace, and was a founding member of Scientists for Social Responsibility.

1989
Mr. Douglas J. Cardinal, O.C.

Douglas Cardinal designs buildings that are truly Canadian. With the unveiling of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in 1989, he captivated the public with a structure that united the landscape and spirit of a northern country. His Aboriginal background informs the natural organic feeling of his buildings. Mr. Cardinal's architectural artistry has been recognized far and wide, earning him the Canada Council Molson Prize for the Arts and the 2001 Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts.

1990
Mr. George Chuvalo, C.M.

Famous for his endurance and determination, George Chuvalo faced many of the 20th century's best boxers. Ranked among the world's top ten fighters longer than any other heavyweight and Canada's heavyweight boxing champion for 11 consecutive years, his achievements were recognized in 1990 with his induction into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Today, Mr. Chuvalo travels the country in a hard-hitting campaign to bring to public attention the devastating consequences of drug use and addiction.

1991
Mr. Paul-André Crépeau, C.C., O.Q.

Eminent and internationally renowned jurist, he left an enduring mark on legal education in Canada, especially in the fields of comparative law and medical law. Professor Paul-André Crépeau, in addition to distinguishing himself through his teaching and research, was the co-author of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and played a key role in the adoption of the modernized Civil Code of Quebec in 1991.

1992
Dr. Roberta Bondar, O.C., O.Ont.

In 1992, Roberta Bondar became the first Canadian woman in space, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. She participated in the mission's International Microgravity Laboratory project as a payload specialist. A celebrated neurology research scientist and physician, Dr. Bondar was awarded the NASA Space Medal and is a member of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. An accomplished photographer, she was invited by the National Gallery of Canada to participate in its 1997 exhibit, Science and Photography: Beauty of Another Order.

1993
Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Roméo Dallaire, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.

Under extremely difficult circumstances, this man of sang-froid, courage and compassion did everything in his power to draw the attention of the world to the genocide in Rwanda and to stop it. In 1993, General Roméo Dallaire commanded, in succession, the United Nations Observation Mission in Uganda/Rwanda, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda. The situation in Rwanda was a catastrophe of proportions beyond the actions of one man, but General Dallaire persisted and pleaded for assistance from the international community. Still haunted by this terrible experience, he nevertheless continues to tell his story, warning the world against ever again abandoning a whole people to their deaths, as it did in Rwanda.

1994
Mr. Atom Egoyan, O.C.

Atom Egoyan has pushed the boundaries of convention to produce films memorable for their haunting beauty, complex imagery and disturbing dialogue. His 1994 film Exotica was the first English Canadian film at Cannes in over a decade, where it was awarded the International Critics Prize for Best Film. His other films include Felicia's Journey, Ararat and The Sweet Hereafter, which earned him a second International Critics Prize in Cannes in 1997 as well as Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. In addition to cinema, Mr. Egoyan has written and directed television and opera.

1995
Mr. Craig Kielburger, M.S.M.

In 1995, at the age of 12, Craig Kielburger founded the organization (Kids Can) Free The Children (KCFTC), an advocacy campaign to rid the world of child labour that today has grown into a major international program, with young people participating from over 35 countries. Youth members of KCFTC have raised funds for the construction of more than 300 primary schools in rural areas of developing nations, providing education every day to over 15,000 children. In 2001, KCFTC was selected by the UN and The Office of the Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict as the lead non-governmental organization to coordinate youth outreach for the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence towards Children.

1996
The Honourable Louise Arbour

In 1996, as Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Louise Arbour was the first legal official to indict a serving Head of State for war crimes and crimes against humanity. She affirmed a great principle: criminal responsibility is personal, not collective. An eminent jurist, Mme Arbour was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1987 and to the Ontario Court of Appeal in 1990. She has been a Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada since 1999.

1997
Mr. Bernard Voyer, O.C., C.Q.

Explorer and mountaineer, Bernard Voyer has 30 years of expeditions and adventures to his credit. In 1992, he was the first to cross Ellesmere Island on skis. In 1994, he reached the North Pole and, in 1996, the South Pole. In 1997, he conquered Mount Aconcagua, the highest point in the Americas, followed by Mount Everest in 1999. Two years later, in 2001, Mr. Voyer fulfilled his dream by reaching the world's coldest peak, Mount Vinson in Antarctica. He had completed his world tour, having scaled the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.

1998
The Honourable Jean-Louis Roux, C.C., C.Q.

After a career as an actor, author, stage director and artistic director, Jean-Louis Roux was appointed as Chairman of the Canada Council for the Arts in 1998. In 1950, he founded the Théâtre d'Essai de Montréal and in 1951 co-founded Le Théâtre du Nouveau Monde. He later became Director of L'École nationale de théâtre. As a stage and television actor, Mr. Roux has performed in more than 250 plays; he has produced over 50 plays, some of which he translated into French. A freelance actor since 1987, he retains a consuming passion for the theatre.

1999
Mr. John Amagoalik

John Amagoalik, born at a seasonal camp near Inukjuaq in northern Quebec, was a key player in the settlement of land claims prior to the creation of Canada's newest territory, Nunavut, on April 1, 1999. As Chief Commissioner of the Nunavut Implementation Commission, he spearheaded the preparation of a working government for the territory. Mr. Amagoalik has spent most of his working life involved in public affairs, Aboriginal rights and public administration, serving as President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Co-chair of the Inuit Committee on National Issues and Chair of the Nunavut Constitutional Forum.

2000
Dr. Joseph Gosnell, O.C., O.B.C.

The signing of the Nisga'a Final Agreement in 2000 marked the first modern land claims agreement between a First Nations people and provincial authorities in British Columbia's history. It immediately became a beacon of hope for Aboriginal people in Canada and throughout the world. And it was the result of 20 years of hard work and persistence by Dr. Joseph Gosnell, the principal negotiator and inspiration behind this landmark treaty. Dr. Gosnell, President of the Nisga'a Nation, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation and the Award for Contribution to Humanity from the Canadian Labour Congress.

2001
Mr. Zacharias Kunuk

Love, jealousy, murder and revenge the world's first feature film in Inuktitut revealed an image of the Arctic the public had seldom seen. Zacharias Kunuk's film, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner), winner of the Caméra d'Or at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, gave an intense, enthralling vision of a legend in Inuit life that has been received with enthusiasm all over the world. Mr. Kunuk's work is aesthetically accomplished and infused with a passion to preserve and disseminate Inuit culture. His other films include Qaggiq (Gathering Place), Nunaqpa (Going Inland) and Nunavut (Our Land), as well as the film documentary, Nanugiurutiga (My First Bear). He is also a carver of repute.

2002
Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Stogran, C.D.

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Canadian Forces mounted "Operation Apollo", Canada's military contribution to the international effort against terrorism. Colonel Patrick Stogran commanded the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, which became the Immediate Reaction Force (Land) deploying to Afghanistan in February 2002. This marked the first time that Canada has committed to ground combat operations since the Korean War.