Latest news with #OrderOfCanada
CBC
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Bruce Cockburn gets standing ovation at Winnipeg Folk Festival as he's given key to the city
Social Sharing Music legend Bruce Cockburn has played for crowds at the Winnipeg Folk Festival for five decades, but before taking the stage Saturday, he received the city's highest honour. Mayor Scott Gillingham presented the key to the city to the Canadian singer-songwriter, who was written more than 350 songs and released around three-dozen albums. Cockburn is also an advocate for human rights and the environment. The key to the city recognizes the significant contributions of dignitaries visiting the city. Valerie Shantz, the festival's executive director, said the crowd gave Cockburn a standing ovation. "It was a really beautiful moment," said Shantz. Some of Cockburn's best-known songs include Lovers in a Dangerous Time, Wondering Where the Lions Are and The Coldest Night of the Year. Cockburn, who turned 80 in May, made a special detour from his tour to be part of the celebration for the festival's 50th anniversary. Cockburn performed at the first Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1974, which was organized to mark Winnipeg's centenary. "He was so really important in that first year," said Shantz. "He's just been an incredibly important artist for our festival." Shantz said Cockburn also performed at the festival in 1975, 1978, 1984, 1998, 2006 and 2017. "He, too, shares that affinity with the Folk Festival and he feels like this is a really special place for him," she said. Cockburn is an officer of the Order of Canada, recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and 13-time Juno Award winner, the city said in a news release. This is the second time Gillingham has given out the key to the city. "The mayor's choice to honour the festival by honouring one of our artists, I thought that was a really lovely touch," said Shantz.
National Post
07-07-2025
- Health
- National Post
Amy Hamm: The Order of Canada has been exposed as a sham
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Handing out awards to Theresa Tam and Bonnie Henry shows how politically motivated it is A woman walks past murals of Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. Bonnie Henry on the side of a building in Vancouver in 2020. Photo by Richard Lam/PNG The Order of Canada no longer means anything, if it ever meant anything at all. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors On June 30, the supposedly prestigious Canadian honour was awarded to physicians Theresa Tam and Bonnie Henry, the former chief public health officer of Canada and the current provincial health officer of British Columbia, respectively. With these two appointments, the Order of Canada should no longer be considered an honour; instead, it should be seen as a symbol of conformity, obedience and antipathy towards those of us who care about our collective rights and freedoms. Both doctors became famous — in relative Canadian terms — for their public-health decrees issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor General's website explains that, 'Bonnie Henry has been using her expertise in public health and preventive medicine to safeguard the health of people in Canada and globally for decades. Notably, as provincial health officer, she led British Columbia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is also an author, scholar and University of British Columbia clinical associate professor.' This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays) By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again For her part, Tam was given the award because, 'For decades, Theresa Tam has striven to advance global and national public health as a pediatric infectious disease specialist and public servant. Her tenure as Canada's chief public health officer has been characterized by her commitment to health equity and highlighted by her leadership role in the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.' These explanations are blatant whitewashing. Any Canadian who lived through the pandemic will be familiar with the repeat controversies and scandals that plagued both public-health officers. They will be remembered, not for safeguarding life, but for cracking down on Canadians with harmful and coercive public-health policies, many of which were not supported by scientific evidence. Henry clung to her illiberal and unnecessary vaccine mandate for health-care workers long after it was obvious that the vaccine was not stopping the spread of the virus. Many lost their jobs and the health-care system has yet to recover from the loss. Henry only rescinded the mandate in the lead-up to the 2024 provincial election, in what appeared to be a politically motivated decision intended to thwart the rise of B.C.'s Conservative party. It was despicable. Henry, who's part owner of a B.C. winery, also curiously issued 2021 orders to prohibit indoor dining for bars and restaurants — but not for wineries offering wine tasting sessions. Hmm. Then there's Tam. Her policies left such a sour note in Canadians' mouths that police pre-emptively placed security around her home in the lead-up to the Freedom Convoy protests. She has been widely condemned for her support of harmful lockdown policies, for which Canadians are still suffering to this day. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Henry and Tam's inductions into this Canadian hall of fame is more than enough proof of how politicized the Order of Canada has become. The Governor General is merely patting politically connected cronies on the back. But Canadians know the truth. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a legal advocacy organization, expressed anger over the appointments on X: 'Honouring Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Theresa Tam the Order of Canada for their destructive and unscientific policies amounts to politicizing this Award. Given the questions about vaccine mandates, and other violations of Charter rights and freedoms, this is completely irresponsible.' The Order of Canada has been around since 1967. In its 58 years, more than 8,500 people have been given the 'honour,' an average of around 147 people a year. To be considered eligible for an Order of Canada, one must be alive and not currently an elected official or sitting judge. That's it. You don't even have to be Canadian. The Governor General's website explains that, 'Living non-Canadians are also eligible if their contributions have brought benefit or honour to Canadians or to Canada.' Henry and Tam have done neither. Many argue that they've done the opposite. An Order of Canada can also be taken away. There is something dubious about an award that can be given and then taken, the honour of its bestowing vanished from the annals of a country's history. A Nobel Prize, for instance, cannot be revoked. This is further evidence that the Order of Canada is not a serious award. Not to mention that Don Cherry does not have one — what a farce. The Governor General is handing out Orders of Canada like Costco hands out samples to its members. If you're in the club, you can get one — just get in line and wait your turn.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
8 Maritimers appointed to the Order of Canada
Order of Canada medals are seen on a table before being presented during a ceremony at Rideau Hall Friday November 22, 2013 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS) Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announced 83 appointments to the Order of Canada earlier this week and eight Maritimers are on the list. New Brunswick Two Universite de Moncton faculty were named to the order. Guitar and lute professor Michel Cardin, who has been with the music department since 1992, received the honour, as well as Stephen White, a genealogist and former researcher at the Anselme-Chiasson Centre for Acadian studies. 'The Université de Moncton is extremely proud to see two members of its community honored with one of Canada's highest civilian distinctions. Mr. Cardin and Mr. White continue to enhance the university's influence, both here and across the country,' says Dr. Denis Prud'homme, the university's president and vice-chancellor. Nova Scotia Evolutionary and molecular biologist Ford Doolittle has been named a Companion of the Order of Canada. Dalhousie University, where Doolittle was previously a professor, says he becomes only the seventh Nova Scotian ever to be awarded the status of Companion. 'It is very nice to join the Order of Canada and be recognized in this particularly Canadian way,' says Doolittle, who was born and raised in the United States. 'When I first joined the Faculty of Medicine, more than a half-century ago, it felt like coming home. It feels that way even more so now.' Elizabeth Rollins Epperly of Kentville – the first woman to serve as president of the University of Prince Edward Island – was made a member of the Order of Canada for her contributions elevating the works of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. 'After my initial surprise, I have felt only joy at the honour of being included in the Order of Canada family,' Epperly says. 'I love anything that reflects well on my alma mater.' Four other Nova Scotians have also been named members of the Order of Canada: Multidisciplinary artist Ronald Bourgeois of Halifax Former Chief Justice J. Michael MacDonald of Halifax George Rodger of Halifax for his work with the YMCA Sharon Ross of Halifax for her social advocacy and inclusion work The inductees will be invested in ceremonies to be scheduled at a later date. With files from The Canadian Press and
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Leaders and celebrities mark Canada Day in nation's capital
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon marked the importance of unity at the national Canada Day ceremony in Ottawa. In addition to giving an address, Simon also invested five people into the Order of Canada, including Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds. Prince Edward praised Canada's accomplishments, while Terry Fox's brother Darrell marked the 45th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope. (July 1, 2025).
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Newsroom Ready: Leaders and celebrities mark Canada Day in nation's capital
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon marked the importance of unity at the national Canada Day ceremony in Ottawa. In addition to giving an address, Simon also invested five people into the Order of Canada, including Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds. Prince Edward praised Canada's accomplishments, while Terry Fox's brother Darrell marked the 45th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope. (July 1, 2025).
