Four Vancouver Islanders have received one of the highest honours in the country after being appointed to the Order of Canada this week.
On Wednesday, December 18th, the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, appointed 88 Canadians to the Order.
Of those 88, there were 13 British Columbians who received the honour.
“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future,” Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.
“Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.”
The four appointees from Vancouver Island were:
Donald A. Dippo of Comox is known for his passion for education equity.
His work as an educator and advocate has spanned decades and has increased educational access for children and teachers in Toronto, eastern Africa, South and Central America as well as right here in BC.
Dippo is also the co-founder of the Borderless Higher Education for Refugees program, based in the Dadaab Refugee Camps, which provides aid for over 330,000 asylum seekers in Kenya (49% of the country’s refugees).
Michael J. Prince of Victoria has made significant contributions to disability rights in Canada as a social and public policy expert.
He has helped advise federal, provincial and territorial governments in disability policy and has served on four royal commissions. Colleagues know him as an esteemed mentor, and as someone who is highly regarded for his activism and advocacy of inclusion and accessibility.
Allan Douglas George Wade of Duncan is a family therapist who specializes in addressing and preventing violence.
His work to examine how adults and children endure, respond to and resist violence has helped inform practical applications in social, justice and health services in Canada abroad.
Wade is also a co-developer of Response-Based Practice, which employs social justice principles to restore dignity after harm.
Mark Zuehlke, also of Victoria, is Canada’s leading writer of popular military history.
Prior to being an author, Zuehlke was a celebrated journalist who aspired for more and distinguished himself through his Canadian Battle Series.
His work has greatly enhanced the country’s understanding of Canada’s military contributions, with a focus on the Second World War.
He also has an award-winning mystery series, the Elias McCann series, that is set in Tofino and has entertained audiences across the country.
The Order of Canada has acknowledged the great achievements of over 2,000 Canadians since the appointment was created in 1967.
Nominations for the Order of Canada can be submitted anytime and by anyone via the Governor General’s website.
From the submissions, appointments are made by the Governor General on the recommendation of an advisory council.
