Six UCalgary members receive Order of Canada appointments

On Nov. 27, the Right Hon. Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, announced 114 new appointments to the Order of Canada.

Established in 1967 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is one of this country’s highest civilian honours, recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.

• Pictured above: Professor Emerita Lynn McIntyre

A number of UCalgary members are among this year’s awardees.

“Recipients of the Order of Canada include our nation’s most extraordinary innovators, pioneers and change agents,” says President Ed McCauley. “This year’s awardees are making a tremendous impact in their fields and communities, as they strive to enrich the lives of others.”

• Tom Jackson, Hon. LLD’03, is awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada for his prolific career as an actor and singer, and for his philanthropic initiatives supporting underprivileged people across Canada and abroad.
• Olympian Mark Tewksbury, Hon. LLD'10, is a former UCalgary Dino. He is awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada for his athletic excellence and sport leadership, and for championing equity, inclusion and human rights, both on and off the field of play.
• Dr. Judy Birdsell, MSc’87, PhD ’97, a member of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, is appointed for her extensive contributions to improving health care and the quality of life for patients in Alberta and across Canada.
• John Lacey, Hon. LLD’18, is recognized for his dedicated international business leadership, mentorship of the next generation and philanthropy in support of the arts.
• Dr. Lynn McIntyre, MD, is recognized for her influential research on health equity and food insecurity, and for her contributions to public health policies in Canada. McIntyre is professor emerita in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, and a member of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health.
• Elder Doreen Spence, Traditional Knowledge Keeper at the Cumming School of Medicine, is recognized for her efforts as an internationally respected Cree Elder advocating for peace and Indigenous peoples’ human rights.

Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a future date.