Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, yesterday announced 26 new appointments to the Order of Ontario for 2022, two of whom are from Durham.
The incoming Lieutenant Governor, Edith Dumont, will bestow the province’s highest honour to the new appointees in a ceremony taking place on November 27.
The Order of Ontario recognizes exceptional leaders from all walks of life and diverse fields of endeavour whose impact and lasting legacy have played an important role in building a stronger province, country and world.
The two appointees Durham are Cindy Adams and Andre De Grasse, both from Pickering.
Cindy Adams is the founding Executive Director of Scientists in School, an innovative organization that is inspiring the next generation of innovators in Ontario and across Canada. Since its inception in 1989, the organization has ignited the scientific curiosity of millions of children and connected scientific knowledge to their world, including over 700,000 children annually and many from under-served communities, said a statement.
Andre De Grasse raced into hearts of Canadians from coast to coast to coast as Canada’s fastest man and an Olympic Gold Medalist. But he has never forgotten his beginnings. The Andre De Grasse Family Foundation inspires and empowers youth through improved access to sport, education and health care. His best-selling children’s book, ‘Race With Me!’, is the story of his life and illustrates how Ontarians have won with him every step of the way, it added.
“As Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, I am proud to recognize the Order’s 2022 appointees. These remarkable Ontarians demonstrate outstanding merit and excellence in many diverse disciplines, including the arts, science, education, sports, and human rights,” said Lieutenant Governor Dowdeswell. “In reflecting the best of Ontario, they inspire the best in ourselves. On behalf of a grateful province, I offer my warmest congratulations.”
The 2022 appointees to the Order of Ontario are:
- Dyane Adam, CM
- Cindy Adams
- Jordan Bitove
- Vanessa Burkoski*
- Michael Cheng
- Dianne Cunningham
- Andre De Grasse
- Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann, CM
- David Jenkins, OC
- Christina Jennings, CM
- Mohamed Lachemi
- Eric Lindros
- Arthur Lockhart
- Lorin MacDonald
- Christine Nesbitt
- Beverley Orser
- Pauline Shirt
- Frank Silver
- John P. Smol, OC
- David Tannenbaum
- Biagio Vinci
- Ajay Virmani
- Padraig Warde
- MaryLynn West-Moynes
- Marva Wisdom
- Elizabeth Witmer
* This appointee was invested in a private ceremony before passing away in August 2023.