Monday August 7, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 1:10 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The headline on today’s news release from the Lieutenant Governor of BC reads: “B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians.”
And then continues: “Fourteen exceptional people who have made an outstanding provincial, national or international impact will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition and an official part of the Canadian Honours System.”
Service and achievements:
“As representative of the Crown in British Columbia and as chancellor of the Order of British Columbia, I am honoured to welcome these 14 members,” said Janet Austin, lieutenant governor of British Columbia.
“This honour is a mark of excellence, reflected in the service and achievements of these incredible British Columbians. Their accomplishments have left an indelible mark on their communities, and ensuing legacies will impact our province to the benefit of future generations. It is my great pleasure to share my congratulations to all new appointments to the order.”
Pandemic leadership:
Notably, there are two management-style leaders who are on this year’s list:
- Penny Ballem, who led the rollout of the BC Immunization Program
- Gordon Fyfe, who as CEO of the BC Investment Management Corp navigated the financial markets amid a global health and financial crisis.
Now over 500 OBC recipients:
This year 224 British Columbians were nominated, bringing the total membership of the Order of British Columbia to 503. Members have been appointed from all parts of the province.
“These 14 remarkable individuals … have contributed in unique and profound ways to our province, our nation and beyond, through leadership, selflessness and generosity,” said Premier David Eby. “Congratulations to all on their appointment to the Order of British Columbia.”
Appointed to the Order for 2023:
- Dr. Penny J. Ballem of Vancouver
- Evanna Brennan of Vancouver
- Dr. Jane Buxton of Vancouver
- Pieter R. Cullis, OC, of Vancouver
- Samuel L. Feldman of Vancouver
- Gordon J. Fyfe of Saanich
- Susan Giles of Vancouver
- Byng Giraud of Winlaw
- Chief Councillor Harold Leighton of Prince Rupert
- Susan E. Paish, KC, of North Vancouver
- George C. Reifel, MGC, of Vancouver
- Ryan Reynolds of New York, N.Y.
- Daljit Thind of Vancouver
- Patricia Woroch of Surrey
From all walks of life:
The B.C. government says it has worked to increase awareness of the Province’s highest honour to ensure that outstanding people from all walks of life and from all parts of the province have an opportunity to be honoured. The Province has received more than 6,600 public nominations for the Order of B.C. over the past 34 years.
An independent advisory council selects members of the Order of B.C. The 2023 advisory council consisted of:
- Robert J. Bauman (chair), chief justice of British Columbia;
- Raj Chouhan, speaker of the legislative assembly;
- Deborah Buszard, interim president and vice-chancellor, University of British Columbia;
- Silas Brownsey, deputy minister, Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat;
- Jen Ford, president, Union of British Columbia Municipalities;
- Gerry St. Germain, Order of B.C. recipient 2022; and
- Harinder Mahil, Order of B.C. recipient 2022.
Ceremony in Fall 2023:
The Order of B.C. investiture ceremony for 2023 recipients and invited guests will be at Government House in Victoria in the late fall.
Medal of Good Citizenship:
The Province’s other honour, the Medal of Good Citizenship, recognizes people who have gone above and beyond without expectation of reward in service to their communities.
Nominations for the Medal of Good Citizenship are open and must be received by Sept. 4, 2023, to be considered for this year.
===== GOVERNMENT LINKS:
- The Order of British Columbia: http://www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca
- For information about the Medal of Good Citizenship, including how to submit a nomination, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/medalofgoodcitizenship
- Nomination forms and submission instructions are available online, by telephone at 250 387-1616, or by email: bchonoursandawards@gov.bc.ca (mailto:bchonoursandawards@gov.bc.ca)
- Biographies of recipients: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BiographiesOBC2023.pdf
===== RELATED:
- Premier Eby’s statement on BC Day 2023 (August 7, 2023)
- BC Day 2023 commentary: a welcoming place amidst challenges (August 7, 2023)
- Order of BC evening at Government House (December 2, 2022)
- 2022 Order of BC to 14 recipients (August 1, 2022)
- Order of BC ceremony online March 3 (March 3, 2022)
BACKGROUNDER
Order of British Columbia
Established in 1989 by statute, the Order of British Columbia represents the highest form of recognition the province can extend to its citizens. Since its inception, 503 British Columbians have been appointed to the order.
Appointments to the order are made annually to the most outstanding British Columbians. To be considered for 2024, nominations and letters of support must be received by the first Friday in April (April 5, 2024) at the Honours and Awards Secretariat office: bchonoursandawards@gov.bc.ca (mailto:bchonoursandawards@gov.bc.ca)
Criteria
Any resident of B.C. or former long-term resident who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, excellence or distinction in a field of endeavour benefiting the province or elsewhere is eligible to be nominated. Fields of endeavour may include community leadership, business, labour, industry, art, sports, indigenous reconciliation, volunteer service, professions or other occupations.
Federal, provincial and municipal elected representatives are not eligible for appointment to the order while they remain in office. A person may not be appointed to the order posthumously.
Nominations
Anyone can nominate an individual whom they feel is worthy of this acknowledgment and honour. Appointments are made by the lieutenant governor in council on the recommendation of the advisory council, an independent council chaired by the chief justice of British Columbia. The head of the order is the lieutenant governor of B.C.
Insignia description
The Insignia of the Order of B.C. is in the form of a medal. The medal depicts a stylistic dogwood, the floral emblem of B.C., and features a crowned shield of arms. It is worn with a green, gold, white and blue ribbon.