Thirteen Queen’s alumni – including all five members of The Tragically Hip – are among the latest Order of Canada recipients. It is one of the country’s highest civilian honours and recognizes “outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.”
The Tragically Hip – Gord Downie, Artsci’86, LLD’16; Gord Sinclair, Artsci’86, LLD’16; Rob Baker, BFA’86, LLD’16; Paul Langlois, LLD’16, and Johnny Fay, LLD’16 – are being made Members of the Order for their contributions to Canadian music. The iconic band got its start at Queen’s and members received honorary degrees from the university in 2016.
Also being honoured is Wayne Wouters, MA’77, who is being made an Officer of the Order of Canada. Mr. Wouters spent five years as Privy Council clerk – Canada’s most senior public servant. He was honoured for his leadership across a range of senior portfolios within the public service.
Seven other alumni were named Members of the Order.
- Evergreen CEO Geoffrey Cape, Artsci’88, is being honoured for his leadership in designing and building green spaces in schools and communities.
- Actress Susan Coyne, Artsci’80, best known as the co-creator and co-writer of the award winning TV show Slings and Arrows, is being acknowledged for her contributions to Canadian theatre, film and television.
- 3D Sentry Corporation Chief Scientist Robert “Keith” Harman, SC’77, PhD’72, is being recognized for his innovations as an engineer and entrepreneur in the electronic security industry.
- John Howard Society of Canada Executive Director Catherine Latimer, Law’78, is being acknowledged for her more than 40 years of contributions to the development of criminal justice policy, most notably on issues related to youth justice.
- Patricia Mandy, MPA’90, the former CEO of Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network, is being honoured her contributions to health care administration and for her efforts to improve health services for Indigenous peoples.
- Former Deputy Minister of Justice John Sims, Arts’67, LLB’71, is being acknowledged for his commitment to improving access to justice and respected leadership as a senior public servant.
- Hatch Ltd. Executive Director Bert Wasmund, Sc’61, MSc’63, is being recognized for his contributions to the Canadian mining industry as a metallurgical engineer.
Also being inducted into the Order is Ross Beaty, who recently made a $5 million gift to Queen’s to establish the Beaty Water Research Centre. Two of his children graduated from Queen’s.
“I'd like thank these alumni for representing the Queen's community. These appointments are proof that Queen’s produces some of the nation’s top innovators and leaders. Many great Canadians have gotten their start at Queen’s,” says Queen’s University Alumni Association President Sue Bates, Artsci’91.
Mr. Downie received his Order of Canada from fellow alumnus Governor General David Johnston, Law’66, at a ceremony in Ottawa on June 19. The other recipients will be officially honoured later this year.
The Order of Canada was established in 1967 by alumnus and Member of Parliament John Matheson, Arts’40, LLD’80. He said the Tricolour Society at Queen’s served as a model for the Order of Canada.
