Six Nova Scotians appointed to Order of Canada

Six Nova Scotians were appointed to the Order of Canada on Monday for careers ranging from the arts and justice to science and social services.

They are among the 83 Canadians of varied pursuits who will join the highest rank of Canada’s civilian honours system.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon signed the “instrument of appointment” in Ottawa on Monday, marking their membership in the order that celebrates Canadians who have “enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country.”

Since its creation in 1967, over 8,200 Canadians have been appointed.

The following are the Nova Scotians who were officially appointed Monday:

COMPANION

W. Ford Doolittle of Halifax was named a companion of the order, recognizing outstanding achievement and “merit of the highest degree.”

The evolutionary and molecular biologist is a professor emeritus at Dalhousie University. His appointment notes that his work on the evolution of micro-organisms and their genomes “has fundamentally altered our understanding of the origins of life.”

MEMBERS

Ronald Joseph Bourgeois of Halifax has dedicated his life to promoting and sharing Acadian culture.

A multidisciplinary artist with a career spanning over 40 years, he has distinguished himself in fields as diverse as song, television program and series production, cultural organization co-ordination and artistic direction for events.

Elizabeth Rollins Epperly of Kentville is a pre-eminent scholar and administrator who has elevated studies in the works of Lucy Maud Montgomery.

She is esteemed for writing some of the earliest feminist readings

of Montgomery and has inspired generations of scholars.

J. Michael Macdonald of Halifax is a former chief justice of Nova Scotia who helped make the province a national leader in access to justice, promoted judicial outreach initiatives and wrote 500 decisions.

A former member of the Canadian Judicial Council and chair of the Mass Casualty Commission, he is now chair of Phoenix Youth Programs. George Elliot Rodger of Halifax Regional Municipality has shaped the YMCA across Canada. His leadership has been sought after in major facility development projects where he led capital campaigns to secure accessible community programming.

His ongoing legacy continues to support a variety of services, in

cluding child care, employment coaching and counselling.

Sharon Diane Brown Ross of Halifax dedicated her life to serving Canadians, making a significant impact in Nova Scotia and across the country, according to a government news release.

Her professional work and volunteer efforts exemplify her commitment to social advocacy and inclusion.

She played a key role in helping racial people achieve recognition, integrity and equal opportunities.

Among the other Canadians who earned the honour were Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, former deputy prime minister John Manley, B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Maureen Mcteer for her work on gender and health issues.