Ontario Celebrates 2021 Order of Ontario Appointees

Twenty-four Ontarians receive the province’s highest honour for their outstanding achievements

November 04, 2022

Citizenship and Multiculturalism

Table of Contents

  1. Content
  2. Quick Facts
  3. Quotes
  4. Additional Resources
  5. Related Topics

TORONTO — The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced 24 new appointments to the Order of Ontario for 2021. The Lieutenant Governor will bestow the province’s highest honour to the new appointees at a ceremony to be held on November 21, 2022.

“As Chancellor of the Order, I join Ontarians in congratulating the 2021 Order of Ontario appointees,” said Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of The Order of Ontario. “Their service to our province is a reminder to all of us fortunate enough to call Ontario home, that the fabric of society is knit together by good deeds and the dedication of individuals. May their accomplishments be an inspiration and example for many to follow.”

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 2021 appointees to the Order of Ontario are:

  • Payam Akhavan
  • Walter Arbib
  • Teresa Cascioli
  • George Chuvalo
  • Angela Cooper Brathwaite
  • Aimée Craft
  • Stephen Diamond
  • Nishan Duraiappah
  • Mitch Frazer
  • Leo Goldhar
  • Steve (Suresh) Gupta
  • Elise Harding-Davis
  • Armand P. La Barge
  • Sandra Laronde
  • Dave Levac
  • David McKay
  • Barbara Morrongiello
  • Lori Nikkel
  • Rose M. Patten
  • Christina Petrowska Quilico
  • Robert Poirier
  • Kevin Smith
  • Joan VanDuzer
  • Sara Waxman

“On behalf of a grateful province, the Ontario government is proud to honour and congratulate the 2021 appointees to the Order of Ontario,” said Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “With their impressive achievements and outstanding contributions, these individuals represent the best of the best in our great province. Their dedication, drive and lifetime of service is an inspiration to everyone who aspires to build better communities and a stronger Ontario.”

Quick Facts

  • 822 people have been appointed to the Order of Ontario since its establishment in 1986.
  • Upon admission, members are invested with the Order’s insignia (a distinguishing mark or emblem worn to signify membership or achievement). Appointees are given the post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials or post-nominal titles (letters placed after a person’s name) to indicate the honour held by the individual.
  • Appointments to the Order are made on the recommendation of an independent advisory council based on the merit of accomplishments of nominees put forward by the public.
  • The nomination deadline is March 31 each year. Learn more about how to nominate a resident or former long-term resident of Ontario for the Order of Ontario here.

Quotes

“”As Chancellor of the Order, I join Ontarians in congratulating the 2021 Order of Ontario appointees,” said Her Honour Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of The Order of Ontario. “Their service to our province is a reminder to all of us fortunate enough to call Ontario home, that the fabric of society is knit together by good deeds and the dedication of individuals. May their accomplishments be an inspiration and example for many to follow.””

– The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario

““On behalf of a grateful province, the Ontario government is proud to honour and congratulate the 2021 appointees to the Order of Ontario. With their impressive achievements and outstanding contributions, these individuals represent the best of the best in our great province. Their dedication, drive and lifetime of service is an inspiration to everyone who aspires to build better communities and a stronger Ontario.””

– The Honourable Michael Ford
Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism

Additional Resources

Related Topics

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Media Contacts

Joe Segal
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
joe.segal@ontario.ca

Mark Pelayo
Minister’s Office
mark.pelayo@ontario.ca