2023 Order of Ontario Appointees

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The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced 25 new appointments to the Order of Ontario for 2023. Since its creation in 1986, more than 800 people have been recognized with the province's highest civilian honour for their extraordinary contributions.

The 2023 appointees to the Order of Ontario are:

Jay Aspin- North Bay

Jay Aspin has dedicated more than four-and-a-half decades to enhancing the growth and all aspects of life in Northern Ontario. He served as Chair of the Near North District School Board, Trustee with the Nipissing Board of Education, Councilor with the City of North Bay and was the Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming. More recently, his service with Ontario Health has enhanced the province's healthcare system notably in Northern Ontario.

John M. Beck - Toronto

John M. Beck is a leader in construction and infrastructure development who left his mark in Ontario and throughout the country. As the founder of Aecon Group, he spearheaded the construction of some of the most well-known landmarks that shape Canada's identity and landscape: the CN Tower, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Vancouver Skytrain and Trudeau International Airport, to name a few. Through his support of foundations and many charities, he is helping improve the lives of many people across Ontario and beyond.

Jo-Anne Clarke - Sudbury

A transformational trailblazer and true visionary, Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke became the first geriatrician in Northeastern Ontario, filling a glaring need throughout the region.She initiated a Care of the Elderly training program and opened clinics in Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay, Parry Sound and James Bay, brightening the future for thousands of seniors. An exceptional physician, her courageous and relentless efforts have led to the evolution of geriatrics care.

Hon. David Collenette- Ottawa

The Honourable David Collenette served as a Member of Parliament and cabinet minister under three prime ministers. Among his many achievements, he helped bring former Warsaw Pact nations into NATO, changed federal policy toward racial equality and diversity and led Canada's security response to 9/11. He has contributed countless hours to numerous not-for-profit projects, including the arts and as chair of the NATO Association of Canada.

Claire Crooks - London

Dr. Claire Crooks is a groundbreaking clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in violence prevention among adolescents. She co-developed the "Fourth R", a relationship-based approach to reducing dating violence and delinquency among youth, a program now in use in thousands of schools throughout Canada and around the world. She has trained thousands of social workers, mental health professionals and judges and inspired a national movement to address youth mental health.

Julie Di Lorenzo - Toronto

A trailblazing developer revitalizing urban life, Julie Di Lorenzo is one of the few women to head a real estate company. As President of Diamante Urban Corp, she creates iconic buildings with an eye for the greater good. Her developments reinvigorate neighbourhoods and her passion for green initiatives redefines the industry. As a member of the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force, she has helped provide advice to help the government achieve its goal of building more homes to reduce housing costs. In her volunteer work, she helps create a more caring community. At every turn, Julie's sense of citizenship shines through.

John English - Guelph

Professor John English brings history to life, shaping our understanding of our past and place in the world today. Among his many works are best-selling biographies of Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. He brought his expertise to organizations such as the Canadian International Council and the Dictionary of Canadian Biography/Dictionionnaire biographique du Canada. Professor English also served as a Member of Parliament and received the Order of Canada.

Lee Errett - Toronto

Dr. Lee Errett transformed St. Michael's Hospital into a world-class centre for cardiac surgery, teaching and research as Chief of Cardiac Surgery. His work as a professor of global surgery at the University of Toronto established him as a mentor blessed with deep knowledge and profound empathy. With a distinguished 40-year career, he has established Canada as a leader in research and cardiac care and performed surgeries in 34 countries.

Gervan Fearon - Toronto

Former President and Vice-Chancellor at Brock University, Brandon University and currently President of George Brown College, Dr. Gervan Fearon has a vision for equity, inclusion and community empowerment. A veteran educator, he leads efforts to provide transformative education opportunities that benefit learners, industry and the greater community. His influential contributions to the white paper, "Towards a Vision for the Black Community," pioneered ideas for positive change.

Patrick Foran - Whitby

CTV Consumer Alert reporter Patrick Foran has had Ontario's back for three decades dispensing financial and consumer advice. His relentless reporting on consumer fraud has helped thousands of people recover millions of dollars. This tireless advocate always gives back, determined to educate on financial matters. He speaks at libraries, churches and community centres, works with charities including Bloorview Kids Foundation and World Vision, served on the federal government's Financial Literacy Task Force and wrote 4 best-selling books.

Blake C. Goldring - Toronto

Blake C. Goldring is a business leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose certainty of character and respect for others has defined his leadership. As Executive Chairman of AGF Management Limited, Blake's business acumen is unquestioned. As a lifelong philanthropist with a deep sense of citizenship and devotion to the arts, education, health and the military, he has supported a long list of organizations and causes including the Toronto Symphony; Sunnybrook Health Sciences and Canada Company, a non-profit he founded to support the Canadian military.

Herbert Ho Ping Kong - Toronto

Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong is a pioneer in medical education. His book, "The Art of Medicine: Healing and the Limits of Technology," is a must-read for students around the world. He has been the go-to source of diagnostic expertise, with an uncanny ability to ferret out the underlying causes of illnesses that have mystified other experts. Known as a true "renaissance man", he walks with great humility, a calm and quiet demeanor and genuine care for everyone. The University Health Network named an educational centre - The HoPingKong Centre for Excellence in Education and Practice - to honour his lifetime contributions to medical education and exemplary legacy of diagnosing diseases.

Blake Hutcheson- Toronto

President and CEO of Toronto-based OMERS, Blake Hutcheson is known for his exceptional business acumen, leadership and philanthropy. He has played a large role in the creation of thousands of jobs across Ontario through the many investments that OMERS and its real estate arm, Oxford Properties have made. His leadership extends beyond the boardroom with a passion for giving back to many community groups and raising millions for those less fortunate.

Michael Latner - Toronto

Michael Latner has contributed significantly to Ontario's social and economic prosperity through business and philanthropy. As CEO of Shiplake Properties, one of the province's most successful family-owned companies, he made transformational investments in local business, innovation and job creation. His leadership of Dynacare Laboratories in the 1980s and his instrumental role in developing Fallsview Casino in the 1990s created thousands of jobs. His efforts have helped Ontario become a beacon of excellence in health care, medical science, education and the arts.

Bernard Leduc - Ottawa

As former President and CEO of Ottawa's Hôpital Montfort, Dr. Bernard Leduc transformed this French-language hospital into one of the country's finest. Dr. Leduc launched the Institut du Savoir Montfort, which became a leader in training Franco-Ontarian health professionals and he created the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub, providing innovative outpatient care. Since 2015, Montfort has been listed as one of the top 40 research hospitals in Canada, and in 2019, it entered Newsweek magazine's list of the world's top 1,000 hospitals.

Joy MacDermid - London

Dr. Joy MacDermid's research in the 1990s and subsequent global workshops brought patient-reported outcomes into the decision-making process for the first time. Her commitment to sharing knowledge with patients inspired a long-overdue paradigm shift. She is a founding member of the Canadian Institute of Public Safety Research and has attracted a new generation of surgeons and scientists, elevating the voices of women in fields where they had long been absent. Her dedication to putting the patient first has created a powerful legacy.

Dwayne Morgan - Ajax

When Dwayne Morgan discovered a love of writing in high school, the "spoken-word" genre didn't exist. As a Black teenager from Scarborough, few doors opened, and he launched "Up From The Roots Entertainment", producing opportunities for other racialized artists. He lobbied the League of Canadian Poets to include performance poets, produced North America's two largest spoken-word events and has performed globally. His words - and actions -- inspire.

Florence Ngenzebuhoro - Toronto

As the CEO of the Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto, Florence Ngenzebuhoro is helping tens of thousands of Francophone immigrants annually. She arrived in 1994 as a refugee from Burundi and had to navigate support services in a foreign language. This sparked a desire to help others and a fearless commitment to ensure all newcomers are treated with compassion and dignity. She has been recognized as one of Canada's most influential minority rights advocates whose efforts have helped Ontario become a more inclusive and welcoming place.

Hazelle Palmer - Toronto

Hazelle Palmer is a senior executive with more than 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector who has fought to advance minority rights throughout her career. Her vision of a more just society is enabling others to thrive. As the current President and CEO of Sherbourne Health, Hazelle dramatically expanded services for Toronto's underserved populations. As the former Managing Editor of Healthsharing Magazine in the 1990s, she championed stories tackling difficult issues. As the former Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Toronto and then the AIDS Committee of Toronto, she used her platform to improve social conditions.

Fred Possmayer - London

When Dr. Fred Possmayer began research in 1971 into Respiratory Distress Syndrome, it was a leading cause of neonatal morbidity. His laboratory's development of the Bovine Lung Extract Surfactant, or BLES, changed these dire outcomes. BLES is now a standard treatment around the world, saving thousands of premature newborns. This breakthrough treatment was recognized as one of the top five discoveries in Ontario along with insulin. Dr. Possmayer's gift of life to children the world over is incalculable.

Peter Simon - Niagara-on-the-Lake

Dr. Peter Simon has reshaped Ontario's musical education landscape one student at a time. Over his 33-year tenure as President of The Royal Conservatory of Music, he transformed it into one of the world's most respected music institutions. He created Learning Through the Arts, reaching hundreds of thousands of students in schools across Canada, along with seniors and Indigenous youth. Dr. Simon spearheaded the creation of Koerner Hall, acclaimed as one of the finest acoustic venues in the world.

Gary Slaight - North York

President and CEO of Slaight Communications, Gary Slaight continues to shape Canada's entertainment landscape by supporting Canadian artists. As CEO of Standard Broadcasting, founded by his late father, Allan Slaight, Gary transformed the company into a leading force. Committed to making a difference, he continues the family's philanthropy by supporting various causes, including healthcare, mental health, social services, at-risk youth, Toronto theatre and emerging Canadian artists.

George Trusler - Toronto

As Head of Cardiac Surgery at The Hospital for Sick Children, Dr. George Trusler introduced advances that changed the pediatric landscape. In 1972, he formulated an algorithm for controlling excess blood flow to the lungs of infants during heart failure, a technique that continues to save lives today. He developed the Trusler Operation, used by surgeons to preserve aortic valves in children. His game-changing discoveries helped keep Canada at the forefront of pediatric care.

Raquel Urtasun - Toronto

A global leader in autonomous vehicles, Dr. Raquel Urtasun is keeping Ontario at the forefront of technology and reshaping the future of transportation. In 2016, she co-founded the Vector Institute with a mission to drive excellence in Canada's creation and use of AI. In 2021 she launched Waabi, a company on its way to making self-driving vehicles a reality. This champion of home-grown talent is playing a critical role in leading the way in this transformative technology.

Bhavana Varma - Kingston

Bhavana Varma brought a new vision to solving complex social issues as President and CEO of United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington. To address homelessness and challenges facing youth, Bhavana broke down silos, connecting the right people who could effect change. That effort attracted significant new sources of revenue in support of critical human-service programs in the region. In her 24 years of stewardship, the organization has become one of Canada's top charitable groups, helping more people live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging.

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