Ontario Celebrates Order of Ontario Appointees
Press Release
November 06, 2023
26 Ontarians receive the province’s highest honour for their outstanding achievements
TORONTO — The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced 26 new appointments to the Order of Ontario for 2022. The incoming Lieutenant Governor, Edith Dumont, will bestow the province’s highest honour to the new appointees in a ceremony taking place on November 27, 2023.
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.
“As Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, I am proud to recognize the Order’s 2022 appointees. These remarkable Ontarians demonstrate outstanding merit and excellence in many diverse disciplines, including the arts, science, education, sports, and human rights,” said Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell. “In reflecting the best of Ontario, they inspire the best in ourselves. On behalf of a grateful province, I offer my warmest congratulations.”
The 2022 appointees to the Order of Ontario are:
- Dyane Adam, CM
- Cindy Adams
- Jordan Bitove
- Vanessa Burkoski*
- Michael Cheng
- Dianne Cunningham
- Andre De Grasse
- Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann, CM
- David Jenkins, OC
- Christina Jennings, CM
- Mohamed Lachemi
- Eric Lindros
- Arthur Lockhart
- Lorin MacDonald
- Christine Nesbitt
- Beverley Orser
- Pauline Shirt
- Frank Silver
- John P. Smol, OC
- David Tannenbaum
- Biagio Vinci
- Ajay Virmani
- Padraig Warde
- MaryLynn West-Moynes
- Marva Wisdom
- Elizabeth Witmer
* This appointee was invested in a private ceremony before passing away in August 2023.
The following 2020 appointee will also be invested at this ceremony:
- Hon. Rosemary Moodie
“On behalf of a grateful province, congratulations to the 2022 appointees of the Order of Ontario,” said Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “The Order of Ontario honours and celebrates impressive leaders and trailblazers who represent the best of our great province from a variety of sectors. Their outstanding dedication, achievements and lifetime of service have made a difference in their communities and in building a stronger Ontario.”
Quick Facts
- People from all walks of life across Ontario are welcome to nominate a deserving individual for the 2024 Order of Ontario. The nomination deadline is March 31, 2024. Learn more about how to nominate someone here.
- 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 members of the public.
- 849 people have been appointed to the Order of Ontario since it was established in 1986.
- Members are invested with the Order’s insignia. 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.
Additional Resources
Media Contacts
Joe Segal
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
joe.segal@ontario.ca
Mark Pelayo
Minister’s Office
mark.pelayo@ontario.ca
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