8 Maritimers appointed to the Order of Canada

Order of Canada medals are seen on a table before being presented during a ceremony at Rideau Hall Friday November 22, 2013 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announced 83 appointments to the Order of Canada earlier this week and eight Maritimers are on the list.

New Brunswick

Two Universite de Moncton faculty were named to the order.

Guitar and lute professor Michel Cardin, who has been with the music department since 1992, received the honour, as well as Stephen White, a genealogist and former researcher at the Anselme-Chiasson Centre for Acadian studies.

“The Université de Moncton is extremely proud to see two members of its community honored with one of Canada’s highest civilian distinctions. Mr. Cardin and Mr. White continue to enhance the university’s influence, both here and across the country,” says Dr. Denis Prud’homme, the university’s president and vice-chancellor.

Nova Scotia

Evolutionary and molecular biologist Ford Doolittle has been named a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Dalhousie University, where Doolittle was previously a professor, says he becomes only the seventh Nova Scotian ever to be awarded the status of Companion.

“It is very nice to join the Order of Canada and be recognized in this particularly Canadian way,” says Doolittle, who was born and raised in the United States. “When I first joined the Faculty of Medicine, more than a half-century ago, it felt like coming home. It feels that way even more so now.”

Elizabeth Rollins Epperly of Kentville – the first woman to serve as president of the University of Prince Edward Island – was made a member of the Order of Canada for her contributions elevating the works of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables.

“After my initial surprise, I have felt only joy at the honour of being included in the Order of Canada family,” Epperly says. “I love anything that reflects well on my alma mater.”

Four other Nova Scotians have also been named members of the Order of Canada:

• Multidisciplinary artist Ronald Bourgeois of Halifax
• Former Chief Justice J. Michael MacDonald of Halifax
• George Rodger of Halifax for his work with the YMCA
• Sharon Ross of Halifax for her social advocacy and inclusion work

The inductees will be invested in ceremonies to be scheduled at a later date.

With files from The Canadian Press and CTVNews.ca