CTV’s longtime political correspondent Craig Oliver has been named to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

“On behalf of everyone from CTV News, I’d like to congratulate Craig Oliver on this tremendous honour,” CTV News President Wendy Freeman said in a news release.

“Craig has done so much for the CTV News division and for so many Canadians outside of our news family. He has continually demonstrated excellence in his work, while serving as a mentor for young journalists and selflessly giving of his time to philanthropic causes…We at CTV News are thrilled to see Craig saluted for his lifetime of outstanding achievement and contributions to the country.”

The Order of Canada recognizes Canadians’ great achievements and service to the community and the country. More than 5,000 people have received the award since it was established in 1967.

Oliver has been named an Officer of the Order of Canada, which recognizes “a lifetime of achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large.”

In his 56 years as a journalist, Oliver, now 73, has travelled across the globe covering Canadian and international news.

For 15 years, Oliver hosted CTV’s popular Sunday political program, Question Period, where his reputation as one of Canada’s most respected journalists was cemented.

Oliver recently hosted his final Question Period show, but will continue to appear on the program and report from Parliament Hill for CTV News.

He has covered every federal election campaign since 1957 and reported on 10 Canadian prime ministers. After working for CBC as a radio reporter and executive producer, he got his first assignment with CTV in 1972.

He has received numerous awards for his work and published a book about his professional and personal experiences, Oliver's Twist: The Life and Times of an Unapologetic Newshound, in 2011.

Oliver, who is legally blind, has been supporting groups that help the visually impaired for years. He celebrated his 70th birthday by hosting a fundraiser for the Ottawa Eye Institute, which raised more than $100,000.

Among the 66 appointments to the Order of Canada this year are former Alberta premier Ralph Klein, epidemiologist and director of the Centre for Global Health Research Prabhat Jha and former NHL coach Pat Quinn.

The recipients will be honoured at a ceremony in Ottawa.