Journalist and documentary filmmaker Mellissa Fung, in Toronto, on April 17, 2023.May Truong/The Globe and Mail
Journalists Mellissa Fung and Joyce Napier, Canada’s new ambassador to the Vatican, are among the latest recipients of the Order of Canada announced Thursday.
Other recipients of one of Canada’s highest honours, named by Governor-General Mary Simon, include rock star Avril Lavigne.
A statement from Ms. Simon’s office cited Ms. Lavigne’s music as well as her support for those with serious illnesses, disabilities and Lyme disease through the Avril Lavigne Foundation.
Ms. Fung, kidnapped in Kabul in 2008 during her coverage of the war in Afghanistan, has chronicled her experiences in her book Under an Afghan Sky: A Memoir of Captivity, and been an advocate for women and girls in war-torn countries.
In announcing Ms. Fung’s appointment, the Governor-General’s office said the journalist has given a voice to victims and called for greater international protection.
Ms. Napier, who began her career as a print journalist in Montreal in 1981 and left journalism in 2023 as parliamentary bureau chief for CTV National News, was named Canada’s ambassador to the Vatican last month.
The statement announcing the honour noted that Ms. Napier is renowned for her proficient bilingual reporting in both print and broadcast journalism.
Over all, Ms. Simon announced 83 new appointees to the order, which celebrates achievements and extraordinary contributions.
Appointees are to be invited to a ceremony to receive insignias reflective of the honours.
The appointees, a mix of companions, officers and members, include corporate leaders, artists, writers, scientists and others.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who has served as a psychology professor at the University of Montreal, and returned to her native Latvia to become president from 1999 to 2007, was named.
Tina Keeper, a Liberal MP from 2006 to 2008 for the Manitoba riding of Churchill also known for her role on the CBC TV series North of 60, is being honoured for championing bills on such issues as Jordan’s Principle, which ensures funding for First Nations children. Pamela Appelt, the first Black Canadian woman appointed to the Court of Canadian Citizenship, was also named.
Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz was cited for helping facilitate Canada’s international trade, promoting its economic well-being and sharing his “significant expertise” through his continuing work as a speaker, visiting scholar and author.
Monique Leroux, president and chief executive officer of Desjardins Group financial services co-operative, was named for her involvement in education, youth and arts initiatives, as was Sidney Hynes of Newfoundland and Labrador, who is the executive chair of shipping company Oceanex Inc.
Also honoured is Brandt Channing Louie, chair and CEO of London Drugs Ltd. and H.Y Louie, a family-owned grocery retailer.
Artists include Quebec singer-songwriter Daniel Lavoie, and Kent Nagano, who was a music director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, as well as visual artist Christi Belcourt from Alberta and Toronto poet bill bissett.
Companion
Monique Forget Leroux, Outremont, Que.
This is a promotion within the Order.
Officers
Yusuf Altintas, Vancouver
Pamela Geraldine Appelt, Oakville, Ont.
Martha Rachel Friendly, Toronto
Mellissa Veronica Fung, London
Chit Chan Gunn, Vancouver
This is a promotion within the Order.
Beverley Jean Johnston, Uxbridge, Ont.
Daniel Gérald Lavoie, Montreal
Lindsay Machan, Vancouver
Daphne Maurer, Toronto
Charles M. Morin, Quebec City
Kent George Nagano, Montreal and San Francisco
This is an honorary appointment.
Jack Cyril Pearpoint, Toronto
Stephen Shawn Poloz, Orleans, Ont.
Kenneth John Rockwood, Halifax
Frances Estelle Reed Simons, Winnipeg
Douglas Wade Stephan, Toronto
Jozef Straus, Ottawa
Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Riga
This is an honorary appointment.
Members
Joe Brock Average, Vancouver
Vickie Elaine Baracos, Edmonton
Christi Marlene Belcourt, Lac Ste. Anne, Alta.
David Gordon Ben, Toronto
Daniel Georges Bichet, Montreal
bill bissett, Toronto
John Allan Cairns, West Vancouver, B.C.
Mark Joseph Cameron, Hastings, Ont.
Pierre Chastenay, Shefford, Que.
Edward Herman Cole, Toronto
John Terry Copp, Elora, Ont.
Michael Creal, Toronto
Budhendranauth Doobay, Hamilton
Nima Gyaltsen Dorjee, Calgary
Jane Rose Dragon, Fort Smith, NWT
Marcelle Dubois, Montreal
Leonard John Edwards, Ottawa
Lee Edward Errett, Toronto
Brian Ross Evans, Nepean, Ontario
William Anthony Fox, Peterborough, Ont.
Janine Elizabeth Fuller, Vancouver
Rosemary Burns Ganley, Peterborough, Ont.
Arnie Gelbart, Montreal
Franklyn Griffiths, Toronto
Sylvia D. Hamilton, Grand Pre, N.S.
Madeleine D. Humer, Victoria
Jane Knott Hungerford, Vancouver
Sidney Joseph Hynes, Mount Pearl, N.L.
William Janzen, Ottawa
Tina Jones, Winnipeg
Christina Jean Keeper, Winnipeg
Judy M. Kent, Picton, Ont.
William James Gordon Kirby, Winnipeg
James Gregory Kyte, Ottawa
Patrick Joseph Lahey, Ottawa and Vero Beach, Fla.
Susan Elizabeth Lang, Toronto
Barry Paul Lapointe, Kelowna, B.C.
Myrna Eunilda Lashley, Montreal
Avril R. Lavigne, Malibu, Calif.
Pierre Legault, Montreal
Brandt Channing Louie, West Vancouver, B.C.
Bruce A. Lourie, Toronto
Zoe N. Lucas, Halifax
Mother Pierre Anne Rosaria Mandato, Montreal
Bruno Gottfried Marti, Vancouver
Theresa Helen Matthias, London, Ont.
James David Meekison, Toronto
Richard Kelly Miskokomon, Muncey, Ont.
Colleen Louise Murphy, Toronto
Joyce Napier, Ottawa
Javaid Abbas Naqvi, Edmonton
Robert Panet-Raymond, Montreal
E. Michael Perley, Colborne, Ont.
Dan Poenaru, Montreal
Linda Rabeneck, Toronto
Stephen James Randall, Calgary
Solomon Ratt, Regina
Jonathan Scott Rose, Toronto
Bibudhendra Sarkar, Toronto
Frances Marjorie Shaver, Vancouver
Donald George Simpson, Toronto
Marvin R. V. Storrow, Vancouver
Jack Edward Taunton, Delta, B.C.
Charles E. Weaselhead, Cardston, Alta.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Sidney Hynes' name.