The 2020 Appointees to the Order of Ontario

News.Ontario.ca
Jan. 4, 2021

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced 25 new appointments to the 2020 Order of Ontario, the province's highest honour. 

2020 Appointees

Daniel Allen -- LaSalle

A devoted public servant, tenacious community advocate, and dedicated fundraiser, Daniel Allen is a celebrated champion of diversity. He has worked in all three levels of government. In these roles and as a consultant he has led the way for meaningful change initiatives.

Joseph Raymond Buncic -- Toronto

Dr. Joseph Raymond Buncic's vision has overseen the transformation of the pediatric ophthalmology department at SickKids into an internationally distinguished clinic while he and his team have set standards for diagnosis and treatment worldwide. He has dedicated his 50-year career to educating medical students and fellows from around the world.

Michael DeGasperis -- Vaughan

A well-respected philanthropist, business and community leader, Michael DeGasperis celebrates over 25 years as one of Ontario's premier Developers and Home Builders. A visionary for improved access to health care, his leadership has raised millions of dollars for numerous health institutions across the province. From his concept, to brokering approvals and land purchase on behalf of the City of Vaughan, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is in final stages of construction.

Raymond Desjardins -- Ottawa

Renowned atmospheric scientist at the Central Experimental Farm, Raymond Desjardins worked with researchers, producers and consumers for over 55 years, to help minimize the impact of the agricultural sector on the environment. He has been a long-standing contributor to the Commission of Agricultural Meteorology of the World Meteorological Organization and to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Ernest Eves -- Caledon

Ernest Eves, or Ernie to his constituents, was Ontario's 23rd premier. Elected as MPP six times in Parry Sound and twice in Caledon, he served the government in key posts, including Minister of Finance. His volunteerism includes supporting students with learning disabilities through the Justin Eves Foundation, named in honour of his late son and serving on the board of Special Olympics Canada.

Hershell Ezrin -- Toronto

Hershell Ezrin has had a remarkable career spanning politics, corporate leadership and community advocacy. Having advised governments, served as Canadian Consul in several key U.S. cities, and devoted to his Canadian-Jewish community, he has worked with great care and perseverance for a civil society by identifying shared values and bridging divides.

Carlo Fidani -- Toronto

Carlo Fidani, a prominent figure in Ontario's real estate community, believes in the transformative power of philanthropy. Carlo directs his giving to health-related causes making landmark and often anonymous donations that have had significant impact on the Province's leading science and medical facilities. Areas such as access to radiation treatment, education of doctors and breakthroughs in cancer treatments have benefited from his generosity.

Karen Goldenberg -- Toronto

Karen Goldenberg is a champion of the underprivileged and disadvantaged. Educated as a physical and occupational therapist, her professional pursuits have led to innovations to in-home rehabilitation programs while her volunteerism has improved autism education, addiction research, and career and employment services. Her work as special advisor to the Ontario Minister of Health ultimately led to Bill 173, the Long-Term Care Act.

Michael D. Harris -- Toronto

Michael D. Harris, known to the province as Mike Harris, served as Ontario's 22nd premier, from 1995 to 2002, and is noted for his "Common Sense Revolution," which set out to reduce taxes, create jobs, and boost recovery from an economic recession. He was Nipissing's most longstanding MPP, serving from 1981 to 2002, and continues to serve his community as a major fundraiser for education and health.

Ellis Jacob -- Toronto

As a passionate promoter of Canadian film and CEO of Cineplex Entertainment, Ellis Jacob has innovated Canada's film exhibition business and continues to push the entertainment sector forward as a major supporter of accessibility and employer of individuals with disabilities. He has also built cinemas in several Ontario hospitals for patients to enjoy during their treatment. Ellis is focused on philanthropy to help Ontarians achieve a better life.

Jing Jiang -- London

An international expert on instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants, Dr. Jing Jiang's innovative research work has contributed to nuclear industries in Ontario and internationally. As a research chair professor at Western University, he has also trained the next generation of Ontario's leaders in safe utilization of nuclear energy for power generation.

Shana Kelley -- Toronto

Dr. Shana Kelley is founder and director of the University of Toronto's PRiME initiative to advance drug discovery and diagnostics for diseases, including COVID-19. With 37 patents to her name, her research has led to new technologies that are transforming medicine, including a medical device that can detect major illness within 20 minutes.

Andre Lapierre -- Ottawa

Professor of linguistics and Canadian Studies, Dr. Andre Lapierre is an inspirational supporter of Franco-Ontarians and other linguistically marginalized cultures. His book provided the province's first comprehensive history of French place names. His expertise on the bilingual treatment of geographical names is an important component of Ontario's French Language Services Act.

Dale Lastman -- Toronto

Recognized nationally as a pre-eminent legal practitioner, Dale Lastman is also known for his philanthropy and advocacy on behalf of diversity in the community. In 2017, Dale was the recipient of the Order of Canada. He sits on the board of several sports franchises and serves as an Alternate Governor of the NHL and NBA and Governor of the CFL.

Andre M. Levesque -- Ottawa

Dr. Andre Levesque served part-time as a citizen soldier with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves for 35 years, entering as a Private and retiring at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Hailed as a pioneer of memorialogy, the study of memorials and commemoration, he continues to preserve the memories of veterans and their sacrifices. He is a former visiting scholar with the Royal Military College of Canada.

Peter Liu -- Ottawa

A cardiologist at Toronto General and now Ottawa Heart Institute, Dr. Peter Liu has raised the international profile of Canadian cardiovascular research through his leadership at top national institutions. He was a key champion for the first heart failure practice guidelines in Canada and internationally and has helped to set national public health policy standards in cardiovascular health.

Hazel McCallion -- Mississauga

The longest-serving mayor in the history of the City of Mississauga, Hazel McCallion served as the fifth mayor from 1978 to 2014. She is a fearless trailblazer and ceiling-breaker for women in hockey, women in politics, political leaders and seniors. Known lovingly as "Hurricane Hazel," she is now the first Chancellor of Sheridan College.

Arden McGregor -- Huntsville

Arden McGregor is a compassionate humanitarian and a recognized leader in the brain injury community. She is known for her career in community-based rehabilitation as well as her extensive efforts in injury prevention, awareness and advocacy. She is dedicated to helping those with serious injuries recover and live better lives.

Janet McKelvy -- Toronto

Since the 2004 tsunami, Janet McKelvey has led volunteer trips to Sri Lanka and has raised more than $1M for education and building projects there. As executive director of Canadian Tire's Foundation from 1998-2003, she implemented a new philanthropic approach for the corporation. In 1996, Janet co-founded the Toronto Public Library Foundation.

George McLean -- Bognor

George McLean is a world-renowned artist who has dedicated his professional life to depicting and chronicling Ontario's woodlands and natural environment. A leader in the arts and environmental communities, he is also a philanthropist, regularly donating original works to raise money for conservation programs, charitable organizations and art galleries.

Hon. Rosemary Moodie -- Toronto

A Canadian senator and distinguished neonatologist and pediatrician, the Hon. Rosemary Moodie's career steered social change and expanded health care access for society's vulnerable. She has provided leadership to many health organizations and projects, including the development of Canada's largest affordable housing project for low-income women.

Hon. Robert. W. Runciman -- Brockville

The Hon. Robert Runciman, "Bob" to his constituents, has been the consummate Canadian public servant for 45 years at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. His accomplishments include leading the revitalization of Brockville's downtown area, initiating a treatment centre for inmates with mental illness, and supporting Ontario through the SARS crisis. Today, he remains a stalwart community volunteer.

Marilyn Sonley -- Toronto

A pioneering pediatric oncologist for more than 30 years, Dr. Marilyn Sonley led the creation of childhood cancer divisions at Princess Margaret Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children, helping them become world-renowned centres of excellence. She is known as an extraordinary clinician to the children she cared for and an incredible mentor to many leading physicians.

Ahmad Reza Tabrizi -- Toronto

Inspirational entrepreneur Ahmad Reza Tabrizi arrived in Canada in 1984 and is known for his philanthropy both in Canada and his home country of Iran. He is the founder and Chair of the Parya Trillium Foundation, a federally registered charity since 2002 which established the first Iranian community centre in the World. He co-founded Persian Circle, a non-profit cultural organization which publishes books banned in Iran.

Hon. Karen Weiler -- Toronto

Karen Weiler is recognized for her transformative work respecting the Family Law Reform Act while counsel for the Attorney General. Her distinguished judicial career spanned 37 years, including 25 on the Court of Appeal during which she helped disabled and unrepresented litigants gain equal access to justice. Presently, she is a Director of Covenant House Toronto and volunteers with Innocence Canada.