Manitoba Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba

The Honourable Anita R. Neville, P.C., O.M.

Order of Manitoba

Manitoba’s highest honour recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field, thereby enriching the social, cultural or economic well being of Manitoba and its residents. Established by the Honourable Peter M. Liba in 1999.

Outstanding Manitobans Chosen to Receive the 2024 Order of Manitoba

Twelve Manitobans whose contributions encompass a broad range of endeavours and accomplishments have received the Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour. The formal investiture ceremony was held on Thursday, July 25, at the Legislative Building.

The Order of Manitoba was established in 1999 to honour Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievement, thereby enriching the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents.

“The accomplishments of the women and men who will receive the 2024 Order of Manitoba exemplifies their commitment to the community at the local, national and international levels,” said Lt.-Gov. Anita R. Neville, chancellor of the order, who will preside over the ceremony. “The impact of their leadership has made a unique mark on this province and its people with achievements that both impress and inspire.”

Appointments to the order are made by the chancellor based on the recommendations of an advisory council. Order of Manitoba members are entitled to use the initials OM after their names for life. The list of all members of the Order of Manitoba is on permanent display in the Legislative Building.

The following Manitobans will be invested at the 2024 ceremony:

 

Elder Mae Louise Campbell

A Métis/Saulteaux woman, and one of eight children who grew up in the Métis community of Kississing Lake, Man., Elder Campbell’s work is centred on restoring and protecting Indigenous spiritual values and principles. For 45 years she has worked with Indigenous women and two-spirit peoples, and today, at the age of 90, she shares her knowledge around traditional women’s healing practices. Elder Campbell was also a member of Canada’s National Task Force on Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada.

 

The Honourable Murray Sinclair (Mizana Gheezik), CC

The Honourable Murray Sinclair is a former member of the Canadian Senate and a First Nations lawyer who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada from 2009 to 2015. He was the first Indigenous judge appointed in Manitoba, serving from 1988 to 2016 and served in the Senate of Canada from 2016 to 2021.

 

Myrna Driedger

A former registered nurse, leader and advocate for missing and exploited children, the founder of the Nellie McClung Foundation, a member of the Manitoba legislative assembly for 25 years and a two-term Speaker, Myrna Driedger was recognized with the 2023 Commonwealth Parliamentarian Lifetime Achievement Award for her unwavering dedication to making our province a better place.

 

Dr. Brent Roussin

Manitoba’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin is a physician, law school graduate, and familiar face to Manitobans as the province’s top public health authority and spokesperson during daily COVID-19 pandemic news conferences. A specialist in public health and preventive medicine, Dr. Roussin also brings an understanding of administrative law that was particularly helpful during the province’s COVID-19 response.

 

Dr. Marcia Anderson

A nationally renowned physician and an influential academic leader, Dr. Marcia Anderson, who is Cree-Anishinaabe, served as the public health lead for Manitoba’s First Nations COVID-19 pandemic response team. She has been credited with mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in First Nations communities throughout Manitoba through collaborative leadership, clinical excellence, and strong relationships.

 

David Johnston

A successful, community-minded business executive, David Johnston founded Johnston Group, a benefit plan company that also funds multiple special projects supporting the work of well over 100 community organizations. With his wife Diane and children, he also developed the Johnston Family Foundation to extend their giving to a variety of worthy causes including anti-poverty efforts, addiction and recovery, palliative care, sports and community development.

 

Ronald Paley

Ron Paley toured internationally playing electric bass with the big bands of Buddy Rich and Woody Herman, recording multiple albums, including a song on The Main Event with Frank Sinatra. Returning to his roots in Winnipeg, he formed the Ron Paley Big Band in 1976, rising to prominence as a composer, arranger and leader. He received the BreakOut West Western Canadian Music Awards’ Heritage Award for significant contributions to the music industry.

 

Robert (Bob) Williams

Bob Williams is a supporter of organizations focused on the arts, nature conservancy and the armed forces. Over the last decade, he has donated many millions of dollars and his time to such organizations as the Winnipeg Art Gallery/Qaumajuq, the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada and FortWhyte Alive. He serves as an honorary colonel with the Fort Garry Horse Regiment, promoting the welfare and support of veterans, serving soldiers and their families.

 

Chad Swayze

A professional firefighter and community fundraiser, Chad Swayze was instrumental in Winnipeg successfully hosting the 2023 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG). He has represented Canada in the WPFG nine times, winning multiple medals. Also a member of the LGBTQ community, he was successful in including a fire truck in the 2017 Winnipeg Pride Parade for the first time, helping others to be comfortable being who they are.

 

Michel D. Lagacé

For more than 40 years, serving as chair of the boards of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Arts Stabilization Manitoba and Société historique de Saint-Boniface (SHSB), Michel Lagacé has worked to advance the provincial arts, culture and heritage sectors. Providing significant leadership in the francophone community, he led the management of the SHSB archives building, negotiating its recognition as the francophone equivalent of the Archives of Manitoba.

 

James Cohen

James Cohen is a Winnipeg-based executive, musician, philanthropist and supporter of many cultural organizations in Manitoba. He has served as president of real estate company Gendis Inc. and chaired Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Manitoba Museum and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra development committee. He founded the Prairie Roots Rockers, a group which reached #32 nationally with its song So Long Sweet Deception. He and his wife Linda have also made donations to a wide variety of local charities.

 

Connie Walker

Throughout her career, Connie Walker has been a passionate community builder dedicated to Winnipeggers. She is a tireless champion of an inclusive and thriving city where no one is left behind. As president and CEO of United Way, she inspired countless volunteers, donors and partners to support front-line services, help youth achieve their potential and assist families to move out of poverty, while improving the health of people and their neighbourhoods.

 

The Order of Manitoba Advisory Council relies upon nominations from the public. To nominate a deserving Manitoban for the 2025 Order of Manitoba, visit www.manitobalg.ca.

 

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Contact:

Bradley Robertson

Chief of Protocol and Secretary to the Order of Manitoba Advisory Council

204-945-3939

Order of Manitoba FAQ

  • What is the Order of Manitoba?
    Established in 1999, the Order is the highest honour in the Province of Manitoba. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour, benefiting in an outstanding manner the social, cultural or economic well-being of Manitoba and its residents.
  • Who is Eligible for the Order?
    Any Canadian citizen who is a current citizen of the province, or was a long-time resident of Manitoba, can be nominated for membership in the Order, except Members of Parliament, Senators, Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and Judges of any court while they are in office. Posthumous nominations are not accepted. Only individuals may be nominated; not couples, groups or organizations.
  • Who Can be Considered for the Order?
    If you know someone who has demonstrated excellence and achievement, and has made a mark on our province and its people, you should consider nominating him or her for the Order of Manitoba. Examples of fields of endeavour recognized by this honour include agriculture, business and industry, volunteer service, education and research, the literary, visual and performing arts, occupational and professional achievement, public and community service. All nominations come from the public, so we rely on citizens like you to submit names of deserving recipients. It’s a special way of honouring individuals you respect and admire for their contributions to Manitoba and its residents.
  • How Can I Nominate Someone?
    Click here to fill out the nomination form. Nominations stand for two years, after which individuals can be re-nominated as many times as desired. You may also ask up to three (3) other citizens to send in letters supporting your nomination. However, only one nomination form is required for each nominee. Note: The Council may contact nominators and supporters to clarify information provided, but will not otherwise contact them regarding the status of their nomination unless their candidate is selected.
  • How Do I Write a Compelling Nomination?
    Used with permission from the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat In order for your nomination to stand out against the many others we receive, your nomination should describe what is outstanding about your nominee’s achievements and show memorably and persuasively how and where they have made a difference. To achieve this, it is important to use specific and concrete examples to illustrate how your nominee meets each of the eligibility and award criteria. Provide examples of how your nominee has demonstrated outstanding character and is a deserving candidate for the honour or award. A compelling nomination should also describe as vividly and precisely as possible the difference your nominee’s contribution has made and show why it has been important. An ineffective nomination usually includes an extended CV or resume, list of other appointments or awards, educational achievements, and/or a description of their professional responsibilities. Remember that longer doesn’t necessarily mean better. When presenting your nominee, keep your explanations clear and to the point while ensuring there is enough information for the selection panel to make their decision. The testimonial letters should be written by individuals who know the nominee well enough to be able to talk about the impact of their achievement from first-hand experience, be current and written specifically for the honour or award you are nominating for, and provide various examples from a range of views and perspectives. The testimonial letters should not simply state that the authors support the nomination – they need to provide more information about the nominee and their achievement. It is often perceived that a testimonial letter written by an influential or high-profile individual will automatically give it more weight; however this is not the case if the letter does not specifically address the nominee’s merits.
  • How are the Recipients Chosen?
    An independent Advisory Council evaluates all nominations and recommends candidates to the Chancellor for membership in the Order. The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba serves as the Chancellor of the Order. The Chancellor invests those individuals whose names are recommended by the Council. The number of appointments recommended for membership in the Order each year is limited, and not everyone nominated will be recommended.
  • Who Serves on the Order of Manitoba Advisory Council?
    The Order of Manitoba Advisory Council includes the Chief Justice of Manitoba and the Clerk of the Executive Council, as well as the presidents of Manitoba’s universities and Red River College each serving on a rotational two-year basis. The Council also includes not more than six members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, each for a term of three years.
  • What do Order of Manitoba Members Receive?
    Appointments to the Order of Manitoba are announced each year by the Lieutenant Governor, as Chancellor, on the date that The Manitoba Act was passed by Parliament (May 12, 1870). A formal installation ceremony is held on or about the date that Manitoba entered Confederation (July 15, 1870). The Chancellor presents each member of the Order of Manitoba with an attractive medal in the form of a stylized crocus, the provincial floral emblem, bearing the shield of Manitoba’s coat of arms surmounted by the Crown. They also receive a lapel pin and a certificate. Members of the Order are entitled to use the initials “O.M.” after their names. A special plaque honouring all those who receive the Order of Manitoba is located on the second floor of the Manitoba Legislative Building.
  • When Do I Send in the Nomination Form?
    Submission of nominations is accepted and encouraged year-round; the deadline is December 31.  Nominations received after this date will be held over for consideration the following year. Inquiries regarding the Order of Manitoba can be directed to the Secretary of the Advisory Council at (204) 945-5239.