Manitoba’s highest honour 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. Established by the Honourable Peter M. Liba in 1999.
Outstanding Manitobans Chosen to Receive the Order of Manitoba
Twelve Manitobans whose contributions encompass a broad range of endeavours and accomplishments will soon receive the Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour. The formal investiture ceremony is scheduled to be held on Thursday, July 20, 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.
“It is both gratifying and humbling to reflect on the exceptional accomplishments of the 12 outstanding men and women being invested into the Order of Manitoba this year, “ said Lt.–Gov. Neville. “They are leaders, visionaries and mentors, whose efforts have enriched lives across the province, the country and around the world. Their efforts inspire commitment to community that makes Manitoba, and Manitobans, so special.”
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 O.M. 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 2023 ceremony:
Mr. Jamie Brown
Jamie Brown has served as the CEO and executive producer of Frantic Films since 2000. In these roles, he has helped build one of Manitoba and Canada’s most successful film and television companies. Winning awards in Canada and abroad for his innovation, creativity and business leadership, he is a tireless community volunteer and an advocate of Manitoba’s creative sector.
Mr. David (Ace) Burpee
From Cooks Creek, Manitoba, David “Ace” Burpee is the widely recognizable host of The Ace Burpee Show on 103.1 Virgin Radio. A tireless volunteer and mental health advocate, he has championed countless charitable causes and people across the province, using his platform to continuously raise awareness, support and funds for worthy causes.
Mr. John Einarson
A former award-winning high school history teacher, John Einarson is a widely respected broadcaster and rock music historian. He is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed music biographies and contributed to A&E’s Neil Young Biography episode and CBC’s The Life & Times of Randy Bachman.
Mr. Charles Huband
Charles Huband is an accomplished lawyer, judge, political leader and community activist, having lent his time and talents to important causes in the community for over 60 years. He was instrumental in the creation of Prairie Theatre Exchange over 50 years ago and was the cofounder of the Westminster Housing Society.
The Honourable Janis Johnson, C.M.
Janis Johnson served in the Canadian Senate for over 25 years, making her longest serving Manitoba senator. An advocate for both the cultural sector and women’s health and education, she contributed to the founding of the Mature Women’s Health Clinic (now the Women’s Health Centre) and founded the Gimli Film Festival. She chairs the Valuing the Icelandic Presence Committee at the University of Manitoba and assisted in the development of Qaumajuq.
Ms. Terumi Kuwada
A retired social worker and dedicated community volunteer, Terumi Kuwada has been a strong advocate in the areas of human rights and social justice for more than 35 years. Her long-standing commitment to human rights and promoting respect and understanding between ethnic groups is illustrated through her work with many organizations including United Way Winnipeg and the National Association of Japanese Canadians.
Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum
One of Canada’s most prominent scientific leaders, Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum’s pioneering research on cardiac cell death has transformed cardiovascular care worldwide. He has earned an international reputation for research excellence and is best known for his work in understanding why the cells of the heart die after a heart attack and in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Dr. Gerry Price
An accomplished business executive and philanthropist, Gerry Price is chair and CEO of Price Industries Limited, one of the province’s largest private employers. Dr. Price and his family support charities and capital campaigns in Manitoba across many areas including children and families, youth mentorships, education and scholarships, health care and other community-led initiatives.
Ms. Alvina Rundle
A community advocate for Lake St. Martin and beyond, Alvina Rundle is dedicated to helping Indigenous people involved in the justice system. She was instrumental in establishing courts in remote Indigenous communities and recruiting court Elders to serve, while also providing language interpretation services and sentencing assistance to respective case judges.
Dr. Richard Smith
Dr. Richard Smith is a Manitoba family physician who has dedicated most of his 52-year professional career to saving lives and advocating for those impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Manitoba. He is a leader in the provision of clinical excellence to people often ostracized for their sexual orientation or lifestyle, and established the Village Clinic, which eventually became the Nine Circles Community Health Centre.
Ms. Elaine Stevenson
For more than 30 years, Elaine Stevenson has been a dedicated, effective advocate for children, youth and adults with eating disorders. Inspired by her own personal tragedy of losing her daughter to an eating disorder, she co-founded the Alyssa Stevenson Eating Disorder Memorial Trust, with a mission to bring about essential change in the care and treatment of eating disorders in Manitoba and across Canada.
Mr. Amarjeet Warraich
Amarjeet Warraich is a community leader and advocate, particularly in the provision of support to new Indo-Canadian citizens. During his tenure as commissioner of Manitoba’s Human Rights Commission, he oversaw a period of landmark new initiatives in the province including the proclamation of the Manitoba Human Rights Code in 1988, and measures respecting the rights of women, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and the LGBT community.
The Order of Manitoba Advisory Council relies upon nominations from the public. To nominate a deserving Manitoban for the 2024 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
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
