The Order of Canada members received their honours May 12, including several Manitobans. 

This is the 50th anniversary of the Order of Canada which was created in 1967 as one of the country's highest honours bestowed upon civilians. It recognises significant achievements and contributions to the community and nation. Over the course of the last 50 years, nearly 7,000 people have been invested into the Order. The motto states "Desiderantes meliorem patriam" which means "they desire a better country." 

The Winnipeggers who were invested into the Order include:

  • Leonard A. Bateman, an electrical engineer who has been a leader in the renewable energy sector and serves as CEO of Manitoba Hydro
  • John Foerster, a hematologist and oncologist who has helped develop health science that has benefited the country. He played a key role in making St. Boniface Hospital a place of teaching and medical research now widely recognized.
  • Gregory Hanson is the former CEO of Wawanesa Mutual known for his leadership in business. He has supported a variety of causes over the years and now chairs an early childhood development initiative to help Winnipeg's most vulnerable children.

12 Manitobans have also now been selected to receive the Order of Manitoba, which will be awarded in July.

These include: 

  • David Angus, former president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce who played a key role in the creation of Winnipeg’s World Trade Centre. He also has helped the work of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council.
  • Marlene Bertrand has been a specialist in family violence intervention and prevention for over 30 years. She has helped shape public policy and program responses to family violence. Bertrand also founded the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Domestic Violence.
  • Doreen Brownstone, an actor for over 60 years. At the age of 94, she is one of the oldest working professional stage actors in Canada.
  • Selwyn Burrows has spent a lifetime dedicated to issues of social justice and helping those in need. He is the chair of Winnipeg’s Point Douglas Residents Committee and co-coordinator of the Point Powerline, which work to improve the inner-city neighbourhood.
  • Philipp R. Ens is a founding partner of Triple E. Canada Ltd. based in Winkler, Man. He is known as a community builder, leader, mentor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was the president of the former P.W. Enns Family Foundation, a charity which has supported such projects as the Heritage Centre as well as a hospital in Taiwan. 
  • Anne Lindsey has dedicated her life’s work to environmental sustainability and social justice. Under her 23-year leadership at the Manitoba Eco-Network, she mentored many young activists.
  • Lisa Meeches is one of Canada’s most highly-respected TV and film producers. An advocate for youth, she has served on several local and national boards.
  • Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan has offered contributions to medicine and public and community service. Born in the Philippines, he arrived in Winnipeg in 1968. After practising and doing research as a lung specialist and professor of pediatrics, he became a member of Parliament, his service ending in 2004. He currently serves on the Advisory Council of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg.
  • Dr. Phillip James Peebles, an award-winning physicist, is one of the world’s leading theoretical cosmologists. Born and raised in Winnipeg and a graduate of the U of M, he has contributed more than any other living scientist to the understanding of the origin of the large-scale structure in the universe. He has also provided evidence of the existence of large quantities of dark matter and continues to work on the origin of galaxies.
  • Robert Picken, well known in the sports media industry, he has demonstrated excellence as a broadcaster and journalist for more than 60 years. He has covered the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Canadian Football League, every Canadian major golf championship and the Masters major golf championship in Georgia.
  • Paul Robson has served his community and country for more than 50 years in various capacities. A former educator and Winnipeg Blue Bomber, he went on to become general manager of the Winnipeg Football Club. Over the years he has served as a publisher, CEO, and chair of many different boards.
  • Beverly Suek is the founder of Women’s Housing Initiative Manitoba, an alternative housing for older women. She has been a member of Grands ‘N’ More, which raises funds for grandmothers in Africa. She also began the development of Winnipeg’s first birthing centre and was a co-founder of the Manitoba Women’s Enterprise Centre, Women's Music and Cultural Festival, Women’s Employment Counselling Centre and the SDB Housing Co-operative. Suek also started Sunshine House.