Five people from Guelph, Wellesley and Stratford named to Order of Canada

Five people from Guelph, Wellesley and Stratford are being honoured as part of the latest crop of inductees to the Order of Canada.

According to the Governor General’s website the Order of Canada is given to people who make extraordinary contributions to the nation. The Order’s motto is ‘desiderantes meliorem patriam,’ which translates to ‘They desire a better country.’

Appointees are categorized into different levels. A ‘Companion’ is considered the highest honour, followed by ‘Officer’ and then ‘Member.’

The latest list of honourees was posted on the Governor General’s website on Wednesday.

Carlton Lloyd Gyles from Guelph has been named as an Order of Canda Officer for his contributions to veterinary microbiology. He is an internationally recognized E. coli expert and has published studies that have led to new vaccines, improved infection control and a safer food supply.

Louise A. MacCallum and Michael A. Barnstijn from Guelph were named as Order of Canada Members or their philanthropy work. According to a media release, the pair have given more than $80 million away through discreet donations to various causes. They are also the founders of the Musagetes Foundation for the Arts, an international organization that promotes art as tools for social transformation, and the rare Charitable Research Reserve, a community-based urban land trust and environmental research institute that protects over 1,200 acres of land at eight properties in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

Ruth Elsie Abernethy from Wellesley was also named as a Member of the Order of Canada for contributing to Canada’s cultural landscape. The release calls her an internationally renowned sculptor who has created iconic life-sized bronze pieces showcased around the world.

The fifth appointee is Stratford local Diane Patricia Helen Sims. Sims has been named as a Member of the Order of Canada. She is a writer and accessibility advocate. Her work includes An Ovarian Cancer Companion. She is also being recognized for her volunteer work with organizations dedicated to multiple sclerosis and ovarian cancer.

The Order of Canada was established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and acknowledges people from all sectors in Canada that have made a positive impact to the country.

The five local appointees were part of 88 Canadians recognized, including actor and philanthropist Ryan Reynolds.