So Who Else Makes the Order of Canada?
Obviously, Dr. Morgentaler’s appointment is the big headline-making appointment, but this news release from the Governor-General’s offices does list 74 other appointments. I’m sure if you look hard enough, you’ll find a few that would make your head nod — or shake in just as much indignation.
For example, remember Kim Campbell? Y’know, first female prime minister, even if it was only for a few microseconds? She becomes a Companion to the Order, which makes the Tories look good. John Major, the Supreme Court justice, becomes a Companion.
Randy Bachman, of Bachman-Turner-Overdrive (you know, “Takin’ Care of Business,” or the Office Depot jingle) gets made an Officer. So does Buzz Hargrove of the Canadian Auto Workers, Peter Mansbridge of CBC News, and prominent Liberal Frank “Now You Know Why I Didn’t Want the Job of Leader” McKenna.
As for other new Members besides Dr. Morgentaler, there’s the former mayor of Vancouver, Philip Owen; Senator Brenda Robertson; and publisher Judith Mappin. Not to mention others who may have made a name for themselves in their respective fields; I strongly suggest that you read the press release to find out who they are and what they’re being honoured for.
And after you’ve done that, you should ask yourself this: does Dr. Morgentaler’s appointment, in any way, cheapen or otherwise diminish their accomplishment and recognition?
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July 1st, 2008 at 21:46
Gees, I never see Don Cherry’s name on the list for all the work he does for the NHL and the money he brings into the CBC or for the great work he does promoting organ donation. Nor do I see Lowell Green’s name on the list for all the work has done making him the #1 talk show host in Canada for what – some 25 years – and all teh great charity work he has done for the city of Ottawa.
Being politically incorrect is a great deterrent if you really want an honour.
July 1st, 2008 at 22:06
That’s what they’re saying now anyway. That anyone who doesn’t turn in their Order of Canada shows tacit approval for abortion. The extremism in this debate is most unsettling. Now Wayne Gretzky is cheapened by the company of the Order? Nonsense.
July 1st, 2008 at 22:21
My old Dean of Engineering from UBC was on that list. Axel Meisen. I find that mildly interesting.
July 1st, 2008 at 23:14
RE:”does Dr. Morgentaler’s appointment, in any way, cheapen or otherwise diminish their accomplishment and recognition?” — Yes, I feel that it does. The reason it does is because in giving Morgentaler this award, the award itself has become a vehicle for political posturing and manipulation. The office of the GG has dismissed the views on abortion of close to half of Canadians and many (including myself) will be angered by this gesture. How can anyone consider this an honour? It is tawdry manipulation and very divisive. I have lost respect for the office of the GG and also for this award. Many others must feel as I do. Perhaps my feelings on this are of no consequence, but when enough people feel alienated, you lose your county. Maybe that’s was the point.
July 1st, 2008 at 23:19
The entire Order has been reduced to nothing but a “thanks for coming out” piece of ribbon. They give it out to a dozen or so people every couple of weeks it seems. They have started scraping the bottom of the barrel and that is why we have murders, failed PMs and Liberal hacks making it to the top of the list. I hear Paul Benardo is on the list for next time. It used to mean something but now is is but a meaningless joke.
July 1st, 2008 at 23:29
More cheap politics. They want to get abortion back in the news to try to make the toriies look bad.
The best argument against those who say they support the abortion laws in Canada is to ask them what the laws are.
July 2nd, 2008 at 01:06
Morgentaler’s appointment cheapens what the order of Canada *should* stand for. His appointment was, by special order, not confirmed unanimously. Those who made the appointment were certainly aware that his nomination and eventual appointment would be be both controversial and politically divisive, not to mention a polarizing factor in an as-yet-unresolved debate. It was a political move, plain and simple, and has resulted in a severe loss of credibility for the appointment process and the order itself. I have certainly lost respect for the order as a result of this.
I sincerely hope those who truly deserve this order for their outstanding contributions make great ceremony of returning their medals. I certainly would.
July 2nd, 2008 at 05:35
Past PMs are automatically given the Order.
July 2nd, 2008 at 05:59
[...] I am not a recipient of the Order of Canada but I would toss mine out if I was. [Since the government technically owns the medal, I would have to give it back — maybe showing up at this years ceremony and throwing it at the feet of the Governor General would suffice.] I would certainly reject it if it was being conferred to be alongside Dr. Morgentaler this year. Does Dr. Morgentaler cheapen the award? No, he just clarifies the inherent cheapness of the award. [I mean, give me a break, Kim Campbell? Nice gal and all but really. Come to think of it, maybe that is all I need to say!] I do not think it is such a prestigious award at all. [...]
July 2nd, 2008 at 08:20
Yes that is right Rapheal. That’s is what you call morals and coviction. Something sorely lacking in your morally bankrupt Liberal party.
July 2nd, 2008 at 21:14
Don’t utter vile and banal insinuations at me JC. You know perfectly well I don’t vote Liberal.
July 4th, 2008 at 22:53
Didn’t John Kerry make a big fuss about tossing his medal, (that weren’t his) over the WH fence years ago, and didn’t Ali toss his Olympic medal over a bridge. There must be other cases.
July 5th, 2008 at 13:33
Let’s remember also that Tommy Douglas received the Order of Canada. Think of how many deaths he caused.
July 10th, 2008 at 09:11
The Order of Canada should be given out to 1-2 people max per year – then it might mean something. Currently, it’s as meaningless as the ‘acheivement certificates’ every JK & SK school kids get for sitting still and paying attention.