Most Canadians Think NAFTA is a Bad Deal for Canada

In an Angus Reid Poll that the mainstream media has seemed to ignore, the glaring answer to the age old question becomes apparent. h/t to my friend Grant Orchard for this one.

Dear Friends,

Below is a July 22/08 Angus Reid Strategies poll that's quite sensational in what it reveals about what Canadians think about NAFTA: (be sure to click on the pdf link on the page for all the polling data).

Here are some of the results — from a representative poll by one of Canada's most respected polling firms:

• Only 7% of Canadians asked believe Canada has been the main beneficiary of NAFTA (only 3% of the women asked believe it).

• A clear majority of Canadians see the U.S. (46%) and Mexico (30%) as the countries that benefited the most and 17% are not sure.

• More than half, 52%, think that Canada should do whatever is necessary to renegotiate the terms of NAFTA and 11% think that Canada should do whatever is necessary to leave NAFTA.

• 56% of those who intend to vote Liberal in the next election think that NAFTA should be renegotiated. (And, interestingly, 52% of Conservative and Bloc supporters think so too.)

Not surprisingly, this poll has received scant attention in the media, so please forward far and wide!

"an abuse to women's rights"

Yep. I said that. Having a baby isn't a guy thing, but I certainly support a woman's right to good health care and an ob/gyn/mat ward in the local hospital without having to drive a half hour to get there.

Join the Facebook Group.

Sign the Petition.

The Conservative Version of Adscam

Remember this part of the Conservative Platform?

So the Globe is reporting some excessive Government advertising spending. The Conservative defense? Yes, but the Liberals did it.

Thank God I Wasn't in Labour

On the way home this evening I got stuck (again) on the Garden City Skyway. 32 minutes worth of stuck. Equally stuck were the cars Toronto bound.

Now, imagine being in labour and stuck on that bridge on your way from Niagara and/or Fort Erie to have that baby in St. Catharines!

You get my point.

SIGN THE PETITION!!!

Guelph By-Election Called For September 8th

Prediction: Frank Valeriote Wins!!!

Frank's HQ Info:

336 Speedvale Drive
Guelph, ON

Harper Hits Snag... Dion a Winner!

Burried in the Toronto Sun today is this article by Michael Den Tandt. Poor Stevie. All out of plans.

Conservatives are Tougher on Climate Change Than Anybody Else!

This is my Friday joke of the day. Brought to you by none other than John Baird. And, on that note....

And the Maternity Ward Fight Continues

Wow! Over 185 have signed the petition. You should too!

And the Facebook Group is getting just as large. Join up!

We're Going Viral With This

This morning I blogged about the closure of the Greater Niagara General Hospital's Maternity Ward. My friends at Creative Revolution took it up a notch. And, now, there is an online petition.

My thoughts? SIGN THE PETITION!

City of 82,000 to Go without Maternity Ward

UPDATE: Here is the Petition. Sign it Please!

Updater:I fixed the map link.

Imagine that? With an average growth rate of 11% per year, Niagara Falls is scheduled to close their Maternity ward and all birthing is to take place in the City of St. Catharines.

Let's put this into perspective for those of you that can't or don't know the geography of the Niagara region. This is liking asking residents of downtown Toronto to deliver their children is Scarborough; or residents of Yaletown or Gastown in Vancouver delivering in Surrey; or residents of Regina delivering in Sedley (only their would be cars on the road on the way); or delivering in Pointe Claire when you live in downtown Montreal. Anyway, I'm sure you get my point here.

Here's the map.Notice that you would have to travel down the QEW to get to St. Catharines? The same stretch of highway scheduled for construction for the next 5 years? The same stretch that I sat for 45 minutes without moving a single kilometre last Friday because of said construction?

Now wouldn't one think that a City the size of Niagara Falls should have, as a medical necessity, a maternity ward? So one hospital is to service the needs of 325,000 citizens over a region the size of France. Interesting.

To that end, I bring you the motion from Niagara Falls City Council (The NHS Motion):

NHS Motion

WHEREAS the Niagara Health System (NHS) has repeatedly denied the planned closure of the Niagara Falls Labour and Delivery Unit since 2006; and

WHEREAS with the release on July 16, 2008 of their Hospital Improvement Plan (HIP), the NHS plan is to accommodate all births in the Niagara Region in St. Catharines; and

WHEREAS with an eleven percent (11%) increase, the majority of growth in new births has taken place in Niagara Falls; and

WHEREAS conversely, the largest decrease in birth rates in the Region, at approximately twenty-five percent (25%) continues to be in St. Catharines; and

WHEREAS with minimal urban growth opportunities present it is likely that the trend of decreased birth rates in St. Catharines will continue, and

WHEREAS Niagara Falls City Council has gone on record on many occasions indicating that the proposed new hospital location in St. Catharines is not convenient, easily accessible nor strategically placed to properly serve residents outside of St. Catharines, and

WHEREAS the HIP, as related to Labour and Delivery Units, is not feasible until a Niagara Regional Transportation service is in place and functional; and

WHEREAS with Niagara Falls playing host to over 12 million visitors per year it has some very unique health care challenges that call for the preservation of core services at the Greater Niagara General Hospital (GNGH); and

Whereas labour and delivery is largely unscheduled and unpredictable in it's natural form, and

WHEREAS there has been an erosion in confidence in the NHS by elected officials and taxpayers alike; and

WHEREAS the NHS have shown an inability, to date, balance its budget; and

WHEREAS as a result, the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant (HNHB) Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), which is responsible for planning, integrating and funding health care providers, has asked the NHS for its Hospital Improvement Plan.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Niagara Falls insist that the NHS withdraw it’s suggestion to the LHIN of closing the Labour and Delivery Unit of Niagara Falls; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that in the alternative the City Council of Niagara Falls forward this resolution to the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant (HNHB) Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and Dr. Jack Kitts, the expert who has been chosen to review the Hospital Improvement Plan (HIP); and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that before making any final decisions, the LHIN have appropriate public consultation throughout the Niagara Region; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that copies of this resolution also be forwarded to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Honourable David Kaplan, Kim Craitor, M.P.P., Niagara Falls , Area Municipalities, and the Ontario Nurses’ Association.

In and Out ... Repeat if Necessary

Kind of like the instructions on your shampoo bottle. Boy those Conservatives are gonna look real bad assaulting Elections Canada.

Green Shift Takes on The What Do I Know Grit

Oh my! Isn't that just interesting. As if the fight with the entire Liberal Party of Canada wasn't enough, apparently Green Shift now wants to enter the ever-dangerous Blogworld (TM pending) to explain their side of the story.

Odd really. At least the Conservatives refuse to talk about "cases in front of the courts". Yet some unidentified Green Shift person has come to Blogworld (TM Pending) to give some explanations and some advice to yours truly. In fairness to Green Shift, perhaps this person doesn't even belong to them. Perhaps it's just another Conservative troll trying to help out. You be the judge.

Here's their statement in my comment section:

greenshift said...

Whoever buys into the idea that you can protect yourself by buying up all surrounding web sites - you might want to consider that someone can simply affix your name to the end of their own website with a forward slash - they don't need to register a new site at all. Secondly, where does it end - we / Green Shift do own a multitude of "Green Shift" domains but do you really think there will not always be one you don't have... come on people - there are now tonnes of endings and soon to be even more, and multiply that by all the verbs that someone could affix to it - that is a losing battle. Trademarks on the other hand do have parameters and for everyone who has no clue about what this means you might want to do a little reading. The biggest issue with a trademark is how far do your right span and can you afford to protect it. If a Political Party started a campaign using the trademark from a very well known company, it is guaranteed that they would receive a Cease and Desist - the difference here is that they ignored it and hence the fact that it has turned in to a lawsuit. Why did they ignore it - maybe they gambled that we could not afford to protect our rights. If you don't believe me - I recommend that you read up - maybe starting at Industry Canada and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and then looking at the number of cases where small companies cannot afford to exercise their rights.

Finally!!! A Podium!!!

And for the son of a legend at that!

Nelson Piquet Jr. grabs Renault's first podium of the season. Long overdue in my opinion. Congrats young gun!

A Little Friday on My Mind

This song should get you goin' on a Friday morning.

As for me? Breakfast with Minister Watson...but I'll listen to this tune a few more times before then I'm certain.

Lawrence Martin gets it Right on Khadr and Harper

"Defending the indefensible" is my favourite line. Here's the rest.

Dippers to Change Their Name

Look out Thomas Mulcair, there's a new leadership candidate in town. That's right. Michael Byers is his name. Hear him roar.

Meet Green Shift's Lawyers

Joshua Spicer and Christine Pallotta. They seem like nice kids.

Here's the statement of claim.


h/t to Kady.

NDP Lose Original Member to Liberals

More proof of what I've been harping on about the NDP and their total lack of direction. Reid Scott, the original NDP member from the Danforth riding now occupied by Jack Layton, is now set to join Stephane Dion in his Green Shift crusade.

Susan Delacourt has the scoop here. Reid Scott was instrumental in the selection of today's Canadian flag. As for the NDP? No direction known.

More Assasination Jokes About World Leaders

So a friend of mine, the President of the St. Catharines Liberal Riding Association, Jane Cornelius is being hung out to dry in the press and on Conservative Blogs everywhere. It appears Jane published a distasteful joke in the riding newsletter. Of course Jane didn't write the joke/non-joke, but merely shared it with people.

Naturally, Conservative MP Rick Dykstra, who enjoys bottom feeding, waited until the day Liberal Leader Stephane Dion was to appear in St. Catharines to throw out his media release. Typical of Dykstra. Trying to gain the headline in the Standard over Walt Lastewka at the expense of one of the nicest ladies to grace a riding association.

I will not publish the joke/non-joke, but I will share these links with you with the same joke/non-joke from around the world:

Tony Blair

George Bush


Blair Again

PM John Howard

The Herald allowed it in their comment section about Blair

Same joke Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton

Different Bush Twist

Kevin Rudd

Anyway, one of the nicest ladies I've had the pleasure of meeting is being crucified for political gain by an MP not worthy of tying her shoes.

So Just Send Money to any Ole Company?

Let me get this straight. A Conservative Blogger has set up a website for people to throw money at a company that plans to sue the Liberal Party of Canada. A company that claims "What I'm most upset about is the idea that we're not about a political affiliation". And this company is going to take cheques and Interac transfers and throw the money into their coffers to pay for this lawsuit against the Liberal Party of Canada instead of establishing a Legal Trust Fund for said funds.

Sounds like a company that wants money and doesn't care who they have to get it from...Liberals. Conservatives. Dippers. ...no matter. We just want money.

How do we know this blogger has a Conservative bias? Because the blog states:

This is a biased blog. It reflects a point of view. So please read everything with that in mind. The bias is Canadian, Conservative, and atheist.

Anywho. Whatever.

Chantal Hebert - Her Dion Vendetta Continues

In what can only be deemed a ridiculous analogy at best, Chantal Hebert's column today smells of political bullshit. The Green Shift = Sovereignty? Wow. Good one.

More Conservatives Entitled to Their Entitlements

So the PMO is set to appoint another lobbyist into their midst. This time Kory Teneycke. Red Canuck had some insight into Kory as far back as November of last year.

Some would argue that Mr. Teneycke's past employer may be extremely guilty of, say, third party advertising. That is, a group that advertises to the benefit of a political entity. Say, oh, I don't know, the Conservative Party of Canada. Some would say there is nothing wrong with using the Prime Minister in third party ads.

Whatever one says, I seem to remember that the Conservatives were getting rid of "PATRONAGE":

For those Canadians seeking accountability the question is clear: which party can deliver the change of government that’s needed to ensure political accountability in Ottawa? We need a change of government to replace old style politics with a new vision. We need to replace a culture of entitlement and corruption with a culture of accountability.
We need to replace benefits for a privileged few with government for all. Everyday Canadians – the hardworking people who pay their taxes and play by the rules – want and deserve a new government that will put the people’s interest ahead of self-interest.

-Conservative Platform 2006

Under the Liberals, lobbying government – often by friends and associates of Paul Martin and other Liberal ministers – has become a multi-million dollar industry. Senior Liberals move freely back and forth between elected and non-elected government posts and the world of lobbying.

-Conservative Platform 2006

But they're right about one thing - their lobbyist aren't the same as Paul Martin's lobbyists. They are a totally new group of lobbyists/non-lobbyists.

Axe the Tax My Ass!!!

Let's clear the air on carbon taxes
By David Suzuki
The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)
Fri 04 Jul 2008
I admit we aren't 100 per cent sure that human activity is causing global warming. So let's all go home in our SUVs and join an "axe the tax" campaign.

Come to think of it, we aren't sure that our houses will be robbed, flooded or burned to the ground, so let's cancel our home insurance while we're at it.

After all, the vast majority of the world's climate scientists will only admit to being 90 per cent certain that our carbon emissions are causing global warming on such a scale that we face global catastrophe if we fail to change our ways.

If nine out of 10 doctors said your child needed an immediate operation, would you wait until all 10 agreed?

James Hansen, a leading climate expert who raised the alarm about global warming to the U.S. Congress 20 years ago, says he's 99 per cent sure, but that's still not 100 per cent. So why should we pay more by way of a carbon tax to address a problem that may not exist?

True, a report prepared by M.K. Jaccard and Associates for the David Suzuki Foundation titled Pricing Carbon: Saving Green argued persuasively that a carbon tax is an effective tool for bringing emissions down, and governments, scientists and economists around the world agree.

But what if they're wrong? Never mind that countries such as Sweden, which implemented a carbon tax in 1991, have proven such measures are effective and that they actually produce economic benefits.

Why should we change if we don't have to? Rising gas prices due to global market forces are already hitting us hard enough. Why should we add to the misery?

Consider this: if the industry shills and their followers are right and global warming isn't the threat we think it is, and we act anyway, the oil will still be there for future use and we'll also have cleaner air and greater innovation in green technologies, along with stronger economies.

If the majority of the world's climate scientists are right and we fail to act, we face ecological, social and economic catastrophe on a scale beyond anything we've experienced in modern times.

Consider also that carbon taxes such as British Columbia's and the one the federal Liberals have proposed are actually tax shifts.

The money collected from individuals, businesses and industry will be returned in the form of cuts to personal and business taxes. The 2.4 cents a litre increase in gas prices that is one small part of the B.C. tax is minuscule compared to market increases. The tax may help us move away from continued reliance on increasingly scarce and costly fossil fuels.

Whether it's called a tax shift, a revenue-neutral tax or a new tax, it will get people worked up. No one likes taxes, but we like roads and schools and hospitals and police services, so we pay them.

We also pay about $90 a tonne to put garbage into landfills, so why are we so concerned about having to pay to put garbage into the air?

Politicians have two powerful instruments to influence behaviour: regulation and taxation. In the mindless mantra of anti-taxation groups, taxes are bad and we should always cut and never increase them.

The ludicrous aspect is that these groups are silent about the enormous taxpayer subsidies to fossil-fuel and related industries that make windfall profits while resisting even a small tax hike.

Together with measures such as a cap-and-trade program, a carbon tax can use money from industries that are not energy-efficient to create economic benefits and incentives for those that are wiser in their energy use.

The income generated by a carbon tax can be used to cut income taxes, build more public transit, upgrade trains, develop renewable-energy sources and retrofit homes and buildings with energy-efficient technology.

For 20 years, scientists have warned of the need for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Leading economists have shown that the cost to bring emissions down will be about one per cent of GDP annually, while the costs incurred if we don't reduce emissions could be economically catastrophic.

When politicians, businesspeople and citizens show leadership by proposing or implementing solutions to the real problems facing the planet (yes, more than 90 per cent certain is as real as it gets in science), they deserve our support, not mockery and politically motivated misinformation.

Axe the tax, my ass!

Take David Suzuki's Nature Challenge and learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.

© 2008 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

The Saint vs. Morgentaler

Father Lucien Larre has decided he will return the Order of Canada he received. He cites the Morgentaler appointment as his reason. The fact is, this so-called saint should have returned his O of C for disgracing himself multiple times.

Canada Ranked Second Last

But it's really like being last, considering it's the U.S. that is behind us. Harper and his buddy Dubya are neck and neck.

Conservatives Running Fast and Far From Morgentaler

As I predicted 2 days ago, the Conservative government has already begun to run away from the appointment of Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada. Here's some quotes from today's Star.

Poor Dimitri, I guess he forgot that the advisory council does include the deputy minister of Canadian Heritage, Ms. Judith LaRocque and the Clerk of the Privy Council, the department that reports to Stephen Harper, Mr. Kevin Lynch.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office was quick to distance itself from the controversial honour.

"The Conservative Government is not involved in either deliberations or decisions with respect to which individuals are appointed to the Order of Canada," Dimitri Soudas, a spokesperson for Harper, said in a statement.

"Rideau Hall makes these appointments based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Order which is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada," Soudas said.

However, Tory MP Ken Epp (Edmonton-Sherwood Park) said the pro-choice supporters have "gone too far."

"As far as I'm concerned it is indeed controversial," said Epp, who has a private member's bill before the House of Commons that would allow criminal charges to be laid in the death or injury of an unborn child when the child's mother is the victim of a crime.

Epp also questioned the objectivity of Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin as head of the Order of Canada advisory council. "Is she now totally out of impartiality because of the fact she has weighed into this? I am concerned about all of those things," he said

And form The Globe

Still, one veteran Conservative MP deviated from the script.

“I think it's a sorry day when they give that man the Order of Canada … He's not deserving of it. What has the man contributed to this nation?” asked Conservative MP Art Hanger. “Apart from providing a so-called service which I don't believe should be even offered in the nation, but is unfortunately, because we don't have a law governing the taking of life of the unborn.”

The Morgentaler Rumours Were True

Wow. There's some great names in this year's group of Order of Canada Recipients. Kim Campbell, Peter Mansbridge, Frank McKenna and Randy Bachman (yes, he of the Guess Who)and, yes, Dr. Henry Morgentaler.

COMPANIONS

The Right Honourable Kim Campbell, P.C., C.C.
Paris, France and Vancouver, British Columbia
Companion of the Order of Canada

For her distinguished contributions to Canadian politics, and for her active involvement and leadership in the promotion of global democracy, international cooperation and women in politics.

The Honourable John C. Major, C.C.
Calgary, Alberta
Companion of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the Canadian justice system, including 13 years of service on the bench of the Supreme Court of Canada.

G. Wallace F. McCain, C.C., O.N.B.
Toronto, Ontario and Florenceville, New Brunswick
Companion of the Order of Canada

For his continued leadership and contribution to business and industry, both in Canada and abroad, as well as for his widespread philanthropy.

(This is a promotion within the Order.)

Raymond Moriyama, C.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Companion of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the field of architecture, and for inspiring a new generation of young architects through his designs of some of Canada’s most innovative urban structures.

(This is a promotion within the Order.)

Marcel Trudel, C.C., G.O.Q.
Boucherville, Quebec
Companion of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a historian, and for his written works on the history of New France, which continue to enrich our heritage.

(This is a promotion within the Order.)

OFFICERS

Jocelyne Alloucherie, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
Officer of the Order of Canada

For her contributions to the visual arts as an internationally renowned sculptor.

Gail Asper, O.C., O.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Officer of the Order of Canada

For her work as an arts advocate, fundraiser, and business and community leader who has brought her leadership and vision to the benefit of cultural, community and charitable associations at the local, provincial and national levels.

Randolph C. (Randy) Bachman, O.C.
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as an iconic Canadian rock musician and for his support of Canadian music as a producer of emerging Canadian artists.

Robin W. Boadway, O.C.
Kingston, Ontario
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to public policy in Canada, notably as a leading scholar in the field of public sector economics.

Raymond Breton, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the advancement of sociology and to the understanding of the impact of multiculturalism and linguistic diversity on Canadian society.

AA Bronson, O.C.
New York, N.Y., U.S.A. and Toronto, Ontario
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a solo artist and a member of General Idea who has influenced and inspired generations of his peers.

Victor S. Buffalo, O.C.
Hobbema, Alberta
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the Aboriginal business community, notably as chief of the Samson Cree Nation, and for working to secure the economic well-being of his community through the establishment of Peace Hills Trust.

Maria Campbell, O.C., S.O.M.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Officer of the Order of Canada

For her contributions to Canadian literature and media as a writer, playwright, filmmaker and educator, as well as for her advocacy of Métis and Aboriginal issues.

Joan Clark, O.C.
Mount Royal, Quebec
Officer of the Order of Canada

For her contributions as a pioneer for women in law, and as a major force in improving animal protection by helping to bring about a groundbreaking animal protection law and the implementation of standards regarding the use of animals in research.

George Elliott Clarke, O.C., O.N.S.
Toronto, Ontario and Windsor, Nova Scotia
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a poet, professor and volunteer who has brought his original voice and his perspective on the Black experience to contemporary Canadian literature, and who has generously shared his time and talents with young and emerging writers.

Jean-Marie Dufour, O.C., O.Q.
Montréal, Quebec
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to education, research and the development of the field of economics as an internationally renowned econometrics specialist.

Basil (Buzz) Hargrove, O.C.
Mississauga, Ontario
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a labour leader who is respected on both sides of the bargaining table, and for his advocacy for equality and human rights in Canada and abroad.

Martha Jodrey, O.C.
Windsor, Nova Scotia
Officer of the Order of Canada

For her contributions as a philanthropist, volunteer and fundraiser who has supported many educational, health care, cultural and community causes throughout Nova Scotia, and who has helped to increase educational services for students with disabilities.

The Honourable Donald J. Johnston, P.C., O.C.
Glen Sutton, Quebec
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to public service in Canada, and as secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, where he introduced many important initiatives that continue to benefit the international community.

Victor Ling, O.C., O.B.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as an esteemed health care leader, including his groundbreaking research that has helped the scientific community to better understand why certain cancers become drug-resistant.

Peter Mansbridge, O.C.
Stratford, Ontario
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to broadcasting, for his commitment to helping Canadians better understand their country and the world, and for his dedication to literacy and Canada’s youth.

Allan P. Markin, O.C.
Calgary, Alberta
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to Canada’s natural resources sector, and for his generous philanthropy in the areas of health care and post-secondary education.

Piers McDonald, O.C.
Whitehorse, Yukon
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the Yukon, where he served as government leader and member of the Territorial Legislature, and for his leadership in the economic development of the North.

The Honourable Frank McKenna, P.C., O.C., O.N.B.
Toronto, Ontario and Cap-Pelé, New Brunswick
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to public service, and as a business and community leader who has had an important and lasting influence on the economic revitalization of New Brunswick and on the growth of businesses across Canada.

Timothy R. Oke, O.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to meteorology and urban climatology, as well as for his mentoring of generations of geographers.

The Honourable Landon Pearson, O.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Officer of the Order of Canada

For her commitment and leadership in advocating for the rights of children and youth, nationally and internationally, for more than four decades.

Clayton H. Riddell, O.C.
Calgary, Alberta
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his leadership in the Canadian petroleum industry as a renowned exploration geologist, and for his generous philanthropic support of numerous community organizations.

John N. Smith, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the Canadian film industry as a filmmaker whose works, such as The Boys of St. Vincent, Dieppe and Welcome to Canada, have touched audiences across Canada and around the world.

David J. Sweet, O.C.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Officer of the Order of Canada

For enhancing Canada’s reputation as a leader in forensic odontology—the science of victim identification using dental charts and analysis of teeth—and for his contributions as a teacher, researcher and consultant.

Audrey Thomas, O.C.
Galiano Island, British Columbia
Officer of the Order of Canada

For her contributions as one of our nation’s most accomplished fiction writers, notably as a master of the short story, and as a revered teacher and mentor.

W. Paul Thompson, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to Canadian theatre, notably for bringing the stories of ordinary Canadians to the stage, and for bringing theatre to the people through performances held in rural communities, as well as large cities, across the country.

MEMBERS

Gordon E. Arnell, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a businessman, notably in the North American commercial real estate industry, and for his support of several organizations.

Constance Backhouse, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For her contributions as an award-winning educator and author in the areas of history and the law, and as an activist for human rights.

Lyle R. Best, C.M.
St. Albert, Alberta
Member of the Order of Canada

For his leadership as a fundraiser, mentor and volunteer with numerous charitable, sports and community organizations.

Paul Bley, C.M.
Cherry Valley, New York, U.S.A. and Montréal, Quebec
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a pioneering figure in avant-garde and free jazz, and for his influence on younger jazz pianists.

Peter Boneham, C.M.
Gatineau, Quebec
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a leader and innovator in dance, notably as a choreographer, artistic director and creator of Le Groupe Dance Lab, a unique centre for research and development of contemporary dance.

Yvette Bonny, C.M., C.Q.
Montréal, Quebec
Member of the Order of Canada

For her contributions as a role model within the Haitian community and for young Black women in Quebec, as well as for her dedication to children as a pediatrician-hematologist.

Jeanne-d’Arc Bouchard, C.M., C.Q.
Roberval, Quebec
Member of the Order of Canada

For her innovative contributions as a nurse, advocate and creator of a public assistance program designed to provide care and readjustment services for people suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction.

Robert E. Brown, C.M., O.Q.
Westmount, Quebec
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a leader in Canada’s aerospace industry, and for his dedicated service to and support of non-profit organizations.

Judith Chernin Budovitch, C.M.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Member of the Order of Canada

For her contributions as a community volunteer who has supported various artistic, educational and civic groups in New Brunswick, notably the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

Dominic Champagne, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the performing arts as an author, director, producer, comedian and performing arts educator.

Simon Chang, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the fashion industry as well as for his philanthropy and social engagement.

Marcel A. Desautels, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a businessman and philanthropist, and for his unfailing support of business and management education in Canadian universities.

The Honourable Myra A. Freeman, C.M., O.N.S.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Member of the Order of Canada

For her contributions to the people of Nova Scotia as an educator, community volunteer and former lieutenant-governor who has always championed young people and their achievements.

Robert G. Glossop, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to sociology and to the advancement of Canadian social policy and family law, though his longstanding involvement with the Vanier Institute of the Family.

Vladimir Hachinski, C.M.
London, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the field of neurology, notably as a leading expert and researcher in the study of stroke and dementia.

Dezsö J. Horváth, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his academic leadership and sustained commitment to business education in Canada.

Elke and Tim Inkster, C.M.
Erin, Ontario
Members of the Order of Canada

For their distinctive contributions to publishing in Canada and for their promotion of new authors, as co-founders of The Porcupine's Quill, a small press known for the award-winning beauty and quality of its books.

Patrick J. Keenan, C.M., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his sustained philanthropic contributions, notably in the areas of health care, education and culture.

Marc Kielburger, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his dedication and work as the head of Free The Children and Leaders Today and as an activist who is committed to promoting social activism and voluntarism in Canada’s youth.

Rudolph J. Kriegler, C.M.
Ottawa, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his pioneering contributions to the development of innovative technologies, and for his sustained scientific leadership in Canada’s high-technology sector.

Norman Levine, C.M.
Willowdale, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the development and advancement of paediatric dentistry and dentistry for people with disabilities.

Christine Leyser, C.M.
Guelph, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For serving as the driving force behind several institutions that provide food, shelter and social services to those in need, making her a pillar of her community and a beacon of hope for those marginalized in society.

H. Wade MacLauchlan, C.M.
West Covehead, Prince Edward Island
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the study of law in Atlantic Canada and to the economic development of the province of Prince Edward Island, through his leadership and involvement with numerous academic, cultural and research organizations, including the University of Prince Edward Island.

R. Gordon M. Macpherson, C.M.
Burlington, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions in the field of heraldry in Canada, and for his leadership in establishing Canada’s international reputation in this field.

Mick Mallon, C.M.
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a teacher and linguist who spent decades preserving and revitalizing the Inuktitut language.

Judith Mappin, C.M.
Montréal, Quebec
Member of the Order of Canada

For 30 years of dedication and commitment to the promotion of emerging and established writers as the owner and co-founder of the Double Hook Book Shop, a store devoted entirely to Canadian literature.

Michael Marrus, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a scholar and historian, notably on the history, causes and consequences of the Holocaust.

Ian W. McDougall, C.M.
Victoria, British Columbia
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to classical and jazz music as a renowned trombonist and composer and as an innovative educator and mentor.

Axel Meisen, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Member of the Order of Canada

For his important contributions to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador through his leadership of the Memorial University of Newfoundland, which led to a significant increase in enrolment, unprecedented funding and enhanced research capacity.

Henry Morgentaler, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations.

Philip Walter Owen, C.M.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Member of the Order of Canada

For his long-standing commitment and contributions to the city of Vancouver.

André Poilièvre, C.M.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Member of the Order of Canada

For providing social and moral support to Aboriginal and inner-city youth for more than 20 years, and for helping steer them away from the pitfalls of addiction and gang violence.

The Honourable Brenda Robertson, C.M., O.N.B.
Moncton, New Brunswick
Member of the Order of Canada

For her commitment to the people of New Brunswick as the first woman elected to the provincial Legislature, and as a member of the Senate of Canada.

Kenneth Charles Sauer, C.M.
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a volunteer with many regional and provincial organizations, as well as for his leadership in the field of amateur sports, notably through his involvement with the Alberta Games.

Bernard Savoie, C.M.
Moncton, New Brunswick
Member of the Order of Canada

For his dedication to his fellow Canadians as a doctor and volunteer who is committed to the economic and cultural development of his community.

Lorne Scott, C.M.
Indian Head, Saskatchewan
Member of the Order of Canada

For his long-time contributions to nature conservancy in the province of Saskatchewan.

T. Clayton Shields, C.M
Stratford, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For more than three decades of service as the wigmaster to the Stratford Festival of Canada, where he developed innovative techniques and mentored new generations of artists.

John S. Speakman, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as a professor, clinician and volunteer ophthalmologist who has provided comprehensive eye care to First Nations peoples in Canada’s North.

James C. Temerty, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions as an entrepreneurial leader in the clean energy sector, and for his philanthropic and volunteer leadership with several local, national and international organizations.

José Verstappen, C.M.
Surrey, British Columbia
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the promotion and vitality of early-period music in British Columbia, and for showcasing Canada within the international early music community.

Henry H. Wakabayashi, C.M., O.B.C.
Burnaby, British Columbia
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions, as a civil and industrial engineer, to significant infrastructure projects in the Vancouver area, and for fostering increased cultural exchanges between Canada and Japan.

George A. Zarb, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For his contributions and leadership in prosthodontic dentistry, notably for introducing dental implantology to North American dentists.

HONORARY OFFICER

Charles Aznavour, O.C.
Geneva, Switzerland
Honorary Officer of the Order of Canada

For his contributions to the Francophone culture as a singer, composer and actor and for his work which has helped establish important cultural ties between Canada and the rest of the French-speaking world.