In May I received a call from the office of the Governor General of Canada, David Johnson, informing me that I would be invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada. It is an incredible honour to receive. I was to keep it confidential until it was announced for July 1 – but of course I told Deanah and my parents right away; Who wouldn’t! Then – as I do with most things – I researched it.

The Order of Canada was established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the centrepiece of Canada’s honours system and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. The Order of Canada’s motto is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country).

I was to be given the 2nd highest of three levels of the Order. This allows me to put the initials O.C. after my name. The Officer of the Order of Canada recognizes a lifetime of achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large.

Then I dug into the numbers… 

~6260 (3245 are living) people have been named, by the Governor General, to the Order of Canada as a Companion, Officer or Member in all fields (Architecture, Arts(Film, Music, Stage, Visual, Writing), Aviation, Communication, Education, Engineering, Environment, Health Care, Heritage, Industry/Business, labour relations, Law, Philanthropy, Politics, Protective Service, Public Service, Religion, Social Service, Social Science, Sports or Voluntary)

~2206 (1147 are living) people have been invested at the level of Officer – the second highest level.

~In the field of sport – the numbers are pretty slim. There are 205 Canadians (137 are still living) who have received the Order of Canada who’s background is sport. Only 59 (46 living) have been given the Order at the level of Officer. I am now one of the 46.

When I look at how few people have received this honour I was blown away, particular with respect to the number of people in sport. It shows that this award is given out to people who are more than just great at their sport, it acknowledges those who give back and build our community and country. I am very proud of the work I’ve done like that for so many groups. I believe there are a number of my Olympic peers who are very worthy of this honour, for what they have done in and out of sport – so many of them give back daily in such a variety of amazing ways. I have no hesitation when I’m asked what athletes do to build our nation, and I’m proud that I have been recognized as someone who has, and continues to, give back.

Paul Gross, Ronnie Hawkins and Marnie McBean among 74 new Order of Canada appointees

Published on Fri Jun 28 2013—Actor Paul Gross, former P.E.I. premier Alexander Campbell and legendary rocker Ronnie Hawkins are among 74 appointments to the Order of Canada announced Friday. The three are among 34 people named as officers of the order, the second-highest grade.

Hawkins’ appointment is honorary because although he has lived in Canada for five decades, he remains an American citizen.

Others named as officers include Olympic rower Marnie McBean. She won a pair of gold medals in Barcelona in 1992 and added a third in Atlanta in 1996. Toronto filmmaker Deepa Mehta was appointed an officer for her contributions as a groundbreaking screenwriter, director and producer.