Order of Canada

The Order of Canada is the highest civilian honour for lifetime achievement in that country. Consisting of three levels of honour (Member, Officer, and Companion), new honourees are announced in June and December of each year. The Order is administered by the Governor General of Canada on behalf of the Queen. The first of such awards was presented on July 1st, 1967 – the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation.

Companions of the Order of Canada honours are awarded for service with the highest degree of merit to Canada and to humanity or in recognition of extraordinary achievement in their field of endeavour. Only 165 living recipients are allowed and 15 awards per year. In 1972 holders of the Medal of Service took the newly created rank of Officer (OC), and a third level, Member (CM), was introduced. Up to 64 appointments can be made to the rank of Officer every year compared with 136 to the rank of Member.

Honourees include scientists, musicians, politicians, artists, athletes, business people, television and film stars, benefactors, and others. Recipients are entitled to have placed after their names the letters representing the category in which each is appointed: CC, OC or CM.

The complete list of LGBTQ individuals who have been so honoured are:

Anne-Marie Alonzo - Playwright Morton Beiser - Professor, psychologist, and epidemiologist Heather Bishop - Folk singer Marie-Claire Blais - Social Commentator and writer Wayson Choy - Writer Arthur Erickson - Architect Timothy Findley - Writer Brent Hawkes - Religion John Hirsch - Theatre and television Douglas V. Le Pan - Diplomat Robert McCall - Ice Dancer Charles Pachter - Artist Jane Rule - Writer Michel Tremblay - Writer Charlotte Whitton - Politician