VICTORIA - In front of friends, family and a room full of distinguished guests, 12 exceptional civic leaders were honoured today at Government House with the Province’s highest form of recognition, the Order of British Columbia.

“For 23 years, deserving British Columbians have been invested with the Order of British Columbia for their volunteerism, philanthropy and leadership,” said Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, Chancellor of the Order. “It gives me great pride to bestow this honour upon these exceptional citizens for the work they’ve done and continue to do in their communities and throughout the province.”    

“The Order of British Columbia is the highest honour we can give - and through their extraordinary contributions and accomplishments, each of this year’s recipients have distinguished themselves,” said Premier Christy Clark. “On behalf of all British Columbians, I want to thank the recipients for representing us at our very best.”

This year’s recipients are:

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Peter S. Anderson of Burnaby - emergency communications and disaster warning expert

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Dr. Finley Armanious of Vernon - intensive care physician and hospital fundraiser

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Larry Berg of Richmond - Vancouver International Airport leader and visionary

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Sergio Cocchia of West Vancouver - entrepreneur and philanthropist supporting children’s charities

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Donna Crocker of Langley - fundraiser and advocate for homeless people

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Arthur S. Hara, O.C., LL.D., O.R.S. of Vancouver

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Christopher Gaze (2012 recipient) of Vancouver - cultural leader and founder of the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

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 Dr. Paula Gordon of Vancouver - innovative breast cancer screening researcher

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Wendy Grant-John of Vancouver - First Nations economic and community leader 

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Robert H.N. Ho of West Vancouver - philanthropist supporting health care and universities

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Charles J. Jago, Ph.D. of Prince George - leader in education, economic development and the arts

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Dr. Charles H. Scudamore of Vancouver - cancer researcher, transplant surgeon and teacher

Two recipients, Gregory Fahlman and George Hungerford, were unable to attend the ceremony while Christopher Gaze, a 2012 recipient, was invested today having missed last year’s ceremony.

The Order of British Columbia is bestowed annually to citizens who have demonstrated outstanding distinction and achievement in any field. Since the order was first introduced in 1989, 345 people have become members.

Learn More:

The Order of British Columbia is online at: www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca

Two backgrounders follow.

Contact:

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Communications
250 356-5963     

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BACKGROUNDER 1

2013 Order of British Columbia recipients

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Peter S. Anderson

Professor Peter Anderson is an emergency communications expert whose work has improved emergency planning and response world-wide. He advises emergency responders on protecting populations from fires, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and other disasters.

As Associate Professor and Director of the Telematics Research Lab at Simon Fraser University, BC’s Provincial Emergency Program relies upon him for unique solutions. During the Okanagan fires of 2003, he supervised the protection of mountaintop telecommunications repeaters and other critical lifeline communications systems needed to support community evacuations and emergency response coordination. 

He developed a tsunami-warning toolkit for coastal communities and is researching a public all-hazards warning system. He developed ‘AMECom’, a self-contained, mobile, telecommunications research laboratory for communications support during emergencies. It was deployed on many occasions, including during the Fraser Valley’s Avian Influenza outbreaks and at Whistler during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Professor Anderson played a pivotal role in developing a system to bring medical information to the South Pacific, a communications system in war-torn Sudan, the first Internet systems for U.N. disaster relief operations, and an emergency warning system for Sri Lanka. He designed and implemented an Internet-based system to facilitate civil emergency planning among the 22 countries of NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme. He’s currently working on new rapid-deployable communications systems for use across Northern Canada.

He works with community organizations in BC on disaster risk reduction activities including improving the effectiveness of West Coast tsunami warning in the aftermath of the October 2012 Haida Gwaii Earthquake.

Professor Anderson’s contributions to the application of telematics in spaceflight have resulted in communication solutions and innovative technology for planetary and lunar explorations. His expertise is sought around the world, yet he generously helps search and rescue and other community organizations across BC.

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Dr. Finley Armanious is a dedicated health professional, a strong patient advocate and a true Renaissance man.

In over more than 30 years of intensive care service at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Dr. Armanious touched the lives of thousands of Okanagan patients and their families. While he has not received widespread acclaim for his accomplishments, his care and compassion will long be remembered by his many patients, their loved ones and their communities.

Even after his retirement and at the age of 86, Dr. Armanious continues to be consulted on many intensive care cases by other physicians. It was his vision that led to the new intensive care unit and the intensive and cardiac care floor of the Polson Tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, where lives are saved and families are reunited during their most challenging times.

Dr. Armanious’ personal service goes well beyond his profession. In retirement, he continues to find new and different ways to support his community, working with the local hospital foundation and various fundraising initiatives.

Following his own tragedy - the loss of his son in a 1992 car crash - Dr. Armanious’ passion and determination led to the establishment of the Dr. Peter Armanious Walk and Run, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cardiac care at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

The general medical staff of Vernon Jubilee Hospital - including 250 physicians, nurses and midwives - pledged $250,000 for the naming of the Intensive and Cardiac Care floor in honour of Dr. Armanious, acknowledging his leadership and excellence.

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Mr. Larry Berg has played a major role in the remarkable transformation of Vancouver International Airport, from an airport Charles Lindbergh refused to visit back in 1927 saying the city had “no fit field to land on”, to today’s position as one of the world’s top-rated airports.

In 20 years at YVR, the last 15 as President and CEO, Mr. Berg has been a strong leader, responsible for developing a culture and management team that ensure the airport will continue to flourish in the future.

He joined the airport as it became one of Canada’s first community-based airport authorities, a change that enabled the airport and leaders like Mr. Berg to introduce innovations and improvements that have included new runways, terminal upgrades, the Canada Line and an economic impact that has grown to nearly $2 billion a year.

In 2012, YVR was named Best Airport in North America for the third year in a row and ranked in the top ten in the world.

In addition to his superlative efforts on behalf of YVR, Mr. Berg has consistently given back to his industry and his community. At the airport, he helped create and nurture the growth of the YVR Art Foundation, fostering the development of BC First Nations art and artists.

Beyond YVR, he has led business and industry associations such as the Business Council of BC, the Canadian Airports Council and Airports Council International. In the community, he has served on the boards of the Vancouver Symphony and the VGH-UBC Hospital Foundation.

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Mr. Sergio Cocchia, a Vancouver-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, is fuelled by the desire to make his country a better place to live, work and visit. He’s fired up on results, for the community through numerous philanthropic projects, and for his team of employees at Absolute Spa Group and the Century Plaza Hotel and Spa.

Mr. Cocchia has raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations throughout British Columbia. In 1987 he founded, along with his wife and the chair of the event, the annual Women’s Media Golf Classic that has raised more than $3 million in the past 25 years to help children with special needs. Completed projects supported include the Down Syndrome Research Centre, the Oral Centre for Hearing Impaired Children, and The Children’s Foundation.

Mr. Cocchia and his wife Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia created the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation which is building a $35 million centre to provide knowledge, connections and services to families province wide.

Mr. Cocchia also serves as president of the board of the Mediated Learning Academy and the Variety Learning Centre, a provincial in nature, independent school that serves special children with more than 30 different diagnoses and learning problems.

In 2010 Mr. Cocchia received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the Justice Institute of BC. He has also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the BC Community Achievement Award and the Children with Intestinal and Liver Disorders Foundation Humanitarian Award.

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Fifteen years ago, Donna Crocker was invited by her sister-in-law, a caterer, to help distribute leftover food from an event to the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Little did she know that this would become her passion and she would become a major contributor to what little warmth and comfort Vancouver’s street residents have in their lives.

Ms. Crocker started a street ministry - Friendship Providers in Action - and every Sunday leads a team of volunteers serving food to more than 700 people, most of whom are homeless. They set up tables at three locations and serve more than 2,500 sandwiches, homemade soup, dessert and drinks; all prepared the previous Friday night.

Ms. Crocker works tirelessly to collect donations. She organizes lawyers to buy blankets each year for her street ministry to distribute. She collects new clothing from a contact in the industry and distributes it through shelters across the Lower Mainland. She brings high school students from five different schools into the Downtown Eastside to help educate them in social responsibility. She opened street churches in Vancouver and Surrey, one of the main reasons for doing this was to provide a warm meal, clean clothing and toiletries, it also provided them with a place to simply rest and relax, if only for a few hours.

She became a hospital chaplain so she could spend time with street residents who are sick or dying. She sits on the board of the Salvation Army. This provides her with access to shelters and detox centres where she can direct people too.  And on it goes.

The people on the streets know how much Ms. Crocker loves and cares for them. Her actions bear this out, every day of the year.

Gregory Fahlman, Ph.D. (not in attendance)

Few of us accomplish enough to have a minor planet named after us; Dr. Gregory Fahlman is one of those few. One of the most important figures in world astronomy, Dr. Fahlman has fostered excellence in all he has done, including leadership of the National Research Council Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (NRC-HIA), Canada’s national laboratory for astronomy, now known as NRC-Herzberg, Astronomy and Astrophysics Programs.

Dr. Fahlman has made significant achievements in scientific research, producing more than 140 refereed papers that have been cited more than 5,000 times by researchers worldwide. He has devoted nearly a decade to leading NRC-HIA, with responsibility for six observatories, including two in British Columbia. During his time as Director General, the NRC-HIA has amassed an impressive array of accomplishments in astronomy.

A leader in collaboration, Dr. Fahlman has played a major role in Canada’s participation in international projects such as the Canada-France Hawaii Telescope, the Gemini Observatory, the Atacama Large Millimetre Array and others. Strongly representing the interests of Canadian researchers, Dr. Fahlman has played a major part in making Canada a world leader in astrophysical research.

Dr. Fahlman has worked cooperatively with other countries and with leading companies such as B.C. high technology firms Profile Composites Inc., Dynamic Structures Limited and Altair Engineering Canada, among others. Contracts directly related to observatories in which the Canadian government has an interest have brought our province more than $56 million over the past two decades.

Throughout his long career, almost all of it in British Columbia, Dr. Fahlman has distinguished himself as a scientist and a visionary scientific leader. 

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Mr. Christopher Gaze has elevated the cultural standard of Vancouver, the Lower Mainland and all of British Columbia. The founder and artistic director of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival in Vancouver, Mr. Gaze is leading the Festival into its 25th season.

More than 90,000 people from Canada, the United States and beyond attend Bard on the Beach each season. The Festival is a four million dollar annual operation, contributing significantly to British Columbia’s arts sector employment and our economy.

Mr. Gaze has provided a strong focus on the actors and audiences of the future. He created Young Shakespearean Acting Program Workshops, allowing more than 275 young people to train each summer with seasoned professionals on the Bard stages. The Festival also developed its Student Matinee Series, which introduces more than ten thousand students each year to the magic of Shakespeare’s stories and language.

Mr. Gaze hosts over twenty concerts each year with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and sits on a variety of boards including Chor Leoni Men’s Choir and the Health Arts Society. He has received prestigious honours from the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal, Honorary Doctorates from SFU and UBC, the B.C. Community Achievement Award, the Gold Medal Medallion from the Children’s Foundation of America, the Mayor’s Arts Award for Theatre and the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal.

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Dr. Paula Gordon is one of Canada’s leading experts in breast cancer detection and diagnosis and a world expert in the field. 

As a leading evidence-based advocate for breast cancer screening and early detection, her work has helped to lead to a marked decline in breast cancer deaths. As one of the first to use ultrasound in the breast, she was a pioneer in the use of ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsies to determine whether a lesion was malignant or benign. Her technique reduced the need for surgery by using a small needle and local anesthesia. She also was among the first to publish about the use of ultrasound for supplementary breast cancer screening.

Dr. Gordon’s research and clinical service in BC started almost 30 years ago. She has been a tireless teacher, respected researcher and a great clinician. She was instrumental in supporting the development of the mammography screening program in British Columbia. She has been key to establishment of a Breast Health Fellowship at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. Practicing radiologists from around the province come to enhance their skills by working directly with Dr. Gordon and other experts.

She has worked with the BC Women’s Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds for the Sadie Diamond Breast Imaging Centre. Outside her professional arena, she has served several years as a director of the Canucks for Kids Fund.

Dr. Gordon pioneers the newest applications of technology and her diagnostic expertise brings a new advantage to breast cancer diagnosis in British Columbia. 

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Ms. Wendy Grant-John is an inspired leader who has helped bring transformative change to indigenous communities across the country while simultaneously helping build stronger relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Ms. Grant-John has tirelessly contributed through cutting edge leadership, economic development, legal, social and cultural means for more than 30 years. When she served as chief of the Musqueam First Nation, she launched the first Aboriginal commercial fishery in Canada and helped the Musqueam achieve two landmark Supreme Court cases that solidified Aboriginal Rights in the Constitution.

She was the first woman elected regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations and served as commissioner of the Pacific Salmon Commission. She was a founding member and former director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

Ms. Grant-John is a sitting member of the Chief and Council for the Musqueam Indian Band. She is chair of the Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women which provides advice to the BC Government on improving the lives of Aboriginal women. She is working toward a coordinated, collaborative and culturally respectful approach to addressing the risks and vulnerabilities that contribute to making Aboriginal women and girls more exposed to and impacted by violence in their lives.

Ms. Grant-John’s many awards include the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 2001, an honorary Doctor of Laws from Royal Roads University in 2003, the Aboriginal Achievement Award in 2006, an honorary Doctor of Laws from Simon Fraser University in 2011, the Influential Women in Business Award in 2012, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. 

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Arthur Hara has led a distinguished career in business, devoting himself to building trade and fostering better understanding between British Columbia and the nations in the Asia Pacific.

Born in Vancouver in 1927, for 37 years he worked for Mitsubishi Canada, being named the first Canadian Chairman of the Corporation in 1983. Under his leadership, Mitsubishi developed B.C.’s natural resources including coalfields in south eastern B.C., which then led to building of the deep-sea coal port at Roberts Bank. In 1999 he was named one of the 50 “British Columbia’s Business Leaders of the Century”.

After retiring in 1999, Mr. Hara continued to be very active in the business community.  He served as Chairman of the Asia Pacific Foundation, Chairman of the University of BC’s Board of Governors, Chairman of the Vancouver Board of Trade, Director of the Canada-Japan Society of BC and Division Chairman of the 1998 United Way Campaign. He has provided leadership in areas that have created a more prosperous and more culturally aware society.

From 2005 to 2008 he assumed the voluntary Chair of the Asia Pacific Trade Council with the mandate of enhancing B.C.’s presence in the Asia Pacific countries of Japan, South Korea, China and India.

Mr. Hara has received international recognition and awards including Officer of the Order of Canada, Canada Confederation Medal, Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, Order of the Rising Sun (Japan), Distinguished Leadership Award from Simon Fraser University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of British Columbia. 

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Robert H.N. Ho

Mr. Robert Ho is a philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to health care institutions and universities.

In 2009, his gift of $15 million to the Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre at Vancouver General Hospital enabled the establishment of a state of the art home to three internationally renowned research programs - the Vancouver Prostate Centre, the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, and the Ovarian Cancer Research Institute. The new centre facilitates cross-pollination of ideas between the disciplines, and greater discoveries and developments to further propel BC’s reputation in the global scientific community.

Two years later, Mr. Ho’s $10 million gift to Lion’s Gate Hospital supported the Greta and Robert H.N. Ho Centre for Psychiatry and Education. His public support expressed a positive and powerful message about mental health which is unfortunately surrounded by stigma.

Mr. Ho’s transformational gifts to health care in British Columbia, totaling $25 million, leave a tremendous philanthropic legacy. He has also made an investment into the scientific knowledge and medical expertise of our province.

Beyond health and medicine, he is also an advocate of Buddhist philosophy and its role and relevance in a contemporary setting. His $4 million donation to UBC in 2005 established North America’s first centre of Buddhist studies. This, and another $4 million donation to University of Toronto, was part of several donations to universities in Canada and the United States to promote academic dialogue and understanding of Buddhism. He has received many awards including an honorary Doctor of Laws from UBC. 

George W. Hungerford, O.C., Q.C. (not in attendance)

George Hungerford’s community leadership in sport, health, education and benevolence has few parallels in British Columbia.

Mr. Hungerford’s dedication to any one of the major initiatives he has undertaken would be considered a huge contribution; that he has taken on several is truly remarkable. He is an Olympic gold medalist and has been involved with sport since then, including with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In the years following Expo 86, Mr. Hungerford played a key role in the Science World fundraising campaign, helping raise $19 million for this important educational initiative.

When cancer touched Mr. Hungerford’s family, he became actively involved in fundraising for the BC Cancer Foundation, serving as co-chair of the Major Gifts Campaign. He helped raise a remarkable $120 million during the Foundation’s Millennium Campaign, which allowed the establishment of the new BC Cancer Research Centre and the Genome Sciences Centre at the BC Cancer Agency.

Mr. Hungerford brought the same level of commitment to his work on behalf of Pacific salmon conservation. For 20 years he served as the founding Chair of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, which has funded more than $25 million in projects. He continues as a founding board member.

For more than 30 years Mr. Hungerford has provided outstanding, strategic and thoughtful community leadership to the Salvation Army, helping raise more than $16 million for the work of the organization.  Mr. Hungerford has a long association with both the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University and has been recognized by both universities for his continuing support.

As if this wasn’t enough, Mr. Hungerford has also helped raise funds for a world-class rowing facility in Richmond.  

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Charles J. Jago, Ph.D.

Dr. Charles Jago has contributed greatly to British Columbia in education, health care, economic development, the Arts, community service and as an articulate and respected advocate for Northern British Columbia.

As President of the University of Northern British Columbia, Dr. Jago oversaw significant growth of the university, initiated partnerships with First Nations and initiated the Northern Sports Centre. He has actively promoted economic development in Northern BC as well as the Arts and has volunteered in many areas, such as the Fraser Basin Council, which he has chaired since 2006.

Dr. Jago’s most significant contributions have been the creation of the Northern Medical Program, developed in response to a critical shortage of physicians in Northern BC, and the creation of the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North in Prince George.

Dr. Jago has served on the boards of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Association of Commonwealth Universities and is past-chair of the Council of Western Canadian University Presidents and the University Presidents’ Council of BC. He has served on the boards of Theatre Northwest, Two Rivers Art Gallery, Initiatives Prince George, Canada West Foundation, and Partnerships BC. He played an active role in the Nechako Environmental Enhancement Fund and the annual Northern BC United Way Campaign. He currently chairs the board of the Northern Health Authority.

Dr. Jago received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2005 for his contributions to education over a quarter century.

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Dr. Charles H. Scudamore

Charles Scudamore is one of British Columbia’s foremost physicians, whose outstanding work is extending the lives of British Columbians diagnosed with serious cancers while working toward the day when there is a cure.

A leading surgical expert in liver transplantation, hepatobiliary oncology and trauma, Dr. Scudamore is staff surgeon at Vancouver General Hospital and B.C. Children’s Hospital, surgical director of the B.C. Liver Transplant Program, and developed Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at the University of British Columbia. In addition, Dr. Scudamore is the incoming president of the North Pacific Surgical Association. He is also a tremendous researcher, teacher and caring physician.

Dr. Scudamore is an expert on the early recognition of pancreatic cancer as well as advanced colorectal metastases to the liver. He has led efforts to increase the number of liver transplants performed in British Columbia. In 2012, there were 65 transplants, up from the then-record 2011 total of 56. Each of these transplants marks a new beginning of a patient’s life.

Dr. Scudamore’s research - including the creation and support of the British Columbia Pancreatic Research Network - and other efforts to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer offers hope to the approximately 380 new cases diagnosed each year in British Columbia.

Working above and beyond the call of duty, Dr. Scudamore is helping patients live longer and more productive lives. In recognition of his outstanding contributions and service to fellow citizens, he was a recent recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Contact:

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Communications
250 356-5963     

BACKGROUNDER 2

Order of British Columbia background

Established in 1989 by statute, the Order of British Columbia recognizes those persons who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the Province or elsewhere. It represents the highest form of recognition the Province can extend to its citizens. Appointments to the order are made annually to the most outstanding British Columbians possessing these qualifications. Citizens of the Province are invited to participate in this ongoing process by nominating persons whom they feel are worthy of this acknowledgement and honour.

Insignia Description

The Insignia of the Order of British Columbia is in the form of a medal. The medal depicts a stylistic dogwood (the floral emblem of B.C.), and features a crowned shield of arms. It is worn with a green, gold, white and blue ribbon. The medal was designed by Bruce W. Beatty and is manufactured by Pressed Metal Products in Vancouver, B.C. 

Eligibility

Any resident of B.C., or former long-term resident, who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, excellence or distinction in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the Province or elsewhere is eligible to be nominated. Fields of endeavour may include community leadership, business, labour, industry, volunteer service, professions and other occupations, arts, sports and others. Federal, provincial and municipal elected representatives are not eligible for appointment to the order while they remain in office. A person may not be appointed to the order posthumously unless the Advisory Council recommends the appointment to the Lieutenant Governor in Council before the person’s death.

Nominations

Any person is welcome to nominate a deserving individual as a candidate for appointment to the order.  Appointments will be made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Advisory Council, an independent council chaired by the chief justice of the Court of Appeal of British Columbia. The chancellor of the Advisory Council is the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. 

Nomination forms are available from: the Honours and Awards Secretariat office at orderofbc@gov.bc.ca (250 387-1616), or submit online at: www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca   

Nominations and letters of support for the Order of British Columbia must be received by the first Friday in March at the secretariat’s office (1st floor, 548 Michigan St., Victoria, V8V 1S2) or via email at orderofbc@gov.bc.ca, to be considered this year.  Nominations received after this will be included in the selection process for the next year. 

Contact:

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Communications
250 356-5963