Order of Canada appointees in the arts – December 2023

Officers

Joséphine Bacon, O.C., O.Q.
Montréal, Quebec
For her significant contributions to Indigenous literature and culture in Canada.

Linda Jane Manzer, O.C.
Almonte, Ontario
For her trailblazing contributions and achievements as one of the world’s leading luthiers.

Peter Robb Pearson, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
For his groundbreaking contributions as a filmmaker and for his tireless advocacy of Canadian film and television.

Members

Yisa Folasele Akinbolaji, C.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
For his innovations as an esteemed visual artist and for his mentorship of youth in the province of Manitoba.

Sara Joy Angel, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For her significant contributions to Canadian art history as a visual arts journalist and founder of the Art Canada Institute.

Nurjehan Aziz Vassanji, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For advancing diversity and inclusion in Canadian literature as a leading publisher and editor.

Ardyth Brott, C.M.
Hamilton, Ontario
For her contributions to the Canadian orchestral community, and for her sustained support for youth involvement in music.

Alfredo Caxaj, C.M.
London, Ontario
For his contributions to the arts and culture, and for his promotion and celebration of diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism in Canada.

Patrick Gordon Crean, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For championing Canadian writers, publications and readership as a leading publisher, editor and consultant.

Michael de Adder, C.M.
Moncton, New Brunswick
For his artistic contributions and pointed commentary in the field of editorial cartooning.

Bronwyn D. A. Drainie, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For her long-standing contributions to Canadian arts and culture, notably as a prominent radio host and editor-in-chief of the Literary Review of Canada.

Deantha Rae Edmunds, C.M.
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
For her significant contributions as Canada’s first Inuk opera singer, and for her original compositions and her mentorship of young Indigenous musicians.

Deanne M. Fitzpatrick, C.M.
Amherst, Nova Scotia
For her contributions to the advancement and recognition of rug hooking as an art form.

Patricia Sybil Pritchard Fraser, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For her lasting contributions to Canadian contemporary dance as an artist, dancer, educator and artistic director.

Timothy Robert Jones, C.M.
Picton, Ontario
For his visionary leadership that has left an indelible mark on the arts landscape in Toronto and beyond.

Richard Kroeker, C.M.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
For his innovative leadership as one of Canada’s leading architects who uses multiple perspectives of Indigenous and Western artistic and environmental models in his work.

Gary Alan Kulesha, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For his contributions as an esteemed composer, conductor and mentor to the next generation of classical musicians.

André Leon Lewis, C.M., O.M., M.S.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
For his decades of outstanding leadership of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and for his contributions to the world of dance.

Kim Thúy Ly Thanh, C.M., C.Q.
Longueuil, Quebec
For amplifying the voices and experiences of migrants and refugees as an acclaimed novelist on Canada’s literary scene.

Susan Margaret Macpherson, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For her lifetime devotion to dance as an artist, educator, director, researcher and mentor.

Lois McDonall, C.M.
Mono, Ontario
For her celebrated career as one of Canada’s leading sopranos and for her mentorship of the next generation of performers.

Joel Andrew Quarrington, C.M.
Canton de Hatley, Quebec
For his contributions as a world-leading double bass player and respected educator.

George Mark Paul Stroumboulopoulos, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For his leading contributions to Canadian media and journalism as a renowned broadcaster and producer in television and radio.

Maia-Mari Sutnik, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
For her visionary leadership as the Art Gallery of Ontario’s first curator of photography and for her mentorship of the next generation of art historians.

Zainub Verjee, C.M.
Mississauga, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia
For advancing representation and equitable policy legislation within Canada’s arts and culture sectors as a leading artist, administrator and critic.