Order of Ontario

Order of Ontario
Name	Order of Ontario
Awarded by	Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Type	Provincial honour
Established	1975
Eligibility	Civilians and former public figures
First awarded	1975

Order of Ontario is the highest honour awarded by the province of Ontario and recognizes individuals for excellence and achievement across diverse fields. It acknowledges contributions by citizens and long-term residents linked to institutions such as University of Toronto, McMaster University, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, and Ontario Science Centre. Recipients have included figures associated with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian Medical Association, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Canadian Red Cross.

History

The creation of the honour in 1975 followed precedents set by provincial awards like the Order of British Columbia and national frameworks including the Order of Canada, influenced by constitutional roles exemplified by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Early decades saw appointments of leaders connected to Ontario Hydro, Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway, Bank of Montreal, and Scotiabank, alongside cultural figures tied to Stratford Festival, National Ballet of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, Royal Conservatory of Music, and Four Seasons Centre. Over time the roster reflected changes in public life involving actors from Second World War veterans' organizations, advocates associated with Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Ontario Human Rights Commission, and scientists from MaRS Discovery District and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Eligibility and Criteria

Eligibility is accorded to individuals with longstanding association to institutions such as City of Toronto, York University, Queen's University, Ontario Provincial Police, and Toronto District School Board. Criteria emphasize distinction linked to achievements in sectors represented by Canadian Nurses Association, Ontario Teachers' Federation, Law Society of Ontario, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Canadian Institute of Health Research. Nominees often have careers overlapping with entities like Ontario Science Centre, Ontario Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Ontario College of Teachers. The honour excludes foreign heads of state but has recognized contributors connected to international organizations such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, Amnesty International, and Greenpeace.

Nomination and Selection Process

Nominations are submitted by members of the public, including affiliates of Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, CBC News, CTV Television Network, and Global Television Network, and are reviewed by an advisory council modeled on processes used by Advisory Council of the Order of Canada. The selection panel includes representatives drawn from communities linked to Law Society of Ontario, Ontario Medical Association, Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Arts Council, and Ontario Chamber of Commerce. The final appointments are recommended to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and announced in ceremonies that have occurred at venues such as Queen's Park, Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Roy Thomson Hall, and Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Insignia and Post-nominals

The insignia consists of emblems manufactured by firms with histories like Bovet, Birks, or other Canadian silversmiths associated with commissions for Order of Canada. Recipients wear an emblem at formal events hosted by establishments like Rideau Hall and provincial residences affiliated with the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Appointees are entitled to post-nominal letters reflecting provincial convention and traditions similar to those of Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia; many recipients have also held honours from institutions such as Order of Merit or been members of bodies like Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and Canadian Business Hall of Fame.

Notable Members

Appointees have included prominent figures associated with Wayne Gretzky, Margaret Atwood, David Suzuki, Alice Munro, and Michael Ignatieff alongside leaders from George Brown College, Ryerson University, University of Ottawa, McGill University, and Canadian Forces. Other members have ties to organizations such as Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Canadian Football League, Hockey Hall of Fame, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, National Film Board of Canada, Stratford Festival, National Ballet of Canada, and Canadian Opera Company. The list spans scientists connected to University Health Network, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and MaRS Discovery District; activists linked to Ontario Human Rights Commission, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Amnesty International, and Greenpeace; and business leaders from RBC, TD Bank, CIBC, Scotiabank, and Bell Canada.

Administration and Governance

Administration is conducted through offices associated with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and provincial ministries modeled on practices of the Government House of Ontario and coordinated with secretariats such as those serving the Order of Canada advisory bodies. Governance structures involve an advisory council comprising members from institutions including Law Society of Ontario, Ontario Medical Association, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and Ontario Science Centre. Financial, ceremonial, and records functions interface with archives like Archives of Ontario and heritage organizations such as Heritage Toronto and Ontario Heritage Trust.

Category:Civil awards and decorations of Canada