Order of Canada recipients react to their nomination

“Overwhelmed”, “honored” and “grateful” are just some of the reactions of those who were part of the latest round of appointments to the Order of Canada.

Governor General Mary Simon announced the 99 appointees on Thursday.

Among them were NHL star and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, actors Eugene Levy and Victor Jay Garber, astronaut David Saint-Jacques and Harry LaForme, Canada’s first Indigenous Court of Appeal judge.

Retired Olympian and professional soccer player Karina LeBlanc was also one of 99 nominees. LeBlanc appeared in five FIFA World Cups representing Team Canada and competed in two Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the summer of 2012.

LeBlanc was named in recognition of his “contributions to the sport of football worldwide and for his use of football as a tool for social change”.

She took to Twitter to express her reaction to her nomination and said she « couldn’t have dreamed of this honour ».

Another appointee, Timothy Caulfield, who is a professor and author, also spoke to show his gratitude for his nomination.

Caulfield, who is recognized for his work in health law and countering misinformation, thanked his peers and said, « How fortunate to have always been surrounded by incredible, creative and brilliant colleagues.

Bill Namagoose, who is the executive director of the Cree Nation Government, was nominated for his « advancement of Indigenous rights across the country. »

Namagoose thanked the Waskaganish First Nation and the Cree Nation of Northern Quebec on Twitter for « their trust » in him.

The appointees will receive their insignia of the Order of Canada from the Governor General during an investiture ceremony. Details of the ceremony have yet to be released.

Here is the reaction to some of the other people named to the Order of Canada:

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