Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Walter Gretzky named to Order of Canada

Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 12:43 PM EST 28/12/07

Canada's most famous hockey dad leads star-studded list of new appointees, including basketball star Steve Nash, former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour and oilman Jack Irving ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. S P from Canada writes: When will they finally give Don Cherry the Order of Canada? Here is a man that has defined hockey and stood on a pedestal for Canadian values, yet continually gets blanked for the Order of Canada. No one individual has defined the 'Canada' in the Order of Canada in our contemporary history, especially at times when it was not popular to do so. Shame on the people who vote for the inductees for this oversight!
  2. Randal Oulton from Canada writes: >> Deborah Grey, the first MP elected to Parliament for the Reform Party of Canada in 1989.

    This is an apolitical comment, but curious why Deborah Grey. I happen to like her, from what little I know of her, but while the story mentioned why Walter Gretzy, it didn't say why Deborah Grey.
  3. uncle rukus from Mississauga, Canada writes: SP you had me going there for a minute. To think they would give the order to that buffoon would be an a grand joke.
  4. Lyn Alg from Canada writes: I would also highly recommend that an Order of Canada medal be given to Joe Smith for all he has accomplished.
  5. Lyn Alg from Canada writes: Why Ms. Grey you ask? Well, I think it's obvious. Stevie insisted that Debbie receive one. Give your head a shake
  6. Billy Biroux from Polar Bear Pit, Nunavet, Canada writes: You think old Stevie Nash will show up to accept this award? Or will he use the 'too tired' excuse again?
  7. matthew parsons from Canada writes: Wow, only 6 comments before some clown had to have a go at the Conservatives and Steven Harper. Too bad that it is not a record. Personally, I am all for Don Cherry to be honoured. He is more deserving than half the people they give it too, and the only reason he hasn't been honoured thus far is because too many people hink the award is for being a nice person, not for being a Canadian!
  8. Brian Conroy from Oakville, Canada writes: S P - Don Cherry - someone who has routinely taken shots at French Canadian hockey players and who purposely mis-pronounces foreign hockey players' names has no business in the Order of Canada.
  9. S P from Canada writes: uncle ruckus - there are no bigger grand jokes/buffoons than joe clark (what? 30 days as PM), brian mulroney (GST, Schriebergate) and allan eagleson (thief), yet they have all received the Order of Canada. At least Don Cherry can never be accused of receiving $300K in an envelope and not paying the taxes on it!
  10. Bill Kamies from Canada writes: SP. if you want Don Cherry to receive the Order of Canada, perhaps you should nominate him. Inductees only vote on people who have been nominated.
  11. S P from Canada writes: brian conroy - so his biggest crime is he 'routinely taken shots at French Canadian hockey players and who purposely mis-pronounces foreign hockey players' names' WOW! At least he can't be accused of hating English Canada unlike the person who hands out the awards - our beloved Governor General
  12. Raj Rama from Canada writes: Re: 'Rideau Hall announced Walter Gretzky is included on a long list of winners that includes basketball star Steve Nash, former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour and oilman Jack Irving.'
    ----------------------------------------------
    What a great honour for them, public service should be recognized more in our society, these role models do make all Canadians proud!
  13. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Good Afternoon:

    From Sources:

    'The Order of Canada is Canada's highest civilian honour within the Canadian system of honours, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the Order's Latin motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means '(those) desiring a better country'. Created in 1967, the Order was established to recognize the lifetime contributions made by Canadians who made a major difference to Canada. The Order also recognizes efforts made by non-Canadians who have made the world better by their actions.'

    I'll leave it at that, and you can draw your own conclusions on the choices keeping in mind:

    ' lifetime contributions made by Canadians who made a major difference to Canada. MAJOR, being the operative word!

    ' made by non-Canadians who have made the world better by their actions.'
    .
  14. Addie Bundren from Zenith, Canada writes: I'm with Lyn. Joe has been an unsung hero for too long and is highly deserving of this lofty honour. Any thirds?
  15. Orange Latern from Canada writes: For the veiled cheap shot at Steve Nash being 'too tired'. Let's not forget the number of years he actually wore the national jersey. Funny thing is he got better in the NBA when he stopped playing for Canada in the summer.
    As for Cherry, shots at French Canadians, shots at foreigners, shots natives and an encouragement of stupid fights - he's about as deserving as a bag of flaming dog doo.
  16. globefan EH from Canada writes: Billy Biroux...I suggest you explore how much time Steve Nash works for humanitarian efforts in addition to his time spent on the court and in addition to the time he spends travelling.

    How about you..what makes you tired?

    Way to Go Steve Nash..another great Canadian.
  17. Disillusioned Conservative from Canada writes: I think Cherry should get it!
  18. Uncle Fester from Bay and Bloor, Canada writes: Don Cherry has been nominated for the order of Canada, numerous times. He is far more qualified than many past honorees. From his vast charity works, to his successful carreer as a Hockey coach to his being a Canadian hockey media icon he should be a shoe-in. The problem is the advisory council is stacked with liberals, he is not a liberal apologist and is outspoken. Here is an interesting article on the matter.

    http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=5ac7f3a4-3ae3-42e4-9b51-c4369b2ba96c
  19. Jonathon Goodman from Tradition Tradition, Cuba writes: seems to me that choosing Gretsky's dad is a stretch. There are many more deserving Canadians and this irks me to think that he 'might' be getting this as more of a famous dad versus what he actually did for charities. Maybe someone out there has more detail and info on what he actually did for charity but to be honest....I have never heard of his efforts before.

    In good spirit.

    Cheers.
  20. Josua Cord from Canada writes: Seems like the OC is evolving into Canada's People magazine. Entry = celebrity, celebrity = entry.
  21. Mario Lagacé from Canada writes: If the Great One's dad got an Order of Canada, so should Maman Dion, you know, the mother of our singing Great One.... Deserves one just as much. It's the genes....
  22. Bill Needle from Canada writes: It must be the excesses of Christmas that have brought out the idiotic comments on this topic.

    Cherry is an idiot and has only sullied Candada'a reputation. Clarke & Mulroney did good things for their country despite other issues. Mr. Gretzky has done goiod charitable work and is totally deserving.

    The idiots that are criticising have done nothing and have no right to judge.

    Go and sober up you morons.
  23. Bob Beal from Canada writes: I had the opportunity just a few weeks ago to meet Walter Gretzky for the first time. He is a fine gentleman, and quite a raconteur. He is well-known for his charity work. I am glad he got the award.
  24. C M from Canada writes: Walter Gretzky is a good choice. If you have ever been to a Leafs game and seen him giving autographs and pictures continuously through the intermissions, you'll agree. Too bad the players wouldn't be so accomodating.
  25. Ray Heard from Toronto, Canada writes: It is an absolute disgrace that -- yet again! -- the GG, herself a person of colour, has ignored the several nominations of great Canadians of South Asian descent, of whom there are now more than one-million. As Peter C. Newman has chronicled in Maclean's, these members of the New Canadian Establishment have contributed massively to Canada through their philanthrophy in health, education and the arts and their creation of quality jobs in the enterprises they have founded, often after arriving here virtually penniless. The OC is a club for mainly old whites. What a shame!!!
  26. Canadian Patriot from United States writes: Ya, Don Cherry. Great pick. We should all be proud of our uneducated, red-neck, merchant of Canadian-stereotypes, loud-mouth, meathead tv personality. Just because someone is entertaining to watch doesn't mean they should be honoured with a prestigious award. I mean Bozo the Clown is entertaining to watch too. If Cherry is someone who makes Canadians feel proud, then I wonder it what people are feeling proud about is worth any pride? If anything, he should be seen as a role model for kids as someone NOT to emulate. That is, don't be like Don Cherry - get yourself an education, learn how to be polite and sincere with others, and learn to understand other people. All Cherry ever does is encourage brutality, promote agression and alcoholism (you know, his 'pops'). How anyone can suggest that this is deserving of recognition outside of a frathouse, is beyond me. Grow up Canada.
  27. Kyle La from Toronto, Canada writes: Wow, he didn't even give birth to the great one! Just provided the serum...they're giving these awards to anyone now. However, he does seem like a really genuine chap, so good for Walt i guess.
  28. Comments are Closed from Toronto, Canada writes: The Order of Canada became largely a popularity contest long ago. It's too bad so many hacks or political toadies stand alongside those that truly deserve the recognition. Yeah, Don Cherry and Ben Mulroney. Go for it. It doesn't mean much to this Canadian anyway. Seems anyone with the CBC 25 years or sold one gold record automatically gets one.
  29. C C from Canada writes: Cheap low blow on Steve Nash there.

    I remember watching the Canadian national basketball team in the 2000 Olympics and the only reason they even deserved to be on that world stage was Nash. It was basically him and 10 other scrubs versus the world. I'm amazed that the team even qualified in the first place.
  30. B G from Toronto, Canada writes: hmm...C M, I'd have to disagree. Seeing him sign autographs at intermission isn't sufficient to make me think he deserves the Order of Canada.

    I've never punched anyone in the face. Does that mean I deserve one too?
  31. shoshana berman from Canada writes: Its a sad day for the Order of Canada to have cheapened it this much. Walter Gretsky is a nice man I'm sure, but being the father of someone famous who chose to leave Canada really is not an appropriate reason to give him this honour. There are thousands of Canadians who have done more charity work than this man with no Order of Canada. Well I guess it used to be an honour, now its just cheap populism. They might as well hand them out on entertainment tonight and get Ben Mulrouney to do it.
  32. earl pearl from Canada writes: No doubt Toronto will get out the vote to get Don Cherry the OC one day. Shame that. After all, it's the city that named a street after Judy Sgro , who's only contribution to Canada has been campaign scandals and Strippergate.
  33. Rt. Revd. Malachy Egan from Halifax, Canada writes: And to Josephine Public, who quietly served God and her neighbour, while keeping a low profile, a Canadian who gave generously and anonymously and touched all who knew her: NOTHING.

    You see, it's what she didn't do: she wasn't a political hack, a sports star or a member of the old boys and girls club!

    Is she disappointed? NO! If harper had given her one she would have sent it back!
  34. Alan F. from Vancouver, Canada writes: Jack Irving? What a joke! In order to be included in his fathers will, he and his brithers, had to agree to not live in Canada so that they, like their father, would not have to pay Canadian Income Tax. He a great Canadian? Give me a break! He must contribute to the Reform-Alliance party in a big way! What a mockery of the intent of the Order of Canada and an insult to all hard working Canadians who live here and pay their taxes. Disgraceful.
  35. John Ishmael from Brampton ON, Canada writes: What a marvelous recognition for former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour
    being named to the top rank of Companion of the Order — the country's highest civilian honour. Ms Arbour the UN high commissioner for human rights is a person of courage, fairness and humanity. And the same for Another human-rights activist, Alex Neve of Amnesty International, named to the next-highest rank of Officer of the Order.
  36. David Elliott from Canada writes: Randal Oulton at 12:18 pm
    ---------------------

    This is a quotation from the Governor General's office press release.

    --------------------
    Deborah Grey, O.C.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Officer of the Order of Canada
    For her distinguished record of public service and for her advocacy on behalf of youth and
    education, as a foster parent, teacher, parliamentarian and public speaker.
  37. J L from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: Well in all do respect to Ms Grey and Mr Gretzsky who may be fine citizens, a good father of a famous hockey player and Ms Grey may have been the first women member of the Reform Party and all that.Interesting, but hardly worthy of such a honour of receiving the Order of Canada.Shame on the government, or the Governor General for what appears ,on the face of it to be diminishing of such a highly respected honour by their choices of these two recipients.
  38. Mo Monk from Canada writes: Walter Gretzky... sperm donor, order of Canada. Has a nice ring to it, don't ya think?
  39. Frank Costanza from Del Boca Vista, Canada writes: DON CHERRY. He s the only one who has the tennis balls to tell Quebec what the rest of the country really thinks. What about Gordie Howe's father. Or Stompin Tom Connors father. Jerome the Giraffe should be there.Pinball Clemons father.Mike Weirs father.Or just nominate sperm and that ll take care of everything.
  40. B Todd from Canada writes: This is simply confirmation that another totally useless self-serving 'institution' has been created. This is embarassing.
  41. Vince Mayne from Outside of Toronto, Canada writes: A Hearty congratulations! An untarnished image from the heartland of Canadian Hockey!
  42. NR Connor from TO, Canada writes: For the most part, I have nothing against the recipients of the order of Canada, either this time, or previously.

    BUT, also for the most part, I do not understand why they are chosen for this award. Generally, they seem to be people who follow their own inclinations, serve thier own interests, and do their jobs with reasonable competence. Walter Gretzy taught his son hockey. Steve Nash is a good basketball player and makes an excellent living at it. Ms. Arbour is a knowledgeable lawyer who has served competently in the roles she has been assigned. Okay.

    Can someone please explain why any of that is worthy of special recognition? I know excellent plumbers, cooks, sailors, and farmers who have taught their kids hockey, made a good living, and carried out their jobs competently and no-one has offered them the order of Canada. What, pray tell, is the order of Canada recognition of?
  43. steve allan from Welland, Ontario, Canada writes: Why?
  44. Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    Isn't it a little odd that sperm gets the Order of Canada?

    Wasn't there an egg involved as well?
  45. paul gill from Canada writes: Hmmmm.....let's not begrudge anyone who receives the Order, but I do note that there are other truly great Canadians who did not ever receive the award (principally because they died long before the Order was created in 1967). To my recollection, notable members of the 'dead before it counted' category include Dr. Frederick Banting (Nobel Prize winner in medicine), Dr. Norman Bethune (Canadian Medical Hall of Fame), pilots Billy Barker and Billy Bishop (Victoria Cross winners), Dr. Emily Stowe (first Canadian woman to practice medicine in Canada), Pauline Johnson (poet), and Laura Secord (Canada's 'Paul Revere'). Now, if Don Cherry is NOT a member of the Order, but can legitimately include himself in the above class (for simply being a great Canadian, and not for possibly becoming dead before his time) then he is doing okay (as are a significant number of Canadians who are doing great works every day, but will never get nominated to the Order because they were not ever written up in Maclean's magazine). To my thinking, the list of people who should be Order recipients but who are not will always be much longer than the list of people who are, so we should make a new category: Great Canadians Who Should be Order Recipients But Who Are Not. There, I'm done. I think I'll go have another drink. Happy New Year to you all, winners, losers, wannabe's and nobody's. May we all have a better 2008!
  46. Beleaguered Middle-Class from Canada writes: B G from Toronto, Canada writes: hmm...C M, I'd have to disagree. Seeing him sign autographs at intermission isn't sufficient to make me think he deserves the Order of Canada.

    I've never punched anyone in the face. Does that mean I deserve one too?

    Correct. He may be a great guy, but so was my dad, and he did many charitable works too. I suppose greatness breeds fame. Oh well, good for him!
  47. John McCaffery from Australia writes: Congratulations to Walter for this honour. Walter has been a role model and inspiration to millions - not a more deserving recipient of the Order of Canada.
  48. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: All good nominees But I question why Deborah Grey would be one, As they say the first women from the reform party to be elected to Canada,
    I mean is that really an achievement?
    I mean she ran for it, it was a possibility that she would get and she did.
    What else has she done?
    If we give the recognition to people that get elected as MPs where is this going.
    I am not playing a partisan, just looking for the truth and understanding.
  49. col debeers from Sudbury, Canada writes: Unfortunately these latest appointees completely discredits and proves that the Order of Canada has become completely irrelevant. The Order of Canada is 'Canada's highest civilian honour'. Membership should be reserved for great persons who were committed to the betterment of society and made contributions that led to better lives in Canada and or globally. Neither Walter or Wayne has done anything besides provide for some hockey records which are very trivial when we look at the bigger picture. Becoming a professional athlete and living the life of a millionaire hardly justifies the Order of Canada. Having Walter Gretzky or Wayne or Steve Nash for that matter unfairly taints deserving members such as Terry Fox.
  50. Gary Thomson from Surrey, BC, Canada writes: A giant raspberry for the Order of Canada. The vast majority of the appointments are for people whose careers already come with substantial intrinsic rewards. Rewarding the scion of a wealthy clan for philanthropy, a successful CEO for making a fortune, a political hack, or a famous entertainer renders the honours elitist and diminishes their societal value. They should be used to honour ordinary Canadians who do extrordinary things, not vice versa.
  51. Andrew Chong from Toronto, Canada writes: Walter Gretzky is a good example of how someone managed to put celebrity to good use.

    Obviously, he would not have achieved as much if he had not fathered Wayne, but he used the association to enhance his charatible works. Other people might have used such associations for personal profit.
  52. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: I think they should get a new Committee for this honour; they need to heed the criteria and do a bit more research. Start by forgetting hockey and other sports: what about authors, scientists including researchers, academia successes and other intellectual and -maybe- others of highly cultural pursuits. Let us raise the whole tone of the process, if that were possible?
  53. Peter Kells from Bytown, Canada writes: And what about Gordie Howe's Dad, or Rocket Richard's Dad - where does it end? As far as the charity work - why don't they open up the Order to every charity worker in Canada? I have met many people in my lifetime who I thought deserved a medal for their good works but unfortunately they did not sire the Great One.
  54. S. Ives from Ottawa, Canada writes: http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5252

    For those whose interests lie beyond Don Cherry, Walter Gretzky (a worthy receipient), and Steve Nash (equally worthy), here is the link to the Governor General's OC list.

    Note that the citations for each is provided about a third of the way down the page (Annex 'A').

    Also note that the jurors are listed at the bottom (Annex 'B').

    I am somewhat disappointed that this news is not above the fold.

    Greetings to R. Carriere and David Elliott, both of whom appear to have looked beyond this article for the real meat.
  55. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Someone please tell me what Walter Gretzky did to deserve one of Canada's highest civilian honours - besides be a great dad to a famous hockey player.

    He's quite obviously a very nice man, great father, grandfather, and hockey man. But the Order of Canada?

    And Don Cherry? Please.
  56. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    And please don't give me the 'he does community and charity work' thing.

    There's a retired guy on my block that volunteers for the CNIB about 50 hours a week. He lives in a dingy little apartment and has a meagre pension. And his son isn't a billionaire. Where's his medal?
  57. Flames Forever from Canada writes: Yvonne, more highly cultural nominees for the OC instead of sports figures...hmm make sure they are very politically correct too.. we can't have public figures who appeal to the masses the OC....they must be above that...excuse me while I drag my knuckles back to the hockey game and worship Don Cherry
  58. John Smith from Canada writes: Ricky for a Centrist Canada, surely you realize that this is essentially about elites praising each other. Many are political hacks. Some of those nominated and selected are deserving of special recognition - a large number are not. Conrad Black was selected in 1990!!! Talk about diminishing the value of recognition. Maybe one can identify the truly great Canadians by the lack of such an award.

    Larry Tanenbaum a great Canadian. Give me a break.

    Suggest you nominate your neighbour next year and see what happens.
  59. John Smith from Canada writes: I say nominate John Ferguson Junior who has done a great deal to unite this great country of ours. GTA is united in seeing him fired, the rest of the country is united in laughter. Not that is a worthy accomplishment (though admitedly an accomplishment much repeated since 1967).
  60. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    I suspect if Walter Gretzky met my neighbour, he'd feel the way I feel.

    Nothing against Mr. G, just wondering what the OC is supposed to stand for.
  61. Josua Cord from Canada writes: If Walter gets it so should Dave Semenko.
  62. NR Connor from TO, Canada writes: OILMAN JACK IRVING GOT THE ORDER OF CANADA!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!!?

    WTF FOR?????
  63. V K from Toronto, Canada writes: I vote for Lonny Bohonos, the greatest Maple Leaf ever!
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonny_Bohonos
  64. NR Connor from TO, Canada writes: John Smith from Canada writes: ... surely you realize that this is essentially about elites praising each other.

    ==================

    Excellent comment Mr. Smith. You should go to Ottawa.

    The more I read and think about this 'honour' the more hollow and specious it appears. Conrad Black FFS! A guy who finagled a couple of old widows for his first and then drove an operating company into bankruptcy to scoop the pension funds and finally sold parts of the public company he controlled to himself at bargain prices. Fantastic.

    Doesn't Mulroney also have an order of Canada? Nominated by Dr. Strauss of Austria's proto-fascist movement, I suppose.

    The order of Canada is a disgrace.
  65. Cup of Tea from Canada writes: . S P from Canada. Don Cherry? Canadian values? Yeah right. I guess if we all liked goose stepping, homophobia and racists. Please, Canadian values.
  66. leo bloom from radisson, sask,, Canada writes: I sat beside Mr Gretzky a couple of years ago on a flight from Toronto to Calgary - he was on his way to a charity golf tourney. From the time we were airborne until we hit the tarmack, I'm sure almost everyone on the plane talked to him. People wanted him to meet their kids - all future hockey stars, there were pictures and videos and it went on and on and Mr Gretzky was just a prince. He took the time to talk to everyone who wanted - shook hands, signed autographs, hugged the hockey moms...class act all the way around. So maybe he doesn't have Irving's money, but he does have something that most of us can only hope for - decency.
    And, hey, how about that Clara Hughes, eh? She's just a walking, talking symbol of what it means to be good and gracious. She's the Canadian I'd most like to meet. That's my two cents. Peace.
  67. John McCaffery from Australia writes: It seems to me that the Order of Canada is given to those contributing to nation building. Walter meets the bar as an extraordinary father, husband and role model to millions. Have some people forgotten what builds a nation? I do not know what kind of father or husband Don Cherry is, but being a wonderful commercial TV/radio commentator, at least in my mind, is not nation building.
  68. Etienne Forest from Japan writes: Mr. Gretzky? He gave himself the reason why his getting the award is a farce. He said that in Belarus a commoner would never have a chance. And yet he got it through reverse heredity.

    It is really a cheapening of the award. His son? Sure. Him????
  69. Michael Tripper from Canada writes: wow sports drones - yeah that'll class things up.

    canuckistan - what a nation....
  70. Peter Kells from Bytown, Canada writes: Mr. John McCaffery - I always thought that my father was 'an extraordinary father, husband and role model'. Should I nominate him for the Order?
  71. John McCaffery from Australia writes: Peter Kells - Why not? Your dad probably deserves it - in fact, let all dedicated dads share this honour with Walter! Anyway, what do we need more of today, extraordinary fathers or TV commentators? What makes Wayne great is not simply his hockey skills, but the whole person - Wayne has always stood out as someone nurtured on a solid foundation - it does not happen by accident.

    We under estimate the importance of motherhood and fatherhood. Consider that Hitler was not loved by his mother or father - compare that to Churchill who had extraordinary parents. Another example, Queen Elizabeth II would have had more positive impact on the UK and securing the reign of the Monarchy long-term if she had dedicated her life to raising her children (role model) as opposed to cutting ribbons and breaking Champaign bottles against ships!
  72. Joe V from Canada writes: This makes no sense to me. It is difficult justifying giving the Order of Canada to any athlete, let alone their father. In the end all Gretzky did was provide entertainment -- sure, entertainment is nice, but in the grand scheme of things it is an entirely insignificant contribution to the people of this nation.

    There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Canadians who do more to benefit others every day.
  73. rick from river city from Canada writes: maybe CBC can get the Liberals to ask the government why Cherry has been denied the OofC... worked last time.

    Walter Gretzky typifies the honest, hard-working middle class Canadian that creates more value in our home communities and neigbourhoods than any politician, or appointee handing them an award. The OfC is not above such fine Canadians.
  74. Delta J from are we in Sanity, Ontario, yet?, Canada writes: I can't help but ask myself when they'll give the Order of Canada to my dog. She has provided a Canadian citizen, me, with an unwavering record of companionship for all 11 years of her life.

    Doesn't that kind of private service from a canine merit the same kind of recognition that a hockey dad is getting for providing private coaching services to his son for a comparable period of time?

    Granted, I've never been The Great Animal Enthusiast One and doubt I ever will.
  75. John McCaffery from Australia writes: I take back my comment regarding Churchill – it was not a good example.
  76. rick from river city from Canada writes: Delta j. Your comments are an insult to the thousands of unselfish Canadians who volunteer countless hours over their lifetime to make local amateur sports available to young Canadians in small towns and communities across this country. For these people it is not just about their children (unlike you and your mutt). These great Canadians ask for nothing in return but I insist you at least give them the respect due.
  77. James C. from Chaozhou, Guangdong, China writes: 'paul gill from Canada writes: Hmmmm.....let's not begrudge anyone who receives the Order, but I do note that there are other truly great Canadians who did not ever receive the award (principally because they died long before the Order was created in 1967). To my recollection, notable members of the 'dead before it counted' category include Dr. Frederick Banting (Nobel Prize winner in medicine), Dr. Norman Bethune (Canadian Medical Hall of Fame), pilots Billy Barker and Billy Bishop (Victoria Cross winners)'

    ----------

    these great canadians have all been recognized by being awarded other decorations/prizes, so i wouldnt say they've been neglected at all. besides, opening the door to posthumous Orders of Canada (if thats what you are suggesting) would only be a schmozzle and create all kinds of animosity at who should or shouldnt be inducted.
  78. Wave Rider from Salish Sea, Canada writes: My only question is: why? Giving old Walt the order of Canada makes about as much sense as having the governor general, Queen's representative. None!
  79. Liliana la torre from mississauga, Canada writes: I have friends who do much charitable work and will never be recognized. I do not understand why Walter Gretsky gets such an honour. The order of Canada should be given on one's own merit and not for being the father of 'the great one'. Come on now, there are plently of more deserving Canadians. June Callwood..... yes... I know of her many charitable works, but I do not associate Mr. Gretsky with a lifetime of charitable activity.
  80. b mac from Canada writes: I suppose just getting noticed by the CBC is all one really needs to win this award. Maybe we should just change the name of the Order of Canada to the CBC awards?
  81. Liliana la torre from mississauga, Canada writes: It is true that many volunteers contribute countless hours to amateur sports, BUT it has been my experience from when my sons were playing soccer, that it was many of the 'dads' coaching and when their children were no longer playing, they did not coach any longer. Also, for those who love sport, coaching is a way to have fun. They are not working in a street mission for the disadvantaged.
  82. Hugh May from Khon Kaen, Thailand writes: I am confused why the late Murray Dryden (father of Ken) was never recognized with the Order of Canada for all his work. He co-founded with his wife the wonderful grass roots charity Sleeping Children Around the World. I guess Ken's talent wasn't in the same league was Wayne's.
  83. James C. from Chaozhou, Guangdong, China writes: 'Liliana la torre from mississauga, Canada writes: I have friends who do much charitable work and will never be recognized. I do not understand why Walter Gretsky gets such an honour. '

    ----------

    it would be nice to recognize all that do good work, but its simply not possible. its a judgement call on some of them i suppose. maybe theyre all good choices, but they could make some better ones....
  84. John Smith from Canada writes: Come on rick from river city from Canada writes: are you saying there are no other 'honest, hard-working middle class Canadian that creates more value in our home communities and neigbourhoods'? This is a show and being in the headlines is what counts and the reason for being in the headlines is not for being 'honest, hard-working middle class Canadian' it is for being Wayne Gretsky's dad and doing some charitable work (many Canadians qualify on the latter but not the former)

    Ditto leo bloom from radisson, sask, have you never sat beside a nice person of a plane before? Is the Order of Canada about nice people on planes? Good god, then open the floodgates because there are lots of good people in this country.

    The meek shall inherit the earth but they won't get the Order of Canada (they are too busy being good people, not seeking headlines or praise).
  85. Jim Shepherd from Lima, Peru writes: True, few have ever declined the Order of Canada.

    I could probably make better choices than hockey players and donut salesmen, but then, I am not resident for tax purposes in Canada. Best Regards.
  86. John Smith from Canada writes: I am sure Peru must have some sort of elitist award Jim Shepherd from Lima. The Order of Paddington Bear? (who as we all know was from Peru before immigrating to England) I guess Paddington was ok with paying taxes. ;-)
  87. steve allan from Canada writes: John McCaffery from Australia --

    Churchill had great parents? What, an alcoholic and drug addicted
    father who died of syphilis and an adulteress mother who was sold
    for $2.5 million by her father? That's what you call 'great'?

    You must be one of that dying breed of people who still has his head
    full of silly anglophilic myths that bear no resemblence to reality.

    Poor you.
  88. Some Guy from Canada writes: Another year, another OfC set of award winners, another collection of whining over who didn't deserve it from people who haven't a clue what they do. Every year someone complains Don Cherry didn't win. Personally, I wouldn't want to go into the corner boards with Don after suggesting either Walter or Steve didn't deserve the award.

    I have no problem with Deborah Grey or Walter Gretsky or Steve Nash winning the award. They have all served Canada well. Many of these people who won I do not know, but if you check out the link S. Ives provided you will find many people who also won for their charity work.

    Maybe your friend/neighbour who does just as much but hasn't won, hasn't won because posters here who know what they do are too lazy to get off their collective butts and nominate them.
  89. John Smith from Canada writes: James C. from Chaozhou, Guangdong, China, I guess you are not catching the flavour of the postings. Many people already view the Order of Canada nomination and selection process as 'a schmozzle' in which people who are often nasty, selfish and in the eyes of a decent person rather undeserving of any acknowledgement. When the Order of Canada acknowledges decency, then I think most Canadians can get on board with that defintion of greatness. Jack Irving? Larry Tanenbaum? Conrad Black???? (It took a court conviction and public pressure before they stripped Alan Eagleson of his Order and hopefully Connie is next).
  90. John Smith from Canada writes: Steve Durocher from Windsor, Ontario, Keep rocking you fascist bigot and maybe you can enter the Order of Canada too.
  91. Steve Durocher from Windsor, Ontario, Canada writes: Response to John Smith

    Where's the fascism and bigotry?!!!!!!
  92. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Steve - you're clueless and dangerous.

    STFU.
  93. John Smith from Canada writes: Thanks Rick, I was tempted to answer but that would not have been the intelligent thing to do.
  94. Steve Durocher from Windsor, Ontario, Canada writes: Response to Ricky for a Centrist Canada

    Dangerous, yes
    Clueless, I guess so since I don't own the board game. nyuck, nyuck, nyuck!

    A 'Centrist'?!
    Whatever floats your boat I guess.
  95. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Steve = ignorant troll.

    Buh bye.
  96. Steve Durocher from Windsor, Ontario, Canada writes: Response to Ricky for a Centrist Canada

    'Steve = ignorant troll'
    Because I don't drink your kool-aid I suspect.
    Bwahahahaha!!!!!!!
  97. Steve Durocher from Windsor, Ontario, Canada writes: The oblivious and appeasing Louise Arbour.
    No Order of Canada for this one.

    http://www.wfafi.org/E-ZanVol40.htm
    'Louise Arbour traveled to Iran to attend a Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conference on human rights and cultural diversity.
    One can only wonder how Louise Arbour, neglected to acknowledge the atrocities taken place in Iran. While families of victims and political prisoners desperately tried to meet with her during her trip, she enjoyed an orchestrated visit with fundamentalist leaders in Tehran.The day after Arbour left Iran, Ahmadinejad's regime hanged 21 people. On September 5, the Amnesty International said that it is 'appalled at the reports of the execution of 21 people.'
    Ironically, her trip also coincided with the one year anniversary of women's campaign to gather 'One Million Signatures' on gender discrimination in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Some of the organizers of this campaign are still in prison. Of course, they never got a visit from Louise Arbour, nor did the families of victims and political prisoners.

    With the state-sponsored escalated violence against women, public hangings, arbitrary arrests and crackdowns, Arbour's visit was adding salt to injury for Iranian people, particularly women!'
  98. paul gill from Canada writes: Hey 'James C. from Chaozhou, Guangdong, China', I was only trying to be facetious. I am certainly NOT advocating for a 'posthumous' category to the Order. The point that I was trying to make is that it is important to do good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds, and that it is merely a bonus if one is later remembered for having done them. There are many, many Canadians who have done great deeds for the country, and for humanity, and their greatness is not diminished simply because they toiled in anonymity, or that they couldn't/didn't qualify for the Order. The Order, like so many public service awards before it has become a form of political patronage, such that even the worthy get tarred by the specious awarding to the 'less-than-worthy'. Great people will continue to do great things, and most of them will do so without any thought of getting called to the Order. For the 'less-than-worthy' however, the Order will always be a big deal. So, my question becomes this: who really cares who gets called to the Order, and who doesn't? Or to put it another way: how could the bestowing of the Order on anyone make a particle of difference to anyone? Isn't that what it really comes down to? I for one feel pretty good knowing that I belong to the same club as Dr. Banting, Dr. Bethune, and the others that I listed in my earlier post (that would be the 'couldn't get the Order no matter how hard they tried' club). Now, to be sure nobody is going to ever confuse me with Dr.'s Banting and Bethune, but at least we have that one little thing in common.............................
  99. Slippery Slope from Canada writes: Deborah Grey???? Deborah Grey???? The same liar who promised not to opt into the overly generous pensions for MP. And, then she opted into the overly generous pensions for MPs? We give Orders of Canada to LIARS?
  100. Yogie Bear from The Forest, Canada writes:
    Boo Boo should get the Order of Canada before these people.

    Thank you
  101. Yogie Bear from The Forest, Canada writes:
    Slippery Slope, if they exempted liars, than no politician would get the award even though it seems the standard is pretty low now.

    Thank you
  102. Yogie Bear from The Forest, Canada writes:
    John Smith from Canada ( Posted 29/12/07 at 12:27 AM EST )
    Right you are.

    Thank you