Governor General Mary Simon's office announced a new cohort of appointments to the Order of Canada on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with nine distinguished Quebecers among the 80 Canadians honoured. The prestigious national order recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to community, and service to the nation.
Prominent Quebec Honourees Span Diverse Fields
The list of Quebec recipients showcases excellence across sectors, from groundbreaking medical research to steadfast advocacy for community services. Notably, Simon Brault, the former director of the Canada Council for the Arts, received a promotion within the order. Having previously been named an Officer, he was elevated to the rank of Companion, the highest tier of the Order of Canada. His tenure was marked by a focus on democratizing arts funding and supporting Indigenous and diverse artists.
In the realm of health sciences, cancer researcher Anne-Marie Mes-Masson was appointed an Officer. Her significant discoveries in ovarian and prostate cancer, alongside her pivotal role in developing biobanks for research, earned her the national honour. She is affiliated with the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM).
Advocate Jean Robert, longtime chair of the Central Quebec School Board, was named a Member of the Order. He was recognized for his commitment to education and advocacy for English-language services in Quebec, as well as his work promoting bilingual health services and chairing the National Battlefields Commission.
Other Quebecers Recognized for Their Contributions
The cohort includes several other notable figures from the province. Federico Rosei, a nanotechnology specialist and professor, was appointed an Officer for his impactful work in renewable energy, particularly solar technology. Recently retired Transportation Safety Board Chair Kathleen Fox of Gatineau was named a Member for her vital contributions to transportation safety and for mentoring women in aviation.
Writer and academic Hans-Jürgen Greif was designated a Member for enriching migrant literature and promoting multilingualism in Quebec. Prominent businessman and philanthropist James William Hewitt, chair of the Hewitt Foundation, was honoured for his support of education, healthcare, and community development in Eastern Canada.
Art historian Martha Langford, a Concordia University professor credited with helping establish photography as a discipline in Canada, was named a Member. Finally, Cindy Schwartz, founder of Montreal's Les Muses performing arts school for neurodivergent adults, was appointed a Member for fostering representation and empowering artists.
A National Honour Reflecting Canadian Excellence
The Order of Canada appointments are the result of recommendations from an independent advisory committee, with the Governor General serving as the order's chancellor. The December 31st announcement also highlighted prominent appointees from outside Quebec, including music journalist Nardwuar the Human Serviette and Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse.
The recognition of these nine Quebecers underscores the province's profound contributions to Canada's cultural, scientific, and social fabric. Their collective work in arts leadership, medical innovation, safety, education, and community building exemplifies the high ideals of the Order of Canada. The full list of 2025 appointees is available on the Governor General's official website.
