Order of Ottawa inductees announced
Posted Nov 15, 2012 11:04:57 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, Ont. – Mayor Jim Watson has announced the names of those being inducted into the first Order of Ottawa.
A formal ceremony will be held at Ottawa City Hall on November 22 to honour the 15 inductees with the prestigious civic award.
Those chosen for the honour made the list because of their contributions in many areas of city life including business, community service, communications and media, as well as arts and culture.
The 15 inductees were chosen by a selection committee including Mayor Jim Watson, City Clerk, Solicitor, Chief of Police, Chief of Protocol, City Archivist, and the CEO of Library Services.
Here is a rundown of this year’s recipients:
Moe Atallah
A successful restaurant owner and well-known philanthropist, having raised hundreds of
thousands of dollars for local charities. He is also co-founder, along with the late Canadian journalist Earl
McRae, of the Elvis Sighting Society, a philanthropic organization that donates generously to many fine, local
institutions.
Dr. John Bell
Bell’s research first brought him to Ottawa in the early 1980’s. Today he heads the prestigious
Canadian Oncolytic Virus Consortium in addition to his many responsibilities at the University of Ottawa and
The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Center and Research Institute.
Paul Benoit
Benoit became the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa International Airport
Authority in 1996 and has been instrumental in putting Ottawa on the map of the international aviation industry. For members of the Canadian Forces, he has ensured appropriate recognition for their service,
spearheading the initiative to make the airport’s VIP lounge available for families to reunite with their injured
loved ones who had just been airlifted home from Afghanistan.
Hélène Campbell
Campbell has accomplished much in a very short period of time while exemplifying courage, even at the very
real cost of her own life. Her story has helped shine the light on organ and tissue donations as she looked beyond her own
difficult situation to help and inspire others.
Jim Durrell
Has served his community through public office, private business, community building, volunteering and fundraising. He is well known for his significant contribution as Mayor of the City of Ottawa from 1985 until retiring from
public office in 1991. During his tenure he was very involved in the promotion of professional sports in Ottawa,
securing an NHL franchise, a triple-A baseball team and the 1988 Grey Cup.
Allison Fisher
A community builder and social justice advocate dedicated to creating a safe space where First Peoples can live and celebrate their cultures. As the Executive Director of the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, serving more than 10,000 Aboriginal people through its culturally-based health programs and services every year, Ms. Fisher brings together
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to build healthy and inclusive communities.
Robert Gillett
During his 16-year tenure as President of Algonquin College, the third largest college in Ontario, Mr. Gillett championed the interests of a student population. A fervent believer in empowering people for success through education, he guided the college through a period of exceptional growth and demand for relevant programming.
Marc Jolicoeur
Regional Managing Partner of the Ottawa office of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and a wellknown and respected community advocate. He is also the second longest serving Chairman in the University of Ottawa’s history.
Terry Kelly
Kelly is retired from Defence Construction Canada and is a consummate professional engineer. Kelly has served the citizens of West Carleton and the City of Ottawa for the past 40 years as a volunteer firefighter. During this time he has served his community at parades, schools, fundraisers, fairs and provided education and support to a generation of community-oriented volunteers.
Russell Mills
In his current role as Chair of the National Capital Commission, his steadfast belief in the national mandate to serve Canadians, and his desire to improve the region for residents and visitors alike is always at the forefront. He is the former Editor and Publisher of the Ottawa Citizen and President of the Southam Newspaper Group.
Diane Morrison
Morrison is the Executive Director of The Ottawa Mission and an advocate for homeless men and women across the city. Under her leadership, the Ottawa Mission has been transformed from a men’s shelter to a multi-service organization.
Gisèle Richer
For more than 40 years, Gisèle Richer has been contributing to the well-being of the community through her
involvement in various areas of activity, particularly Francophone and women’s rights, health, and education.
Nazira Naz Tareen
Nazira Naz Tareen immigrated to Canada from India and is the founder and former long-time President of The Ottawa Muslim Women’s Organization, an organization established in 2001 dedicated to fostering and maintaining relationships amongst the diverse elements of Ottawa.
Christine Tremblay
The founder and Executive Director of the AOE Arts Council. For more than 20 years, she has been working to enhance the cultural life of Ottawa through her experience in organizational and community development, strategic planning, lobbying, fundraising and partnership development.
Sara Vered
The recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa, she is a great friend to institutions of higher learning in the National Capital Region, as well as the National Arts Centre. In addition, Sara’s commitment to the University of Ottawa’s Heart Institute has had an impact on the evolution of the Heart Institute.
Don Campbell – Brian Kilrea Award
Campbell is this year’s worthy recipient of the Brian Kilrea Award for excellence in amateur coaching. He began his coaching career with the McKellar Park Phillies with the purpose of enriching the lives of amateur baseball players. With over 37 years of volunteering, he has successfully assisted countless players in securing athletic scholarships, and by extension, some major league careers. He is also a sports reporter with the Ottawa Citizen.
Click here for more information on the Order of Ottawa.
