Gord Downie to be Appointed to the Order of Canada

When the last list of people to be appointed to the Order of Canada came out at the end of the last year, many were surprised that Gord Downie’s name wasn’t included. Given that there had been quite a national clamor and a petition or two to make this happen, the confusion was understandable. But a little digging discovered that the whole process lags about six months behind reality. Government, right?

Now, though, as we head towards July 1, the first investiture of the 2017 (there are two: June-ish and the end of December), will include Gord and indigenous activist Sylvie Maracle.  Gord will be named a member of the Order of Canada while Maracle will be made an officer.

What’s the difference between a “member” and an “officer?” The first is for local and regional contributions in a special field while the latter involves national service or achievement. Both are being recognized for their support of indigenous issues.

The other members of the Hip will be honoured for their contributions to Canadian music and social and environmental causes sometime in the future.