They Desire a Better Country/Ils dsirent une patrie meilleure

(Hardback, Bilingual edition)

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Twice a year, in summer and in winter, appointments to the Order of Canada are posted in newspapers across the country. The range of professions represented is often dizzying, but there are common themes in the choices: excellence, service to the nation, passion, innovation, commitment, dedication, brilliance. The orders motto effectively captures the generous and selfless spirit of these people: Desiderantes meliorem patriamthey desire a better country.

The Order of Canadaour nations highest honourwas launched fifty years ago in 1967 by then-Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. Since then, almost seven thousand Canadians have received the award for service to their communities, to the nation and, in some cases, to the world.

To celebrate the Order of Canadas fiftieth anniversary in 2017, the Rideau Hall Foundation commissioned this exceptional book with the aim of encouraging Canadians to learn about some of the remarkable individuals who have garnered this prestigious award. And although this book captures only a handful of their stories, it is a reflection of the inspiration all Order of Canada members bestow upon us.

Youll meet luminaries and unheralded wave-makers alike, of every age, from coast to coast to coast, and marvel at the breathtaking diversity of their achievements. You may learn things about celebrated individuals that you didnt know before, and be introduced to extraordinary people whose names and work are unfamiliar, but who nonetheless have made a lasting impact.

Choosing recipients for the Order of Canada is an elaborate process. Any citizen can nominate another citizen. Every year, between four hundred and six hundred names are filed with the Chancellery of Honours, the branch of the Governor Generals office that oversees the selection process. Members of the Order are recognized for their contributions at a local or regional level. Officers of the Order earn it for service or accomplishment at the national level. And Companions of the Order are recognized for pre-eminent service with international impact.

In 1967, though, one of the biggest obstacles to the creation of the Order of Canada was its design. What would it look like The graphic designer whose job it was to create the insignia for the Order nervously pondered his weighty assignment. One afternoon, as he walked out from his office, it started to snow. As every Canadian knows, its impossible to walk through falling snow without snowflakes hitting you in the eye. He was suddenly struck with inspiration and the snowflake insignia was born.

The next time you see someone wearing the distinctive snowflake lapel pin, ask them about their storyit will be as fascinating and inspiring as any of those told in this book, and it will serve as a reminder of all that is good and great about the place we call our home and native land.

Deux fois par an, en t et en hiver, les nominations lOrdre du Canada sont publies dans les journaux du pays. Lventail des professions reprsentes a de quoi donner le tournis, mais lon dgage des thmes communs dans les choix qui sont faits : lexcellence, le service la nation, la passion, linnovation, le dvouement, lintelligence. La devise de lOrdre capte lesprit de gnrosit et daltruisme des rcipiendaires : Desiderantes meliorem patriam ils dsirent une patrie meilleure.

LOrdre du Canada, la distinction honorifique la plus prestigieuse de notre nation, a t cr il y a cinquante ans, en 1967, par le premier ministre Lester B. Pearson. Depuis, prs de sept milles Canadiens en ont t investis, en reconnaissance des services rendus leur communaut, la nation ou au monde.

Pour clbrer le cinquantime anniversaire de lOrdre du Canada, en 2017, la Fondation Rideau Hall a command ce livre exceptionnel afin dencourager les Canadiens en apprendre davantage sur les rcipiendaires remarquables de cette prestigieuse distinction. Ce livre ne raconte quune poigne de leurs histoires, mais il tmoigne de la capacit des membres de lOrdre du Canada nous inspirer.

Vous ferez la connaissance de sommits et de crateurs mconnus de tout ge, qui proviennent de tous les coins du pays, et vous vous merveillerez devant la diversit saisissante des ralisations canadiennes. Vous apprendrez des choses que vous ignoriez sur des personnalits de marque et dcouvrirez des personnes remarquables dont vous ne connaissiez peut-tre ni le nom ni le travail, mais qui ont eu une empreinte durable.

La slection des rcipiendaires de lOrdre du Canada est un processus abouti. Tout citoyen canadien peut proposer la candidature dun compatriote. La Chancellerie des distinctions honorifiques, le service du Bureau du secrtaire du gouverneur gnral qui voit ces formalits, reoit chaque anne entre quatre et six cents noms. Les Membres de lOrdre sont reconnus pour leur contribution lchelle locale ou rgionale. Les Officiers de lOrdre ont leur actif des services ou des ralisations denvergure nationale. Enfin, les Compagnons sont clbrs pour leur contribution minente au rayonnement international.

En 1967, un des plus gros obstacles la cration de lOrdre du Canada consistait crer son insigne. Le graphiste charg de la conception envisageait avec nervosit la lourde tche qui lattendait. Alors quil revenait de son bureau un aprs-midi, il se mit neiger. Tout Canadien le sait, il est impossible de marcher quand il neige sans prendre un flocon dans lil. Et cest ainsi quest n linsigne en forme de flocon.

La prochaine fois que vous croisez quelquun qui porte lpinglette distinctive en forme de flocon, demandez-lui de vous raconter son histoire! Vous entendrez alors un rcit aussi fascinant et inspirant que ceux raconts dans ce livre et vous vous souviendrez de la bont et la beaut de la terre de nos aeux.