Order of Canada recognizes Okanagan

Two of this year’s Order of Canada recipients are from the Okanagan

From the fields of science, community activism, literature, politics and sports, this year’s Order of Canada recipients were announced on June 29.

It gives me great pleasure to share with you that two of the recipients are remarkable women with strong links to the Central Okanagan.

Bev Busson, from the North Okanagan was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for “her lifelong commitment to public safety and for her dedicated service to Canadians through her involvement in multiple national and regional safety and justice initiatives.”

She was one of the first females to join the RCMP when they opened their ranks to women in the early 1970s.

By then, Busson had graduated from UBC law school and subsequently went on to become the commanding officer for Saskatchewan and the first woman to lead the RCMP, becoming the 21st commissioner in December 2006.

She retired to the Shuswap and became an important member of the Okanagan College Foundation Board for many years.

Deanna Hamilton, from Westbank First Nation, was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada for her “visionary contributions to First Nations fiscal management and governance, which have led to greater independence for Indigenous communities across Canada.”

Returning to her community in the 1970s, Hamilton realized that without proper funding, most aboriginal communities, hers included, would never be able to provide the infrastructure that most non-native communities take for granted — sewers, water, sidewalks and streetlights.

She joined the band council, developed the Westbank First Nation property tax system, and then sought out a model that could be adapted to enable First Nations to raise funds to create the essential onreserve infrastructure so essential to their progress and development.

With her remarkable tenacity, leadership, and guidance, the First Nations Finance Authority sold its first Moodys-rated bond issue in 2014.

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest civilian honours, recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation and those who have taken to heart the motto of the Order: Desiderantes meliorem patriam — “They desire a better country.”

Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of an advisory council.

Appointees are awarded one of three levels under the Order: member which recognizes outstanding contributions at the local or regional level or in a special field of activity; officer, which recognizes national service or achievement; and companion, the highest honour, which recognizes national pre-eminence or international service or achievement.

Any person or group is welcome to nominate a deserving individual. More information on the nomination process, and on this year’s recipients, can be found on the governor general’s website.

On behalf of our community and those throughout the Okanagan who have benefitted from their commitment and contributions, I offer our sincere appreciation and congratulations.

Stephen Fuhr is the Liberal member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country.