Vol. 135, No. 40 — October 6, 2001

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS

The Governor General, the Right Honourable ADRIENNE CLARKSON, on the recommendation of the Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee, has awarded the Meritorious Service Decorations (civil division) as follows:

Meritorious Service Medal

BRAM APPEL, M.S.M.
Toronto, Ontario

A philanthropist and pioneer in early child development programming, Bram Appel founded in 1998 the Bram Appel School-Based Project, which provides meals, care and after-school programs to underprivileged children and their families. His initiative inspired the North Bay Sunset Park School program, one of five demonstration projects selected by the Government of Ontario to model and evaluate different community-based approaches to early child development and parenting. Through his personal involvement and generous support, Mr. Appel contributed directly to the well-being of children, and increased their readiness and ability to learn.

Meritorious Service Medal

INSPECTOR GORDON BLACK, M.S.M.
Richmond, British Columbia

CORPORAL JAIME VICTOR SEBASTIAN, M.S.M.
Bogotá, Colombia

RCMP members Gordon Black and Jaime Sebastian showed leadership and professionalism following the kidnapping of one American and seven Canadian citizens in Ecuador, in September 1999. Throughout the ordeal, then Cst. Sebastian's interpersonal skills established and facilitated inter-agency cooperation between the Ecuadorean military and national police forces, both responsible for investigating the kidnapping. Insp. Black, a trained and experienced negotiator, maintained contact with the kidnappers and provided valuable advice to the Canadian Ambassador in Ecuador, facilitating future cooperation with all parties involved. Through their expertise, Insp. Black and Cpl. Sebastian brought credit to their police force and to Canada.

Meritorious Service Medal

WILLIAM DONALD BLAIN, M.S.M. (Posthumous)
Burlington, Ontario

KEVIN RICHARD LIHOU, M.S.M. (Posthumous)
Newmarket, Ontario

On April 23, 1999, in Thamesville, Ontario, a train derailment claimed the lives of locomotive engineers Don Blain and Kevin Lihou, shortly after they managed to warn an oncoming train to stop. Although both trains were supposed to be travelling on parallel tracks, a crossover switch left in the wrong position set them on a collision course. In the few seconds they had to respond, engineers Blain and Lihou shut down the engine, activated the emergency brakes and radioed a frantic warning to the oncoming train. Thanks to their professionalism and quick action, the other train managed to stop, saving the lives of hundreds of passengers. Messrs. Blain and Lihou's locomotive veered off the tracks and rammed into stationary freight cars, killing them both.

Meritorious Service Medal

JEAN BORDES, M.S.M.
Montrejeau, France

Through the hard work of Jean Bordes, a French citizen, a cemetery was constructed in Nistos, France, where seven military personnel, including one Canadian, perished in an airplane crash in World War II. In 1990, Mr. Bordes was able to obtain the necessary funding and material to construct a cemetery at this site, at an altitude of more than 1 400 metres, on the slopes of the Pic du Douly. Because of Mr. Bordes' devotion to the cause of Remembrance, the cemetery was completed in 1994 and inaugurated in 1997 in the presence of a Canadian delegation, which included the son of the Canadian airman.

Meritorious Service Medal

JEREMY BROWN, M.S.M.
Vienna, Austria

In the summer of 1998, Jeremy Brown, Senior Medical Attaché at the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya, provided medical assistance to the wounded following a bomb attack on the United States Embassy, located less than a kilometre away from the Canadian mission. Setting aside his personal safety, Dr. Brown tended to the personnel in the bloody smoking rubble, providing care to the injured and comfort to the dying. He responded to the crisis situation in the hours, days and weeks following the bombing that killed 200 and left over 4 000 injured. Through his compassion and dedication, Dr. Brown brought great honour to his profession and to Canada.

Meritorious Service Medal

MARK CARY, M.S.M.
Quispamsis, New Brunswick

SEAN LOUTITT, M.S.M.
Chestermere, Alberta

NORMAN WONG, M.S.M.
Calgary, Alberta

In April 2001, pilot Sean Loutitt, co-pilot Mark Cary and flight engineer Norman Wong made aviation history with the first successful flight to the South Pole during the polar winter. The three crew members collectively utilized their skills and determination to evacuate an ailing doctor from Antarctica. Braving extreme weather conditions and the darkness of the polar winter, they undertook the airlift, one of the riskiest efforts ever by a small plane to the South Pole. After a six-hour flight, the aircraft safely landed in Chile, some 2 500 kilometres away. The success of this mission is directly attributed to the professionalism of Messrs. Loutitt, Cary and Wong, who brought great credit to Canada, both nationally and internationally.

Meritorious Service Medal

STAFF SERGEANT GEORGE CLANFIELD, M.S.M.
Port Sydney, Ontario

CORPORAL MAGDI SALEH, M.S.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

In September 1999, S/Sgt. Clanfield of the Toronto Police Service and RCMP Cpl. Saleh were employed with the United Nations as unarmed Civilian Police observers in Dili, East Timor. They were tasked with advising the Indonesian police during the period leading to the public vote on independence, and providing security at the polling booths. During the violence which followed the publication of the vote results, they ignored several opportunities to evacuate, volunteering instead to stay to provide aid, food and shelter to refugees fleeing the violence, and to provide assistance to other UN personnel. S/Sgt. Clanfield and Cpl. Saleh's actions brought credit to their respective police forces and to Canada.

Meritorious Service Medal

JANET IRENE CONNERS, M.S.M.
Hatchet Lake, Nova Scotia

RANDAL DUANE CONNERS, M.S.M. (Posthumous)
Hatchet Lake, Nova Scotia

In 1992, Janet and Randy Conners became the driving force in the crusade to obtain government compensation for hemophiliac victims infected with the HIV virus through tainted blood products. Mr. Conners contracted HIV in 1985 and Mrs. Conners was diagnosed with the same virus a few years later. To raise public awareness on the issue, they turned their own tragedy into a search for justice and their efforts resulted in Nova Scotia agreeing to compensate infected spouses and children with HIV. A federal inquiry on the contamination of the blood system also began before Mr. Conners' death in September 1994. As an AIDS educator and activist, Mrs. Conners continues her crusade to further the cause of hemophiliac Canadians infected by blood products and facing imminent death.

Meritorious Service Medal

MICHAEL JORDAN, M.S.M.
Ottawa, Ontario

On April 20, 2000, Mike Jordan, Principal at the Cairine Wilson Secondary School in Ottawa, Ontario, faced an armed teenager who attacked four fellow students and a staff member with a knife before wounding himself. Fearing for the safety of the other students, Mr. Jordan located the distraught assailant and persuaded him to relinquish his weapon and surrender to police. Mr. Jordan is to be commended for his presence of mind and composure, which prevented a serious situation from escalating into tragedy.

Meritorious Service Medal

TAMUSI KASUDLUAK, M.S.M.
Inukjuak, Quebec

In 1995, Tamusi Kasudluak's younger brother committed suicide by walking out alone on the tundra. His body was never found. Mr. Kasudluak set out on a "Walk for Life," travelling some 300 kilometres over two winters, by foot, from Ivujivik to Inukjuak, in an effort to raise awareness on social issues facing Inuit people. During his journey in the hostile winter environment, Mr. Kasudluak met with communities at special activities held in support of his courageous initiative. To carry on Mr. Kasudluak's crusade at a time when suicide is high among Inuit people, a walk is now held annually in the village of Inukjuak to promote the importance of preserving human life.

Meritorious Service Medal

KATHRYN M. KNOWLES, M.S.M.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Her desire to share the pleasures of reading with children inspired Kathryn Knowles to set up a library in the backyard of her home while living in Ghana, Africa, in 1990. The project, which started from a basket of books, led to the establishment of libraries in more than 80 schools and communities across Ghana. Now back in Canada, Mrs. Knowles continues to administer projects in Ghana, such as the community library she initiated in the densely populated area of Nima, Accra, where the illiteracy rate is exceptionally high. The centre also provides meals for children and offers a literacy class. Through her labour of love promoting literacy and education, Kathryn Knowles has enriched the lives of many children half a world away, and brought great honour to Canada.

Meritorious Service Medal

ALEXANDRE-NICOLAS LEBLANC, M.S.M.
Montréal, Quebec

Through the efforts of Alexandre-Nicolas LeBlanc, the Centre d'écoute téléphonique et de prévention du suicide (Accueil Amitié) was established in 1984 in the Beauce-Etchemins region in Quebec. As founding president of this preventive action service, which serves over 50 communities, Mr. LeBlanc's involvement included recruiting and supervising volunteers, providing intervention training programs and finding the funding required to operate the Centre, as well as offering educational conferences on the issue of suicide. Through this community organization, which responds to thousands of calls per year, Mr. LeBlanc has created a lifeline by providing a link between persons in distress and the resources that help them overcome their difficulties.

Meritorious Service Medal

DAVID WILLIAM MCCRACKEN, M.S.M., C.D.
Bangkok, Thailand

In 1994, David McCracken, a former military engineer, was instrumental in the formation of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, teaching and assisting Cambodian citizens in dealing with landmines left behind in the aftermath of 20 years of conflict. Working in the field of humanitarian demining since 1992, he has personally developed critical operating procedures for mine clearance that save the lives of innocent victims as well as deminers who extract the explosives from the ground. Internationally recognized for his dedication and commitment, Mr. McCracken continues, through his personal contributions, to advance and guide the progress of demining, bringing great credit to himself and honour to Canada.

Meritorious Service Medal

DONALD CHISHOLM MCKENZIE, M.S.M.
Richmond, British Columbia

In 1996, Donald McKenzie, a sports medicine physician and exercise physiologist, initiated and developed a physical training program for the benefit of 24 breast cancer survivors. When women living with the disease began to challenge the notion that they should lead physically restricted lives after surgery, Dr. McKenzie formed and coached the "Abreast in a Boat" dragon boat paddling team consisting entirely of women who have survived breast cancer. Thanks to his initiative, most provinces in Canada now have a breast cancer dragon boat team. His remarkable achievements, enhanced by his guidance and caring, have given breast cancer survivors across Canada a sense of confidence and pride, and a lifeline to a better existence.

Meritorious Service Medal

PHILLIP OREE, M.S.M.
Etobicoke, Ontario

CHRISTINE STEINWALL, M.S.M.
Pickering, Ontario

On August 16, 1998, in Scarborough, Ontario, Head Lifeguard Christine Steinwall and Lifeguard Phillip Oree displayed outstanding professionalism when they went to the assistance of eight swimmers who found themselves in difficulty at Lake Ontario's Bluffer's Park Beach. Using their skills and training, they took charge of a chaotic situation and persevered in their rescue efforts despite the extreme weather conditions. Throughout, Ms. Steinwall and Mr. Oree maintained a remarkable degree of composure while combatting exhaustion brought on by the challenge of performing so many rescues in a short period of time. Sadly, one man did not survive the ordeal.

Meritorious Service Medal

HANNI SAGER, M.S.M., O.M.C.
Toronto, Ontario

During the winter of 1991, on her own initiative and at her own expense, Hanni Sager set out to teach the art of toy-making to disabled and street children in Mexico. After discovering an orphanage near Oaxaca, she set up a toy workshop and taught the children the joy of toy-making and painting. She later obtained the financial support necessary to open similar workshops in other parts of Mexico. Through her teaching abilities, the children were able to earn a living and contribute to their own well-being by selling their work at local markets. An example of determination and courage, Ms. Sager gave the children a sense of purpose and self-worth. Through her work for the betterment of the less fortunate, she brought pride and honour to Canada.

Meritorious Service Medal

HARRY SCOTT THOMSON, M.S.M. (Posthumous)
Newmarket, Ontario

Harry Thomson, a plastic surgeon, volunteered his time and skills to teach and train doctors in developing countries about the treatment of various types of disfigurements and deformities. Throughout 1985-86, while in Saudi Arabia, he wrote policies, procedures and medical by-laws that were later implemented in hospitals by the Saudi Ministry of Health. He also devoted his expertise to help the underprivileged in Tunisia, Ethiopia and Taiwan. Dr. Thomson's medical and humanitarian contributions brought great credit to himself and to Canada, both nationally and internationally.

LGEN (Ret'd) JAMES C. GERVAIS, C.M.M., C.D.
Deputy Secretary

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MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS

The Governor General, the Right Honourable ADRIENNE CLARKSON, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Staff, has awarded Meritorious Service Decorations (military division) as follows:

Meritorious Service Cross

COLONEL CHRIS AUSTIN HADFIELD, O.Ont., M.S.C., C.D.
Canadian Space Agency, Saint-Hubert, Quebec

On April 22, 2001, mission specialist Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian astronaut to perform an extravehicular activity or space walk. During two planned space walks, Col Hadfield successfully performed the complex yet delicate task of unloading, installing and testing Canadarm 2 under extraordinary conditions some 400 km above the earth. His contributions during his 13-day voyage are the culmination of years of intense training and personal sacrifice. During his first flight in 1995, he flew as the shuttle's first Canada mission specialist, became the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit and the only one to ever visit the Russian space station Mir. Col Hadfield's outstanding performance has brought great credit to Canada and honour to the Canadian Forces.

Meritorious Service Medal

COMMODORE DREW WILLIAM ROBERTSON, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.
Halifax, Nova Scotia

As Commander of a Task Unit from July 27 to August 12, 2000, Cmdre Drew William Robertson, then Capt(N), led the Canadian Forces' coordinated effort to track, board and seize Merchant Vessel GTS KATIE. He flawlessly organized the boarding of the vessel, regaining control of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Canadian Forces' army equipment and ammunition which were being held aboard. His actions reflected exceptional planning in this operation against an uncooperative target conducted under intense world-wide media scrutiny. Cmdre Robertson's outstanding leadership contributed to the success of a particularly challenging mission, bringing great credit to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.

LGEN (Ret'd) JAMES C. GERVAIS, C.M.M., C.D.
Deputy Secretary

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