TORONTO — Ontario has named 30 new recipients of its highest civilian honour, recognizing leaders across business, public service, arts and other sectors whose contributions have helped shape the province’s economic and social landscape.
The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced the 2025 appointments Monday, highlighting a diverse group that includes prominent business executives, cultural leaders and community builders.
“The 2025 Order of Ontario appointees represent the very best of our province,” said Dumont. “Through their exceptional dedication and achievements, they have made profound contributions that have touched lives across Ontario and beyond. May their remarkable examples continue to inspire us all to work together for the greater good.”
The Order of Ontario, established in 1986, is the province’s most prestigious official honour. Since its creation, 933 individuals have been appointed in recognition of achievements spanning business, technology, health care, science, skilled trades, public service and the arts.
Among this year’s recipients are several figures with significant influence in Ontario’s business community, including Edward Rogers, executive chair of Rogers Communications; Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival; and Claudette McGowan, a cybersecurity executive and corporate director.
Other appointees include mining executive Richard Rooney, labour leader Joe Mancinelli, and business strategist Zabeen Hirji, reflecting the province’s recognition of economic leadership across multiple industries.
The awards also extend beyond business to include individuals from public service, academia, sports and media, such as broadcaster Tracy Moore and hockey commentator Don Cherry, underscoring the broad impact of the honour across Ontario’s public life.
Appointments are made following recommendations from an independent advisory council, which evaluates nominees put forward by members of the public. The honour recognizes individuals whose achievements have had lasting impact on the province and, in many cases, internationally.
Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Graham McGregor, said the appointees exemplify leadership and service across diverse fields.
“On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I extend my congratulations to all appointees being honoured,” said McGregor. “These inspiring individuals have demonstrated dedication and leadership in a wide range of careers and pursuits, making a lasting difference in our communities and reflecting the very best of our province.”
Recipients will be formally invested during a ceremony in Toronto scheduled for 2026, where they will receive the Order’s insignia and gain the right to use post-nominal letters signifying the honour.
The Order of Ontario plays a significant role not only in recognizing individual achievement but also in reinforcing the province’s economic and institutional leadership. Many past recipients have included CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators and policymakers whose work has driven investment, job creation and international competitiveness.
Honourees such as Rogers and McGowan, for example, represent sectors — telecommunications and cybersecurity — that are central to Ontario’s modern economy and digital infrastructure. Similarly, Bailey’s leadership at TIFF has helped position Toronto as a global cultural and business hub, attracting tourism, investment and international attention.
This year’s class also reflects the province’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion, with recipients representing a range of backgrounds and sectors. That diversity mirrors Ontario’s broader economic base, which spans financial services, technology, manufacturing, natural resources and creative industries.
The province is continuing to accept nominations for the 2026 Order of Ontario until March 31, 2026, giving members of the public an opportunity to nominate individuals whose work has had significant impact.
For business leaders, receiving the Order of Ontario can enhance professional reputation and reinforce corporate credibility, particularly for executives representing companies with global operations or major economic influence in the province.
The recognition also highlights the critical role of leadership in sustaining Ontario’s economic growth, innovation capacity and global competitiveness.
As the province prepares to formally invest the 2025 recipients next year, the latest appointments serve as both recognition of past achievements and a signal of the leadership shaping Ontario’s future.
With representation from boardrooms, cultural institutions, research centres and community organizations, the newest members of the Order of Ontario reflect the breadth of talent driving Canada’s largest provincial economy.