Waterloo and Stratford residents receive Order of Canada appointments

Loreena McKennitt (left) in a photo from the National Music Centre, and Mary Thompson (right) in a photo from the University of Waterloo.

Two locals have made the list of new appointments to the Order of Canada.

Governor General Louise Arbour made the announcement on Friday. The list is made up of 61 new appointees and five promotions within the Order.

There were also some notable recipients, including actor Michael J. Fox, soccer star Christine Sinclair and Yvan Cournoyer of the Montreal Canadiens.

Another big name has a connection to Stratford, Ont.

Celtic singer-songwriter Loreena McKennitt was born in Morden, Man., but has called the Festival City her home since 1981.

She will be promoted from member to officer of the Order of Canada.

“Loreena McKennitt has enriched and represented Canadian culture at home and abroad through her music,” the appointment announcement said. “She has championed artists, supported military families as an honorary colonel, and fostered community through the Falstaff Family Centre and Wise Communities Stratford. Her leadership in public dialogue, reconciliation efforts and civic engagement have strengthened Canada.”

Mary Thompson from the University of Waterloo was also named an officer of the Order of Canada.

She has been a long-time faculty member in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science.

“Mary Thompson has transformed statistical science through advances in survey methodology and public policy research,” the announcement explained. “This University of Waterloo professor made major contributions to the International Tobacco Control Project, advised national agencies and helped found the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute. She also champions women in the mathematical and statistical sciences.”

A celebration was held in 2019 to mark her 50 years at the school.

“Mary joined the department in 1969 as one of the first group of statistics faculty members, when the department was still in its infancy,” UW said a media release. “Over the past half a century, Mary has become a fixture of the department, a highly accomplished scholar, and a great inspiration and role model for many students and young faculty members.”

The announcement did not specify when a ceremony will be held for the new appointees.