Latest news with #OrderOfCanada
CTV News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Vancouver artist Martha Sturdy among 2025 Order of Canada appointees
Vancouver artist Martha Sturdy has been leaving her mark on the often impenetrable design world for the past five decades, but her work, and the accolades associated with it, is still far from being over. The 83-year-old sculptor joined a melange of writers, doctors and musicians as one of 83 new Order of Canada appointees named earlier this month. 'It's very kind of them to think of me,' says Sturdy over the phone, as she tends to her stable of horses at her sprawling Pemberton farmhouse. Ever the self-deprecating artist, Sturdy laughs that she was chosen from the sea of other 'competent, successful women' because she is, in her words, 'old,' and with age comes some sort of requirement for recognition. The joke that she has been selected simply because of her years on this planet belies the fact that her work has significantly shaped the fashion and design landscape in Canada and in B.C. Sturdy has gained an international reputation for her pieces, particularly her wearable sculptures that have featured on the runway shows of luxury fashion houses and in the world's most prominent magazines. In 2002, the designer nabbed a Golden Jubilee Award, and in 2005, she was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Reflecting on the madness of it all now, Sturdy says such accolades and esteemed reputation have never been her dream. As wonderful as they are to have now, the dream has only ever been to create. 'It wasn't like I was going for a goal of success or notoriety or anything, I just only do what I am,' she says. Sturdy recalls one of the very first moments she felt like she 'made it.' It was early in her career, not long after completing studies at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and her fledgling wearable sculpture designs had begun to catch the attention of the industry bigwigs at Vogue. 'We were in an interview, and I had one editor, and then I had 10 editors from different sections of Vogue all wanting my things. When I had that happen, I thought, 'Oh, this is really a confirmation of something that you couldn't even think to ask for,'' she says. 'This doesn't happen, it just doesn't happen … but it did, to me.' Sturdy's bold, vivid pieces that blurred the lines between art and fashion were statement enough, but what truly set them apart from the other jewelry pieces splashed across the pages of glossy magazines was their relative inexpensiveness. Crafted primarily from resin and metal, they were worlds away from the diamonds, emeralds and high extravagance associated with such publications as Vogue or Harper's Bazaar. 'If I made someone look at something and not register money, then I was successful, because the creativity of it was noticeable,' she says. 'It wasn't about money.' Sturdy says her definition of success is being able to have an impact on someone, regardless of what that impact might be. 'Maybe they hate it for all I know, but at least they looked, and thought,' she says. 'That, to me, is success.' It is a sentiment that stuck with Sturdy as she evolved from wearable jewelry to contemporary sculptural homeware, and one she carries with her now, as she continues to create. 'As I've gotten older and more comfortable with what I'm doing, I make things that have nothing to do with anything other than me loving it,' she says. 'Sometimes it's large and awkward and not practical and all the rest of it, but then you see you're being true to yourself. You're not just trying to make something that's salable.' The sculptor gains inspiration for her unique designs from just letting her brain 'be free,' which typically involves being immersed in nature. Often, that means walking the grounds of her Pemberton home – Sturdy splits her time between there and Vancouver – and simply stopping to mindfully take in her surrounds. 'I'm really into trees right now,' she ponders. 'I am making sculptures that are 12 feet or bigger. Am I going to sell them? Probably not. Do I have a place for them to go? No, I don't. I don't, but I love them.' The stunning scenery synonymous with the Sea-to-Sky region is, in part, the reason why Sturdy has chosen to stay in B.C. Paris, New York, London, they are all liveable options for a designer of Sturdy's stature, as a woman who could slot seamlessly into the fashion scene of any design capital, but she is dubious they would inspire her in the same way beautiful British Columbia does. 'I'm looking out at a tree that has a whole bunch of crab apples on it, and they're a beautiful red,' she says, as the call comes to a close. 'These are all things that go into my brain and then, who knows when, maybe never, maybe soon, it'll come out as something worthwhile.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Corrective to Aug. 3 story about Hilary Weston's death
In a story that moved on Aug. 3 about the death of fashion mogul and former Ontario lieutenant-governor Hilary Weston, The Canadian Press erroneously reported that Weston was the second woman to be given the Order of Canada. In fact, she was the second woman to be Ontario's lieutenant-governor. The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
I remember Alia Hogben
I had the good fortune to encounter Alia Hogben when I was a public servant in the old multiculturalism program of the Department of Canadian Heritage, following up on a small grant to assist her with her manuscript on the history of Muslim women in Canada. We ended with a good 45-minute conversation on the post-Gulf War and post-9/11 challenges facing young Muslim women, which I had observed while performing other duties for my department. I was especially impressed by her fervour for Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and how it was a guidepost for women of all communities and origins, but much more so for Muslim women, who had to deal with family pressures and those of a wider society still uncertain about how they should respond. She was practical and direct on this issue when I twice saw her speak frankly to Muslim audiences. She believed strongly that one could best be a good Muslim by being a good Canadian. My colleagues and I were pleased as punch when she was named to the Order of Canada; its motto, 'desiderantes meliorem patriam,' translates as 'they desire a better country,' and this truly applied to Alia. Austin Cooke, Ottawa Sheema Khan's beautiful obituary of Alia Hogben mentioned all of the big and important events in Ms. Hogben's life. I remember her for a small one. Our church sponsored a family of refugees from Afghanistan. They arrived and settled down in Kingston, but we soon found that they had brought some family feuds with them. In particular, the conflict between some wanting to maintain all the old way of life, and others wanting to become true new Canadians. I needed a neutral counsellor and remembered the many wonderful columns Alia had written for the Kingston Whig-Standard, offering sage counsel. I contacted her and explained the problem. Within days she arrived, listened to us in detail, and suggested how to approach the family. It worked, and we saw a feuding family settle happily – now some 20 years ago – into Canadian life. Thanks, Alia. Peter Gower, Kingston To submit a memory about someone we have recently profiled on the Obituaries page, e-mail us at obit@
CBC
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Bruce Cockburn gets standing ovation at Winnipeg Folk Festival as he's given key to the city
Social Sharing Music legend Bruce Cockburn has played for crowds at the Winnipeg Folk Festival for five decades, but before taking the stage Saturday, he received the city's highest honour. Mayor Scott Gillingham presented the key to the city to the Canadian singer-songwriter, who was written more than 350 songs and released around three-dozen albums. Cockburn is also an advocate for human rights and the environment. The key to the city recognizes the significant contributions of dignitaries visiting the city. Valerie Shantz, the festival's executive director, said the crowd gave Cockburn a standing ovation. "It was a really beautiful moment," said Shantz. Some of Cockburn's best-known songs include Lovers in a Dangerous Time, Wondering Where the Lions Are and The Coldest Night of the Year. Cockburn, who turned 80 in May, made a special detour from his tour to be part of the celebration for the festival's 50th anniversary. Cockburn performed at the first Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1974, which was organized to mark Winnipeg's centenary. "He was so really important in that first year," said Shantz. "He's just been an incredibly important artist for our festival." Shantz said Cockburn also performed at the festival in 1975, 1978, 1984, 1998, 2006 and 2017. "He, too, shares that affinity with the Folk Festival and he feels like this is a really special place for him," she said. Cockburn is an officer of the Order of Canada, recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and 13-time Juno Award winner, the city said in a news release. This is the second time Gillingham has given out the key to the city. "The mayor's choice to honour the festival by honouring one of our artists, I thought that was a really lovely touch," said Shantz.
National Post
07-07-2025
- Health
- National Post
Amy Hamm: The Order of Canada has been exposed as a sham
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Handing out awards to Theresa Tam and Bonnie Henry shows how politically motivated it is A woman walks past murals of Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. Bonnie Henry on the side of a building in Vancouver in 2020. Photo by Richard Lam/PNG The Order of Canada no longer means anything, if it ever meant anything at all. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors On June 30, the supposedly prestigious Canadian honour was awarded to physicians Theresa Tam and Bonnie Henry, the former chief public health officer of Canada and the current provincial health officer of British Columbia, respectively. With these two appointments, the Order of Canada should no longer be considered an honour; instead, it should be seen as a symbol of conformity, obedience and antipathy towards those of us who care about our collective rights and freedoms. Both doctors became famous — in relative Canadian terms — for their public-health decrees issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor General's website explains that, 'Bonnie Henry has been using her expertise in public health and preventive medicine to safeguard the health of people in Canada and globally for decades. Notably, as provincial health officer, she led British Columbia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is also an author, scholar and University of British Columbia clinical associate professor.' This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays) By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again For her part, Tam was given the award because, 'For decades, Theresa Tam has striven to advance global and national public health as a pediatric infectious disease specialist and public servant. Her tenure as Canada's chief public health officer has been characterized by her commitment to health equity and highlighted by her leadership role in the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.' These explanations are blatant whitewashing. Any Canadian who lived through the pandemic will be familiar with the repeat controversies and scandals that plagued both public-health officers. They will be remembered, not for safeguarding life, but for cracking down on Canadians with harmful and coercive public-health policies, many of which were not supported by scientific evidence. Henry clung to her illiberal and unnecessary vaccine mandate for health-care workers long after it was obvious that the vaccine was not stopping the spread of the virus. Many lost their jobs and the health-care system has yet to recover from the loss. Henry only rescinded the mandate in the lead-up to the 2024 provincial election, in what appeared to be a politically motivated decision intended to thwart the rise of B.C.'s Conservative party. It was despicable. Henry, who's part owner of a B.C. winery, also curiously issued 2021 orders to prohibit indoor dining for bars and restaurants — but not for wineries offering wine tasting sessions. Hmm. Then there's Tam. Her policies left such a sour note in Canadians' mouths that police pre-emptively placed security around her home in the lead-up to the Freedom Convoy protests. She has been widely condemned for her support of harmful lockdown policies, for which Canadians are still suffering to this day. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Henry and Tam's inductions into this Canadian hall of fame is more than enough proof of how politicized the Order of Canada has become. The Governor General is merely patting politically connected cronies on the back. But Canadians know the truth. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a legal advocacy organization, expressed anger over the appointments on X: 'Honouring Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Theresa Tam the Order of Canada for their destructive and unscientific policies amounts to politicizing this Award. Given the questions about vaccine mandates, and other violations of Charter rights and freedoms, this is completely irresponsible.' The Order of Canada has been around since 1967. In its 58 years, more than 8,500 people have been given the 'honour,' an average of around 147 people a year. To be considered eligible for an Order of Canada, one must be alive and not currently an elected official or sitting judge. That's it. You don't even have to be Canadian. The Governor General's website explains that, 'Living non-Canadians are also eligible if their contributions have brought benefit or honour to Canadians or to Canada.' Henry and Tam have done neither. Many argue that they've done the opposite. An Order of Canada can also be taken away. There is something dubious about an award that can be given and then taken, the honour of its bestowing vanished from the annals of a country's history. A Nobel Prize, for instance, cannot be revoked. This is further evidence that the Order of Canada is not a serious award. Not to mention that Don Cherry does not have one — what a farce. The Governor General is handing out Orders of Canada like Costco hands out samples to its members. If you're in the club, you can get one — just get in line and wait your turn.
