This release was issued under a previous government.
His Honour Col. (Ret’d) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell and Her Honour Linda Ethell hosted the ceremony at McDougall Centre in Calgary for 24 recipients and their guests.
“Both the Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Caring Canadian Award recognize those among us who are committed to fostering the best possible quality of life for us all,” said Lieutenant Governor Ethell. “Each of today’s honourees has committed a lifetime to serving others. This is just one small way to thank them for the valued role they’ve played in building a stronger city, province and nation.”
On behalf of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, His Honour presented the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to Paris Sahlen. Mr. Sahlen’s award citation is attached. The Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award recognizes the significant service of longstanding community volunteers. Information about the award is at www.gg.ca/caring.
Diamond Jubilee medal recipients included the Lieutenant Governor’s nominees as well as Companions, Officers and Members of the Order of Canada representing sectors such as medicine and post-secondary education, the judiciary, the business and energy sectors and the Olympic movement. A list of recipients is attached.
The Diamond Jubilee Medal, which is a national honour, recognizes citizens of all ages and walks of life who have made significant contributions to their communities. The medals are being presented at ceremonies across the province, hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and other dignitaries, public bodies and organizations taking part in the program. Information on the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is at www.gg.ca/diamondjubilee.
Attachment: Recipients of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal - September 11, 2012, Calgary, Alberta
Media inquiries, contact:
Janet Resta
Communications Officer, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
780-427-9222
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Backgrounder
Recipients of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal - September 11, 2012, Calgary, Alberta
Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award Recipient - Mr. Paris Sahlen (Calgary)
For nearly 35 years, Paris Sahlen has devoted much of his life to fostering meaningful connections between Canadians and the Royal Canadian Navy. A key player in the creation of the Naval Museum of Alberta, he serves as the liaison between the frigate HMCS Calgary and her namesake city, and works tirelessly to bring veterans, youth and the broader Calgary public together in honouring Canada’s naval heritage.
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipients
Honourable Arthur Jacob (Jake) Epp (Calgary)
The Hon. Jake Epp is respected for his vision, his integrity and his valued contributions to Canada's public, private and volunteer sectors. After distinguished service as a federal cabinet minister, he joined the oil industry where he served as an advocate for green energy. He has also been an effective community leader and volunteer. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of Privy Council.
Captain Andrew Beauchamp (Calgary)
Andrew Beauchamp is a 12-year member of the Calgary Highlanders who has served in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He also serves through his duties with the Commissionaires of Southern Alberta and as an Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
Sheriff Jonathan Beauchamp (Edmonton)
Jonathan Beauchamp has been an Alberta Sheriff for six years and has served the Office of the Lieutenant Governor since 2009. He has also served as a conservation officer and as a commanding officer with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.
Sheriff Prab Gil (Calgary)
Sheriff Prab Gil has been a member of the Alberta Public Service since 2002 and has served three Lieutenant Governors of Alberta. He has also participated in fundraising activities for Missing Child Society of Canada and the Boys and Girls Club.
Inspector Daryl Gourley (Edmonton)
Inspector Daryl Gourley has been a member of the public service with the Alberta Solicitor General since 1991. Prior to joining the Alberta Sheriffs in 2002 he worked in Corrections, Special Projects and Probation. He has served two Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.
Gail Greenough (Calgary)
Gail Greenough holds the distinction of being first woman and the first Canadian to win the World Show Jumping Championships. She has continued to serve as an effective advocate for the ongoing development of equestrian sport in Canada and has coached others to great success in the showjumping arena. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Dr. Roger C. Jackson (Calgary)
Roger Jackson has offered impressive accomplishments as a gold medal winning athlete, as a leader in the Canadian and international Olympic movements, as a visionary faculty member at the University of Calgary, and as a longstanding and effective community volunteer. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and will become a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence in October 2012.
Patrick Jarvis (Calgary)
Patrick Jarvis has been a leader in empowering people with disabilities to seek their full potential through sport. In addition to representing Canada at international Paralympic events he has contributed as a past president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and through valued service to organizations such as the International Paralympic Committee and WinSport. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Sergeant Cheryl Kallenberger (Medicine Hat)
Sergeant Cheryl Kallenberger is a 27-year veteran of the public service who worked in corrections before joining the Alberta Sheriffs in 1999. Based in Medicine Hat, she has also provided distinguished service to four Lieutenant Governors of Alberta during their visits to the community.
Diane Jones-Konihowski (Calgary)
Diane Jones-Konihowski represented Canada at three Olympic Games and twice ranked as the number one pentathlete in the world. Her many contributions include service to the Alberta Sport Council, the National Sport Centre Calgary and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and as Canada’s Chef de Mission for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. She is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Hon. Justice James Laycraft (Calgary)
Hon. Justice James Laycraft’s served as a highly respected lawyer, judge and Chief Justice of Alberta and of Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories. He contributed to revisions of the Alberta and Nova Scotia Rules of Court and to recommendations on judicial conduct and appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada. In retirement he has continued to provide wise counsel as a mediator, arbitrator and volunteer. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Alvin Libin (Calgary)
Alvin Libin is a successful businessman who is well known in Calgary and Alberta as a man of integrity and sound judgment. His philanthropic leadership has benefited numerous health and educational organizations, including the Foothills Hospital, the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and the Alberta Ingenuity Fund. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Brian MacNeill (Calgary)
Brian MacNeill is well regarded for his service as an energy sector leader and his longstanding dedication to furthering the well-being of Albertans. Organizations that have benefitted from his volunteer service and leadership include Mount Royal College, the University of Calgary, the United Way of Calgary and the Calgary Homeless Foundation. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.
The Hon. John C. (Jack) Major (Calgary)
The Hon. Jack Major has made an indelible contribution to the administration of justice in Canada. A former lawyer and court of appeal judge for the province of Alberta, he served on provincial commissions, codes of inquiry and as a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. In retirement, he provided exemplary leadership and compassion as head the Royal Commission to investigate the bombing of Air India Flight 182. He is a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Preston Manning (Calgary)
Preston Manning’s long record of public service includes work as founder of the Reform Party and as a Member of Parliament. He is a dedicated champion of democratic and political reform and the visionary founder of the Manning Centre for Building Democracy. He is a Companion of the Order of Canada and in October 2012 he will become a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Hon. Virgil Moshansky (Calgary)
Virgil Moshansky has made important contributions to aviation safety in Canada. As a senior trial judge and civil aviator, he headed a Commission of Inquiry and undertook exhaustive study that led to new and stringent procedures for airplane de-icing. He has also shared his expertise with air disaster and aviation safety organizations in other countries. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Lieutenant Commander Nancy Olmstead (Cremona)
Nancy Olmstead is a 36-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve who holds the distinction of being one of the two first women Bridge Watchkeeping Officers in Canada. She has served in various HMC ships as Operations Officer and Executive Officer and has also served the Crown as an Aide de Camp to three Lieutenant Governors of Alberta.
Inspector Sandra Palmer (Calgary)
Inspector Sandra Palmer has been a member of the Alberta Public Service for 14 years and has provided support for two Lieutenant Governors. Her service to the Crown also includes work with BC Corrections and she has served the community by fundraising for Missing Child Society of Canada and the Boys and Girls Club.
Ken Reid (Calgary)
Ken Read was the first North American male to win a World Cup Downhill skiing event. In addition to a successful skiing career, he has served sport in many capacities, including as CEO of Alpine Canada and Chef de Mission for the Canadian Team to the 1992 Summer Olympics. Ken is an ardent supporter of Cystic Fibrosis research and is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Sheriff Ajit Singh (Calgary)
Sheriff Ajit Singh’s 32-year public service career includes duties with federal and provincial corrections and with the Alberta Sheriffs where he has provided support to three Lieutenant Governors and three Premiers of Alberta. He is also an active community volunteer.
Dr. Eldon Smith (Calgary)
Dr. Eldon Smith is widely recognized for his research into hypertension and cardiac failure. The legacy created during his service as Dean of Medicine at the University of Calgary includes establishment of the school’s magnetic resonance research centre. He has also offered valued contributions to medical organizations in Canada and helped guide the creation of educational and health care programs overseas. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Dr. Brijendra Sood (Calgary)
Dr. Brijendra Sood is a dedicated physician who has worked to promote multicultural awareness and to strengthen the social and cultural fabric of Calgary’s East Indian community. He has provided leadership to the city’s India-Canada Association, Multicultural Centre and Hindu Society and Temple. He was named Outstanding Physician of the Year for 2000 by the Calgary Medical Society and he is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Dr. Christopher Wiseman (Calgary)
For decades, Christopher Wiseman has nurtured Alberta's emerging and established writers. He founded the creative writing program at the University of Calgary where he introduced a model for teaching the subject which has now become the standard classroom technique. He has also served the Alberta Foundation for the Literary Arts and the Writers Guild of Alberta. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.
Media inquiries, contact:
Janet Resta
Communications Officer, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
780-427-9222
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.