Governor General Mary Simon announced the 2024 appointments to the Order of Canada on June 27.
The Order of Canada recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the country.
Poet, musician, and painter bill bissett was named a Member of the Order of Canada. Known for his sound, visual, and performance poetry, bissett has published more than 70 books of poetry and was also the founder of blewointment magazine and blewointmentpress (now Nightwood Editions).
Also appointed a member is former Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium bookseller and anti-censorship activist Janine Fuller. She was a key figure in the Vancouver store’s fight against censorship by Canada Customs that led to a landmark 2000 Supreme Court of Canada ruling and recognition of 2SLGBTQI+ rights. She co-authored a book about the censorship battle.
Nova Scotia filmmaker, poet, and writer Sylvia D. Hamilton was also named a member, as were playwrights Colleen Murphy and Marcelle Dubois.
Appointed as Officers of the Order of Canada are journalist, author, and filmmaker Mellissa Fung and Stephen Poloz, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, who has authored a number of academic and trade titles.
The investiture of the appointees will be held later this year.
Correction, July 3: The article has been corrected to reflect that the Supreme Court of Canada decision of Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium v. Canada occurred in 2000, not 2024, as originally noted.
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