Nominations for the 2003 Order of Prince Edward Island are now being accepted by the Order of Prince Edward Island Advisory Council. The Order was established in 1996 and is the highest honour that the Province may bestow. It is awarded annually to Prince Edward Islanders (or long-term residents) who, in the opinion of an independent Advisory Council, have distinguished themselves through contributions to the social, economic and/or cultural life of PEI and its people.
Members of the Order of Prince Edward Island are as follows:
Hon. Marion Reid, CM
Dr. George Dewar, CM
Ulric Poirier
The late Jim Hogan
Dr. Kent Ellis
Reverend Charles Cheverie
Helen Stewart MacRae
Sister Mary Deighan
The late Charles Linkletter, CM
Antoine Richard, CM
Marie Burge
Marlene Bryenton
Edith Eldershaw
Dr. J. Hubert O'Hanley
Paul H. Schurman, CM
The late J.-Henri Gaudet, CM
J. Arthur Hudson
Shirley McGinn
Hon. Gilbert R. Clements
Kay Wall
Maylea Manning
The late Dr. John Maloney
Hon. J. Leoncé Bernard, Chancellor
Anna Duffy
Allan Graham
Elmer Williams
Sharon Wedge, Chair of the Order of Prince Edward Island Advisory Council, said that, "The Order of Prince Edward Island is a way of encouraging and acknowledging the outstanding achievements of individual citizens of the Province." Individuals (or organizations) wishing to nominate someone should be aware that nominations are now being received by Charles MacKay, Secretary of the Council. The deadline for nominating a person for consideration for the honour is April 4. After the close of nominations, the Advisory Council will consider all nominees and make its determination with respect to recipients for 2003. The legislation under which the Council is created and authorized to function states that no more than three individuals shall be invested in any one year – so the Council, as always, will be faced with some very difficult decisions to make!"
Those chosen to receive the honour will be presented with insignia of the Order, an impressive medal incorporating the Prince Edward Island Shield of Arms and a certificate of inclusion. Recipients are also entitled use the post nominals "O.P.E.I." and have their name and biographies added to a display in honour of recipients located on the 1st Floor of the Coles Building in Charlottetown. To further acknowledge investiture, a special ceremony is hosted by the Honourable J. Leoncé Bernard, Lieutenant Governor, as Chancellor of the Order at which recipients are formally invested at Government House.
Mrs. Wedge added that, "If you know of someone who has shown individual excellence or leadership in the community, or in their chosen profession or occupation, this represents an opportunity to have them considered for special honour and recognition; it is a special act of appreciation to nominate someone you believe is deserving of such a special honour. All too often the extraordinary efforts of Prince Edward Islanders go unnoticed."
For more information on the Order of Prince Edward Island or how to nominate someone, please contact Charles MacKay, Secretary, Order of Prince Edward Island Advisory Council at 368-5970; PO Box 2000, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 7N8 or visit the web address www.assembly.pe.ca/orderofpei/.