Nominations for the 2004 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 P.E.I. and it's people.
There are now 29 Members of the Order of Prince Edward Island as follows:
Hon. Marion Reid, CM; The late Dr. George Dewar, CM; The late 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; Georges Arsenault; The late Donald Deacon, O.C., M.C.; Noel Wilson.
Sharon Wedge, Chair of the Order of Prince Edward Island Advisory Council, said, "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 2. After the close of nominations, the Advisory Council will consider all nominees and make its determination with respect to recipients for 2004.
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. Last year, 56 nominations were received – 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 PE C1A 7N8, e-mail chmackay@gov.pe.ca or see internet address www.assembly.pe.ca/orderofpei/.