NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat 2016IGR0023-001355 Honours and Awards Secretariat July 26, 2016 Best of B.C. bestowed with Province͛s highest honour VICTORIA ʹIn front of friends, family and a room full of distinguished guests, 16 exceptional civic leaders were recognized today at Government House with the Province͛s highest honour, the Order of British Columbia. ͞For 27 years, the Order of British Columbia has recognized exceptional individuals whose hard work, generosity of spirit and outstanding achievements have contributed immeasurably to the wellbeing of our communities,͟Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon said. ͞I extend my congratulations to this year's recipients and thank them for inspiring all of us with their efforts to build a healthy, diverse and inclusive province for generations to come.͟ ͞British Columbia's greatest strength is British Columbians ʹpeople who use their talents and passions to make a difference both here at home and, in many cases, around the world,͟ Premier Christy Clark said. ͞On behalf of all British Columbians, I want to thank this year's recipients for their dedication, and everything they do to make B.C. a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.͟ This year͛s recipients are: Janet Austin of Vancouver: Business and non-profit leader who, as CEO of the YWCA Vancouver, has championed new social services and programs. Kim Baird, CM of Tsawwassen: Leader who negotiated and implemented the first modern treaty in the BC Treaty Negotiation Process. Beverley Boys, CM of Surrey: Acclaimed international diving judge and diving coach. Dr. Allen Eaves of Vancouver: Leading leukemia specialist and founder owner of the largest biotechnology company in Canada. Frank Giustra of Vancouver: Influential Canadian entrepreneur and global philanthropist. John Mann of Vancouver: Founding member of one of British Columbia's iconic musical groups, Spirit of the West. Saleema Noon of Vancouver: Leading sexual health educator in the province and advocate for wellness education. Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, OC of Vancouver: Landscape architect who has pioneered many globally-recognized approaches to outdoor environments. J. Pauline Rafferty of Victoria: A leading Canadian executive in the cultural sector who transformed the Royal BC Museum into a premier museum. Sandra Richardson of Victoria: CEO of the Victoria Foundation who spearheads a number of successful programs responding to community needs. Robert Robinson of Vancouver: Celebrity broadcaster who has used his recognition to fundraise and promote many causes. David Sidoo of Vancouver: Sporting legend, successful investment banker and leading philanthropist. Brian R.D. Smith, QC of Victoria: Long-serving elected official who led social innovations in the arena of sports, education, law and business. Marjorie White of New Westminster: Founder of the first Aboriginal service agencies in Canada, which evolved into a national Friendship Centres movement. Dr. Peter K. K. Wong of Vancouver: Community leader, businessman, philanthropist and physician, who serves patients in Vancouver's east side neighbourhood. Dr. Eric M. Yoshida of Vancouver: Leading clinical and research expert in liver disease. Over the years, government has worked to increase awareness of the Province's highest honour to ensure that outstanding men and women from all eligible categories and from all parts of the province have an opportunity to be honoured. The Province has received more than 5,250 public nominations for the Order of British Columbia in 27 years. This year, 215 British Columbians were nominated for the Order of British Columbia. More than half the nominations came from the Lower Mainland with the remaining coming from other regions throughout the province. Since its inception, 402 British Columbians have been appointed to the OBC. Members have been appointed from all regions of the province and in numbers generally proportionate to a region's population. For example, 63% of the appointees have come from the Lower Mainland/Southwest region, which has 61% of the population. Similarly, the North has 4% of the population and 4% of the appointees are from that region. As well as the Order of B.C., people may nominate individuals for the Province's newest honour, the Medal of Good Citizenship. The medal recognizes citizens for their exceptional long-term service, and contributions to their communities without expectation of remuneration or reward. The medal reflects their generosity, service, acts of selflessness and contributions to community life. Nominations are accepted year round. Learn More: The Order of B.C. is online at: http://www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca Medal of Good Citizenship online at: www.gov.bc.ca/medalofgoodcitizenship Media Contact: Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Communications 250 356-7293 Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect BACKGROUNDER 1 For Immediate Release Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat 2016IGR0023-001355 Honours and Awards Secretariat July 26, 2016 2016 Order of British Columbia recipients Janet Austin The CEO of one of the province͛s largest non-profits and the former chair of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Janet Austin has reached the highest level of achievement in both the social and business sectors. Austin has guided the YWCA Metro Vancouver, which has a $28.3-million annual operating budget, through a number of transitions that has put the organization at the heart of the lives of tens of thousands of British Columbians using its services and programs and supporting their physical and mental well-being at more than 40 locations. A champion of social change, Austin previously served as director of development services for BC Housing, as executive director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, and chair of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. She currently volunteers on various committees and boards, including the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Big Sisters honorary advisory board, and the City of Vancouver Healthy City for All Leadership Table. Austin was named by the Women͛s Executive Network as one of Canada͛s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2008. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2013 and has received the Queen Elizabeth Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. Over the past decade, Austin has spearheaded community-focused initiatives at the YWCA, expanding its geographic and social reach in order to increase access to affordable housing for low- income single mothers and women leaving abusive relationships, supporting youth in foster care to transition to independence, and broadening services for marginalized women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Kim Baird, CM During her six terms as elected chief for the Tsawwassen First Nation, Kim Baird led the First Nation on a path of prosperous self-governance through the negotiation and implementation of the first modern treaty in the BC Treaty Negotiation Process. The Tsawwassen First Nation treaty negotiations are recognized as a model for effective negotiations throughout Canada and the world. Much sought after as a motivational speaker, Baird makes herself available to any and all seeking advice on First Nations. She serves on many boards including Clear Seas, Canada Public Policy Forum, and the Premier's Aboriginal Business Investment Council. The former chief's experience, knowledge and impact on creating change for First Nations governance continues to be instrumental in opening doors and creating relationships and opportunities, which would otherwise not exist. Her community is now on the road to prosperity and self-sufficiency by creating employment opportunities and attracting hundreds of millions of dollars of investment. She initiated the Tsawwassen Mills project, a commercial real-estate development on Tsawwassen First Nation lands, currently estimated to be a $780- million project. She became a member of the Order of Canada for showing exemplary leadership and vision by negotiating and implementing the first modern treaty in the BC Treaty Negotiation Process. Baird has received an honorary degree from Simon Fraser University and a distinguished alumni award from Kwantlen Polytechnic Institute. Other accolades include Canada's Top 40 Under 40 Award, the National Aboriginal Women in Leadership Distinction Award, Vancouver Magazine's Power 50 Award, and Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award. Beverley Boys, CM Beverley Boys, a female diver who dominated the sport in the 1960s and through much of the ͚ϳϬs and went on to be a successful diving coach, is the major driving force behind BC Dive, the organization responsible for developing and promoting diving throughout British Columbia. Boys began her diving career in 1962 in Toronto and went on to win provincial championships in Ontario, B.C., Manitoba and Quebec. She is a 34 time national champion and a three-time Olympian. She won three gold, three silver and two bronze medals at four Commonwealth Games and was chosen as Canada͛s Athlete of the Year in 1969 and in 1970. She is a four-time Olympic judge. Since retirement from competitive diving, Boys has served as a coach and official in competitions around the world, judging at the highest levels including four Olympic Games, five World Championships and six Commonwealth Games. She is a member of the Diving Canada Plongeon Officials Committee and was elevated to the chair of the officials committee, spearheading the development and implementation to improve the expertise and consistency of Canadian judges. Her energy, organizational ability, and her tough-minded will to succeed have made BC Dive a successful organization and many successful Canadian divers credit Boys for their achievements in the sport. Closer to home, she began diving clubs in White Rock and Surrey, which has become an important training centre for B.C. divers. In 2014, Beverley Boys was recognized by Sport BC with a Daryl Thompson Award for her contribution to the development of the sport of diving throughout the province over the past 34 years. She was voted Official of the Year in B.C.