Marco Levytsky, Western Bureau Chief.
New Pathway – Ukrainian News would like to add its voice to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) in congratulating Professors Roman Petryshyn and Helene Polatajko on their appointment to the Order of Canada and Professor Edward J. Ratushny on his promotion within the Order. They were among the 135 individuals so honored by Governor General Mary Simon on December 29.
“Canada is defined by the people that make up this great country. These most recent nominees to the Order of Canada are shining examples of the commitment and outstanding contributions Canadians have made to the well-being of communities throughout this land, whether it be social, environmental, scientific, economic, cultural or related to mental and physical health. To all of the nominees, congratulations and thank you,” she stated in making the announcement
The Order of Canada is one of Canada’s highest honours, awarded to people whose service shapes our society, whose innovations ignite our imaginations and whose compassion unites our communities.
Since its creation in 1967 — Canada’s centennial year — more than 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. The contributions of these trailblazers are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. Their grit and passion inspire us, teach us and show us the way forward. They exemplify the Order’s motto: Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (“They desire a better country”).
Appointments are made for sustained achievement at three levels: Companion, Officer and Member. Officers and Members may be elevated within the Order in recognition of further achievement, based on continued exceptional or extraordinary service to Canada. Usually, promotions are considered five years after the first appointment.
- Companion (C.C.) recognizes outstanding achievement and merit of the highest degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large.
- Officer (O.C.) recognizes achievement and merit of a high degree, especially service to Canada or to humanity at large.
- Member (C.M.) recognizes distinguished service in or to a particular community, group or field of activity.
Edward J. Ratushny
Professor Edward J. Ratushny was promoted to Officer of the Order of Canada for his “contributions to the field of administrative law, and for his leadership in sports arbitration and law.”
Professor Ratushny began teaching at Windsor Law School in 1970 in the areas of Criminal, Constitutional and Sports and Entertainment Law. Dr. Ratushny has made outstanding contributions to the rule of law and the cause of justice. He has authored books on self-incrimination and public inquiries as well as numerous scholarly articles and government reports. His work is cited frequently by the Supreme Court of Canada. For over 20 years Professor Ratushny has been a Special Counsel to the Canadian Judicial Council regarding the conduct of superior court judges throughout Canada. He is a recipient of the UCC Saskatchewan Provincial Council Nation Builders Award (2019).
Helene Polatajko
Dr. Helene Polatajko was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada “for significantly advancing the understanding of developmental coordination disorder in children.”
Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, Dr. Polotajko is an internationally respected occupational therapy scholar and teacher and a valued mentor. She has well over 300 publications, has done over 550 presentations in more than 20 countries. Dr. Polatajko has been granted numerous top awards and distinctions including the Muriel Driver Lectureship, election to The American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Academy of Research and being named as a Fellow to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Roman Petryshyn
Dr. W. Roman Petryshyn was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada for his “leadership in the evolution of multiculturalism in Canada, and for his advocacy of ethnocultural inclusion in mainstream society.”
Professor Petryshyn is a founding member of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, which coordinates, develops, organizes and delivers assistance and charitable projects generated by Canadians to Ukraine. Among his many professional and academic accomplishments, he was the founding director of the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre (URDC) at Grant MacEwan University where he held the Drs. Peter and Doris Kule Chair in Ukrainian Community and International Development until 2015. He is the recipient of several awards from the Ukrainian Canadian community, including the UCC National Leadership Award and the Hetman Award of the UCC Alberta Provincial Council.
All three serve as role models both for our community and for Canada as a whole. We wish them continued success in their endeavours and many happy years.
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