NINE CITIZENS RECEIVE SASKATCHEWAN’S HIGHEST HONOUR

Lieutenant Governor Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart invested nine people into the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in Regina today.

"The newest members of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit are individuals of great achievement, astonishing generosity and uncommon creativity," Barnhart said. "I am grateful that our province established the Order, which enables us to pay tribute to our citizens who have made such tremendous contributions to the world."

This year's recipients are:

• Chief Darcy M. Bear, Whitecap Dakota First Nation - Whitecap;
• Mr. Joseph L. Bourgault, President of F.P. Bourgault Tillage Tools and Entrepreneur - St. Brieux;
• Dr. Edward Busse, Retired Cardiac Surgeon - Qualicum Beach, B.C.;
• Mr. Ronald Carson, Chief Executive Officer, Carson Energy Services - Lampman;
• Mr. Malcolm Jenkins, Entrepreneur - Prince Albert;
• Mr. Courtney Milne (posthumous), Photographer - Grandora; 
• Dr. Karim Nasser, Professor Emeritus of Engineering - Saskatoon;
• Ms. Shirley Schneider, Retired Educator - Regina; and
• Ms. Ruth Smillie, Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, Globe Theatre - Regina.

The Saskatchewan Order of Merit is the province's highest honour, recognizing individuals who have contributed significantly to the well-being of the province and its residents. Including the nine new members, there have been 184 appointments to the Order of Merit since its inception in 1985.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and its members, or the Saskatchewan Honours and Awards Program, please visit www.ops.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Teneycke
Office of the Provincial Secretary
Regina
Phone: 306-798-6095
Email: jay.teneycke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-8630