The veteran actor, writer and director was appointed to the Order, along with 73 others, by Governor General Michaëlle Jean and the official ceremony will take place on a date soon to be announced.  The appointment is the highest honour that the Governor General can bestow on Canadians.  The chosen few are selected based on their important contributions to Canadian culture and industry.

Some of the promotions to the status of “officer” within the Order went to Vancouver 2010 Olympic organizer John Furlong and astronaut Julie Payette, who was the first Canadian to visit the international Space Station in 1999.

Famous Canadian actor Michael J. Fox has also been promoted to officer within the order for his contributions to raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease. Grammy Award-winning violinist James Ehnes was named a new member of the order, along with Thomson.

The rest of the talented appointees represent a wide range of skills and ideas that they have brought to both Canadian and international industries.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/06/30/governal-general-order-of-canada.html