NOTE: Photos and biographies of the 2015 Order of Nova Scotia recipients are available at novascotia.ca/iga/2015recipients.asp .
Five outstanding Nova Scotians, internationally recognized as leaders in their respective fields, were invested into the Order of Nova Scotia.
Premier Stephen McNeil made the announcement today, Sept.
30.
“Every year we recognize Nova Scotians who come from all different backgrounds, but all have something in common,” said Premier McNeil. “Each one of these men and women has dedicated their lives to help advance the quality of life for others, in turn creating a stronger, more prosperous province.”
The 2015 Order of Nova Scotia recipients are:
— Dr. Margaret Macdonald Casey, Halifax: Dr. Casey is a health-care provider, educator and a community advocate. She is one of a small group of health professionals who recognized the unmet, urgent need of north end Halifax families for accessible, respectful health care and has worked hard to provide it. She has advocated for the need to address social issues such as poverty, illiteracy and racism as a part of improving health care.
–- Louis E. Deveau, Dartmouth: Mr. Deveau, originally from Salmon River, Digby Co., founded Acadian Seaplants Limited, a multi-national, bio-tech manufacturing company specializing in technical marine plant-derived products with exports to over 80 countries. His company has received significant recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 13 years, awards for safety, exporting, environmental excellence and business ethics
— Martin Rudy Haase, Chester: Mr. Haase is one of Nova Scotia’s longest serving environmentalists. He has fought against harmful pesticides, uranium mining, nuclear power and clear-cut logging. He was a founding member of the Friends of Nature Conservation Society in 1954, which saved an island in Maine from clear cutting. Mr. Haase was the first landowner to donate a conservation easement to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, protecting a tract of land on the Bras d’Or Lakes in 1996.
— Sharon Hope Irwin, Sydney: Ms. Irwin has devoted 40 years to ensuring that child care is inclusive, affordable, accessible and comprehensive. Her daycare centre successfully integrated children with visual impairments, children who had brittle bone disease and children with cerebral palsy. She created the non-profit SpeciaLink: The National Centre for Early Childhood Inclusion and went on the road to share her message of inclusion throughout Canada.
— Alistair MacLeod, Dunvegan, Inverness Co. (posthumous): Mr. MacLeod is recognized as one of Cape Breton’s finest literary voices. He was deeply influenced by the Gaelic language and culture of his people and was able to translate the spirit and value of oral traditions into his stories, which in turn, were translated into 17 languages. His work has been acknowledged by numerous accolades, including in 2001, the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for his novel, No Great Mischief.
The Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council selects recipients for the honour from nominations received from fellow Nova Scotians.
The 2015 recipients were recognized at the 14th investiture ceremony at Province House in Halifax.
The Order of Nova Scotia was established in 2001 and is the highest honour bestowed by the province. Recipients have the right to use the initials O.N.S. after their names.
Source: Release
