THE HONOURABLE
CHRYSTIA FREELAND
Our Uni-Rose Medallists
Jennifer Baichwal Documentary Filmmaker and Philanthropist Co-founder of Mercury Films and has been directing and producing documentaries for 30 years. Among other films, installations and lens-based projects, she has made 10 feature documentaries which have played all over the world and won awards nationally and internationally. Baichwal sits on the board of Swim Drink Fish Canada and Access Education Guatemala. She was previously a Director of the Board of the Toronto International Film Festival and co-chair of Human Rights Watch Canada Film Festival. She is committed to issues of social and environmental justice, and both advocates for and makes pro bono videos for organizations that support these causes.
Jaden Braves Founder, Young Politicians of Canada Jaden is a champion of youth civic engagement and youth-centred policy, empowering the next generation of leaders.
Stephanie Cepuch Fighting Food Insecurity Program Coordinator for the Avenue Road Food Bank, Stefanie plays a vital community service role and is dedicated to addressing the needs of vulnerable community members.
Hon Col Donald J Cranston Hon Col of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and former Vice-Chair of the National Council of Honorary Colonels.
Barbara Fingerote Librarian , Theatre Volunteer and Champion Barbara has served on executives and committees for Canadian Library Association for Special Libraries and Information Services, Special Libraries Association, Toronto Association for Law Libraries, Canadian Association for Law Libraries. For 40 years, Barbara has volunteered for Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts and numerous production and festivals and is an honorary member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association (2016). First recipient of the Barbara Fingerote Volunteer Award presented by the Harold Awards Committee (2012).
John Fortney Community Advocate and Fundraising Leader A dedicated Community advocate, John has contributed his time and energy to a wide range of causes including Sick Kids Hospital, Casey House, St John’s Ambulance and over 25 years a very active member of The Rotary Club of Toronto, including being President during Covid. For two decades John also ran his own annual event, by himself. Funds raised went to Rotary, Project Warmth, Daily Bread Food Bank, but, mostly, to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. For PMCC he envisioned and built a Family Centre on the Palliative Care Floor among other projects and has raised approx.$400,000 for the hospital.
Thomas Knott Champion for Greener Spaces and Youth Support, Thomas helped lead the 2023 Pricefield Park Revitalization Project, uniting students, city staff, and residents to create a greener, more inclusive neighbourhood space. He also supports youth through the Rotary Toronto Eglinton’s Youth Committee - Trails Youth Initiative and Philpott Children’s Tennis Programs. These provide free programs to children in priority neighbourhoods.
Gordon Lam Champion of Heritage, Health, and Civic Engagement Gordon Lam is a distinguished community leader and President of the Lem Si Ho Tong Society—one of Toronto’s oldest Chinese Canadian family associations, founded in 1920 by Chinese immigrants—as well as President of the Chinese Canadian Liberal Association. His leadership spans cultural preservation, health advocacy, and civic engagement. Through promoting Chinese Canadian heritage, organizing major health fundraisers and symposiums, and fostering political awareness, Gordon continues to enrich Canada’s multicultural and civic landscape.
HLCol Harold Latner Business, Philanthropy and Public Service Presently Ht Col Harold (Hal) Latner is Chairman of Envoy Holdings Ltd and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Own). He is an advocate for affordable housing, arts, medical science research and military families. His dedication to service will continue improving life for generations of Canadians.
Derwin Mak Author and volunteer with St. John Ambulance since 1992, contributing to various committees in Ontario, including founding the Toronto Region Museum. He also served on the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Toronto Council. A passionate advocate for Canadian literature and multiculturalism, Derwin has edited anthologies of Asian Canadian science fiction, and his short story “Transubstantiation” was the first by a Chinese Canadian to win the Aurora Award, Canada’s national science fiction award.
Shaffni Nalir Muslim Community Leader Shaffni is the General Manager of the Toronto Islamic Centre. He is a recognized leader in the Islamic community, with a strong focus on youth engagement and community-based policy development. His work continues to build bridges across diverse communities and foster inclusive civic dialogue.
Jeffrey Zammitt Police Officer and Community Advocate Jeffrey is a 38-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service’s 14 Division and has been a pillar of community safety and engagement. He is a well-known police officer in the Chinese community and has dedicated himself to supporting vulnerable populations and addressing community concerns through outreach initiatives.
Pinchas Gutter Holocaust Educator and Jewish Community Leader Pinchas is a Holocaust survivor, educator and community leader with Kiever Synagogue. where he has been honorary Cantor conducting Services for 40 years. A pioneer of the Dimensions in Testimony project which allows audiences to interact with his recorded testimony in real time, he has been featured in many films and has been dedicated to Holocaust history preservation and education.
Myra White Childhood Education Advocate Myra is the CFO and Vice President of First International Couriers and a dedicated Board Member of Access Education Guatemala Children's Fund, which ensures children in Guatemala have access to education. The Fund builds and donates primary, middle, and secondary schools to the public system, opening doors to brighter futures.
Staff Sergeant Albert Hastings Honoured Leader in Community, Safety, and Sport Albert Hastings has served the University of Toronto and the Toronto community for over 34 years. A long-time Special Olympics coordinator, he received the 52 Division’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award and the 2020 Community Member Award for his role on the World Special Olympics Executive Board.
Ellen Valter Estonian Community Leader Ellen is an Estonian-Canadian community leader and builder who has dedicated her career to Estonian heritage, history, identity and multiculturalism in Canada. She is the project Lead for the KESKUS International Estonian Centre, which will be an architectural jewel and inclusive cultural centre in the heart of University-Rosedale.
Karim Kanji Business Leader and Global Advocate Karim is the CEO of Sutter Hill Properties, a privately held company with a portfolio of real estate holdings across Canada and the United States. His diverse holdings include office towers, multi-family communities, senior care facilities, and shopping centres. Mr. Kanji's entrepreneurial success was recognized in 2024 when he was an Ontario finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Kanji is deeply committed to philanthropy in arts, education, and healthcare. He actively supports or has supported numerous organizations including The Museum of Contemporary Arts, Princess Margaret Hospital, the Glenn Gould Foundation, Junior Achievement of Central Ontario, and Sistema Toronto - contributing to the cultural and social well-being of enriching society. In addition, Mr. Kanji serves as an Officer and Vice President at the NATO Association of Canada. In this role he has led initiatives to engage diverse communities with NATO’s mission, promoting Canada’s global stability through multilateralism.
Adrienne Rosen Pioneering CEO and LGBTQI+ Advocate Adrienne is an entrepreneur, feminist activist, and community leader. As CEO of First International Courier Systems, which she co-founded in 1984, she has led innovation in the biotech landscape. A lifelong advocate, Adrienne played a key role in landmark actions like the Brunswick Four protest, advancing LGBTQ+ rights in Canada.
Donald Cranston Dedicated to Service, Heritage, and Leadership Donald’s service as Honorary Colonel of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and former Vice-Chair of the National Council of Honorary Colonels reflects his deep commitment to our country's military heritage. As Chair of Reserves 2050, the Thirteenth (XIII) Regiment Foundation and more, Donald continues to play a vital role in preserving and supporting our national legacy.
Maureen Jennings Celebrated Canadian Author Maureen is the award-winning author of the beloved Murdoch Mysteries book series, which inspired the long-running CBC television adaptation now in its 18th season. Her work has made a lasting impact on Canadian culture, captivating audiences with historical depth and rich storytelling.
Veiko Parming Estonian Community Leader A strong advocate for multiculturalism and Estonian heritage in Canada, Veiko serves as President of Estonian House in Toronto, Vice-Chair of the International Estonian Centre Inc., and Vice- Chair of the Estonian Arts Centre, helping to preserve and promote Estonian culture within Canada.
Steven Moore Champion of Community Safety Steven is a seasoned police manager with over 35 years of experience and multiple awards for leadership, investigations, and community policing. As Staff Sergeant at the University of Toronto Campus Safety Service, he launched a canine program to support student mental health. He has received over a dozen awards for exemplary service and outstanding contributions to his field and community.
James Kelly Lifelong Commitment to Duty, Honour, and Community James served with distinction for 30 years in the Toronto Police Service. In retirement, he remains deeply committed to veteran welfare, actively organizing commemorative parades and events that honour the service and sacrifice of Canada’s veterans.
Thomas Knott Champion for Greener Spaces and Youth Support Thomas helped lead the 2023 Pricefield Park Revitalization Project, uniting students, city staff, and residents to create a greener, more inclusive neighbourhood space. He also supports youth through the Rotary Toronto Eglinton’s Youth Committee and the Philpott Children’s Tennis Program, which provides free tennis lessons to children in priority neighbourhoods.
Kathryn Langley Hope Advocate for Security, Culture, and LGBTQ+ Rights Kathryn is a committed community leader and former Vice President of the NATO Association of Canada. She founded Toronto’s "Love is Love Bus" LGBTQ+ advocacy campaign and supports arts and culture as a board member and patron of institutions like the ROM, Bata Shoe Museum, and the AGO. A long-time volunteer, she’s also active with the Humane Society and the Salvation Army’s “Out of the Cold” program.
Harold Latner Champion of Affordable Housing Harold spearheaded Shiplake’s collaboration with the City of Toronto to help develop and launch the Open Door Affordable Housing Program, creating accessible housing options for low- income residents. As the leader of Shiplake—a third-generation, family-owned business building connected communities and happy homes for nearly 80 years—Harold brought both expertise and a deep commitment to community impact.
Dr. Itah Sadu Champion of African and Black Canadian Stories and Heritage, Itah is an award-winning children’s author, griot and co-owner of A Different Booklist, a Toronto bookstore dedicated to African and Caribbean Canadian literature. She is also the Managing Director of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre and the founder of Toronto’s annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train.
Professor Lynne Viola Award Winning Expert on Russian and Ukrainian History Professor Emerita in Soviet History at the University of Toronto Munk School of Global Affairs, Prof Viola has published over 30 articles, five books and edited 19 books.
Major Chris Wattie Chris has served 19 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and built a 25-year career in media and the arts. A former political journalist and war correspondent in Afghanistan, he authored the book "Contact Charlie: The Canadian Army, The Taliban, and the Battle For Afghanistan." As an Army Reserve Officer, he deployed to Iraq, Latvia, and most recently Ukraine, where he supported NATO training for the Armed Forces Ukraine. His work has earned international recognition, including a U.S. Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Ukraine commander's medal. As a journalist and author, he informed the public about the contributions of Canadian soldiers abroad, bringing global recognition to their service.
Harriet Wichin Arts Leader and Community Builder For more than 25 years, Harriet Wichin made her mark on Toronto as an arts leader and builder of an important community hub and place for connection. Recently retired as executive director of the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, Harriet initiated dialogue and partnerships between the downtown Jewish community and neighbouring institutions, and created a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds. She championed a wide range of music, performing and visual arts projects, promoted Holocaust education, built lasting cultural bridges and was a consistent supporter of access and inclusion for people of all abilities.
Garfield Mahood Trailblazer in Tobacco Control and Public Health Garfield is a pioneering leader in tobacco control. As former Executive Director of the Non-Smokers’ Rights Association and current President of the Campaign for Justice on Tobacco Fraud, he helped shape tobacco laws in Canada. His work has earned him global recognition including a World Health Organization Gold Medal. Gar was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Canada in 2007
David Wilson Award-Winning Canadian Historian David is the General Editor of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, the largest bilingual project in Canadian Humanities. This includes over 9000 biographies of Canadians from all walks of life. He has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and has written and edited over 12 books. David is considered one of Canada’s top historians.
Mary-Helen Spence Community Leader and Environmental Advocate Mary-Helen is a community leader for the University-Rosedale ABC Resident’s Group, known for founding the Avenue Road Safety Coalition and driving initiatives to improve livability and social connection. As past Mississauga Ward 2 Councillor, she was elected following her leadership in environmental campaigns, including efforts to protect the Rattray Marsh.
Anjum Sultana Women and Children’s Advocate As the Inaugural Director of Youth Leadership and Policy Advocacy at Plan International Canada, a global development and humanitarian charity, Anjum has been a strong advocate for children’s rights and the equality of girls globally.
Major David Shaw Defender of Canada David has served in the Canadian Armed Forces since 2006 and is a valued member of The Royal Regiment of Canada, a Primary Reserve Infantry Unit. He has completed three deployments to Iraq, earning international recognition, including a U.S. Joint Service Commendation Medal. He is recognized for his dedication, service, and values.
Michael Munroe Leader and Advocate in Crisis Support Management Michael holds numerous certifications in critical incident management, crisis preparedness, violence risk assessment, investigative interviewing, trauma counselling, and leadership. He is also a certified complaint coordinator under the Ontario Police Services Act, with specialized training in supporting front-line workers and post-secondary environments.
Dennis Kan Champion in Medicine and Public Health Dennis is a long-standing volunteer in Emergency Medicine who supported the establishment of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, helping to advance international best practice. He also volunteers with St. John Ambulance, demonstrating his enduring commitment to public health and safety.
Kazimierz “Chuck” Konkel Bridge-Builder of Communities Chuck was a specialist in international relations and security and was instrumental in strengthening Polish-Canadian relations. A lifelong advocate for refugee rights, championing the rights of diverse communities, Chuck also made a memorable appearance on the David Letterman Show as a writer.
Morley Lem Chinese Community Leader A dedicated Chinese community leader, Morley made significant contributions to the Chinese Canadian diaspora and to Canadian multiculturalism. He served on numerous civic and ethnic community associations, co-founded the Chinese Canadian Dental Society, and played a role in gaining national recognition for the contributions of Chinese rail workers to Canada’s history.