Three African Canadians are Among the Newest Members of the Order of Ontario

By Neil Armstrong

From left: Michael Lee-Chin, Myrtha Lapierre and Dr. Upton Allen were invested with the Order of Ontario at Queen's Park, Toronto on Feb. 27, 2018.  Photo credit: Eddie Grant

Three prominent African Canadians were among twenty appointees invested with the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, recently. Three others will be sworn in at a later date.

Myrtha Lapierre, a retired nursing professor in Ottawa; Dr. Upton Allen, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in Toronto; and Michael Lee-Chin, an entrepreneur and philanthropist of Burlington were among those who were honoured at an investiture ceremony held at Queen’s Park on February 27.

“Our province greatly values your work, you left your mark and in many ways you symbolize the aspirations of Ontarians,” said Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, who presided over the ceremony.

She noted that some of the appointees have advanced through knowledge and advocating for innovation and among them are public servants, educators, philanthropists and volunteers.

“You have fought racism, sexism and injustice everywhere. Through more and better services for those in need you have contributed to the development of a sense of belonging among our newcomers, and helped us walk the difficult yet essential path of reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.”

Lapierre broke barriers for black Francophone nurses in Canada and is a leader among Ottawa’s health professionals and the Haitian-Canadian community.

In 1956, Lapierre left Haiti for Ottawa to complete her post secondary education.

She subsequently earned her nursing diploma (1959), along with a BA in nursing education, (1961), and a Master in education (1975), all from Ottawa University, along with human resources management, intercultural communications and conflict resolution certificates.

Lapierre went on to teach nursing for 45 years; 36 years full-time and 9 years part-time (1961-2005). Myrtha was the first Black Francophone nurse in the Ottawa region, notes the blackincanada.com website.

It says through her volunteer work, Lapierre has empowered 1000 immigrant female nursing students to survive and succeed in the provincial education and health systems.

Dr. Allen’s approaches to treating hospital-borne diseases have prevented the deaths of countless children.

The pediatric infectious disease specialist’s multidisciplinary approach to preventing life-threatening infections among children with compromised immune systems has had profound national and global impacts.

“We have many people who are extremely accomplished. To be in their company is really just an honour and a very special privilege. I’m very grateful to have gotten this honour and I look forward to further wonderful work that will be in keeping with the pride that’s associated with this,” says Dr. Allen.

Dr. Allen is from Port Antonio, Jamaica where he attended Titchfield High School before going to the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, where he graduated with honours in medicine and therapeutics in 1981.
He came to Canada in 1983 to pursue specialized paediatric training at the Hospital for Sick Children.
Dr. Allen is also a professor of paediatrics and health policy management and evaluation at the University of Toronto.
In 2010 he received the Harry Jerome award for excellence in the medical profession.

“I think it’s important for people, like my son, to look up to role models, mentors, like the awardees – myself and others – as they move forward with their careers,” he says.

Dr. Allen hopes that he will inspire not just his children, but others from the community, particularly the African Canadian and Caribbean community.

Lee-Chin is an entrepreneur who believes in the power of giving back.
His gifts to local hospitals have improved patient care, and his historic contribution to the Royal Ontario Museum led to the creation of the iconic Michael Lee-Chin Crystal.
Lee-Chin, the founder and chairman of Portland Holdings Inc., was born in Port Antonio in 1951 and came to Canada in 1970.
He enrolled at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario to study engineering but after beginning post-graduate studies, he decided to explore career opportunities within the field of mutual funds. He became a financial advisor and, with growing success, soon progressed to branch manager.
Lee-Chin was the executive chairman of AIC Limited, an investment firm, and is known for his philanthropy which includes a donation of $5 million to McMaster University to establish the AIC Institute of Strategic Business Studies at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business.
His pledge of $30 million to the Royal Ontario Museum’s Renaissance ROM Campaign resulted in the avant-garde glass extension of the ROM – the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal gallery.
In 2011, he was appointed chancellor of Sir Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.

“Honours are like the scoreboard but my focus has to be on the playing field. Sometimes you get these honours and you say, wow, I was just doing what I’m passionate about and you keep doing what you’re passionate about and over time you’re recognized,” says Lee-Chin.

He said 40 years ago he accepted a job offer to be a financial advisor wondering what to do with his accent.

“Do I need to blend in, do I drop the accent, and I came to the answer -- No, I want to be the best person that I can be and that is the best me that I can be therefore the accent stays.”

He said having a heavy accent meant people had to listen to what he was saying and it made him different.

“Today, business schools will tell you, they teach that you should always try to differentiate yourself. You don’t want to be like everybody else. Implicitly, my differences were obvious. I embraced my differences because I didn’t want to be someone else.”

The Order of Ontario recognizes individuals whose exceptional achievements in their field have left a lasting legacy in the province, in Canada and beyond. Order members come from all walks of life, represent diverse professions and have played an important role in shaping our province.
“In Ontario, we are all treaty people, all here standing on the shoulders of so many who helped us on our path and those who went before,” said Premier Kathleen Wynne.
She told the recipients that they were remarkable people and while some may feel uncomfortable or unworthy they are all ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary things.
“Endless possibility is what you inspire,” Wynne said.
Actor and entrepreneur, Daniel Aykroyd, of Sydenham; former politician and UN ambassador, Allan Rock, of Ottawa; and criminal law scholar, Elizabeth Sheehy, of Ottawa were unable to attend and will be invested with the honour at a later date.
Appointments to the Order of Ontario are made on the recommendation of an independent advisory council based on public nominations.

The nomination deadline is March 31 each year. Anyone can nominate a resident or former long-term resident of Ontario for the honour which was established in 1986. 

Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the first investiture of appointees to the Order.