Long-time TWUC member David Waltner-Toews appointed as an Officer in the Order of Canada

On June 29, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, announced new appointments to the Order of Canada, one of the highest honours given by the Canadian government. The appointments included long-time TWUC member David Waltner-Toews as an Officer of the Order, one of 13 officers announced today. David was appointed "For his leadership and expertise in ecosystem approaches to health, and for supporting development worldwide."

While the appointment is not for writing per se, this work has provided the basis for the more than twenty works of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction he has published over the past thirty years.

Although I am not big on orders and officers, the Order of Canada was created in 1967, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, "to honour people whose service shapes our society, whose innovations ignite our imaginations, and whose compassion unites our communities." The motto of the Order is Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (they desire a better country). This is a motto I with which I can agree.