Alumni named to Order of Canada
December 01, 2020
Two Western Law alumni are among the 114 people newly appointed to the Order of Canada.
Michele Leering, LLB’83, was named a Member of the Order, and John E. Peller, LLB’80, was named an Officer of the Order, by Governor General Julie Payette on November, 27, 2020.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of this country’s highest honours, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.
Leering, Executive Director of the Community Advocacy & Legal Centre in Belleville, Ontario, is being recognized for “her dedication to helping underprivileged and marginalized populations gain access to legal services and the justice system.”
Peller is president and chief executive officer for Andrew Peller Ltd. which operates Peller Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. He was recognized for “leading and expanding the family’s wine-producing company, and for his outstanding contributions to the Canadian wine industry.”
Nearly 7,500 Canadians have been named to the Order since its inception. Recipients come from diverse areas of society, but all embody the motto desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means “they desire a better country.”
The full list of appointees can be found here.
