Toronto, January 2, 2024 – The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, has announced 25 new appointments to the Order of Ontario for 2023 including Dr. Peter Simon, President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory (RCM). Dr. Simon, also a recipient of the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary, has been recognized for his work in reshaping “Ontario’s musical education landscape one student at a time” as well as transforming the RCM over his 33-year tenure “into one of the world’s most respected music institutions” according to the Ontario Government news release about the appointments. Dr. Simon was also cited for the creation of Learning Through the Arts as well as spearheading “the creation of Koerner Hall, acclaimed as one of the finest acoustic venues in the world.”
“I would like to congratulate my fellow appointees to the 2023 Order of Ontario – this is an illustrious group, and I am proud and humbled to be included amongst them. Enabling all Ontarians to experience the transformative power of music continues to be a deeply personal initiative because ultimately it is through music and the arts that we satisfy our need for meaning and belonging and are able to explore the deepest levels of human awareness and experience,” said Dr. Peter Simon. “Music has a unique power to connect people in a truly profound way and is therefore critical to achieving the mutual accommodation and understanding that is the basis of a cohesive and successful society.”
The Order of Ontario – the province’s highest honour – recognizes leaders from all walks of life who have made extraordinary contributions in helping to build a stronger province, nation, and world. Members of the Order represent various sectors of society including education, culture, health care, and journalism, and since its creation in 1986, more than 800 people have been recognized. Appointments to the Order are made on the recommendation of an independent advisory council based on the merit of accomplishments of nominees put forward by members of the public.
“As Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, it is my privilege to congratulate the Order’s appointees for 2023. These Ontarians have demonstrated the highest levels of merit, excellence and dedication in their respective disciplines, and they have made significant impacts here at home and around the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont. “Our province gratefully acknowledges their remarkable contributions, which inspire us all to be leaders and change-makers.”
“I am proud of the incredible breadth and depth of talent we have here in Ontario. Each one of these exceptional Ontarians are leaders and trailblazers who exemplify the best of our province,” said Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “Their achievements, dedication and leadership have contributed to building a stronger Ontario and a better world for all. On behalf of a grateful province, congratulations to all the appointees being recognized.”
Among the 2023 Order of Ontario appointees, those who have made contributions to Canada’s arts and music industries include:
Hon. David Collenette – Ottawa
The Honourable David Collenette served as a Member of Parliament and cabinet minister under three prime ministers. Among his many achievements, he helped bring former Warsaw Pact nations into NATO, changed federal policy toward racial equality and diversity and led Canada’s security response to 9/11. He has contributed countless hours to numerous not-for-profit projects, including the arts and as chair of the NATO Association of Canada.
John English – Guelph
Professor John English brings history to life, shaping our understanding of our past and place in the world today. Among his many works are best-selling biographies of Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. He brought his expertise to organizations such as the Canadian International Council and the Dictionary of Canadian Biography/Dictionionnaire biographique du Canada. Professor English also served as a Member of Parliament and received the Order of Canada.
Blake C. Goldring – Toronto
Blake C. Goldring is a business leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose certainty of character and respect for others has defined his leadership. As Executive Chairman of AGF Management Limited, Blake’s business acumen is unquestioned. As a lifelong philanthropist with a deep sense of citizenship and devotion to the arts, education, health and the military, he has supported a long list of organizations and causes including the Toronto Symphony; Sunnybrook Health Sciences and Canada Company, a non-profit he founded to support the Canadian military.
Dwayne Morgan – Ajax
When Dwayne Morgan discovered a love of writing in high school, the “spoken-word” genre didn’t exist. As a Black teenager from Scarborough, few doors opened, and he launched “Up From The Roots Entertainment”, producing opportunities for other racialized artists. He lobbied the League of Canadian Poets to include performance poets, produced North America’s two largest spoken-word events and has performed globally. His words – and actions — inspire.
Peter Simon – Niagara-on-the-Lake
Dr. Peter Simon has reshaped Ontario’s musical education landscape one student at a time. Over his 33-year tenure as President of The Royal Conservatory of Music, he transformed it into one of the world’s most respected music institutions. He created Learning Through the Arts, reaching hundreds of thousands of students in schools across Canada, along with seniors and Indigenous youth. Dr. Simon spearheaded the creation of Koerner Hall, acclaimed as one of the finest acoustic venues in the world.
Gary Slaight – North York
President and CEO of Slaight Communications, Gary Slaight continues to shape Canada’s entertainment landscape by supporting Canadian artists. As CEO of Standard Broadcasting, founded by his late father, Allan Slaight, Gary transformed the company into a leading force. Committed to making a difference, he continues the family’s philanthropy by supporting various causes, including healthcare, mental health, social services, at-risk youth, Toronto theatre and emerging Canadian artists.
For a complete list and description of the 2023 Order of Ontario appointees, click here.
About The Royal Conservatory of Music
The Royal Conservatory of Music is one of the largest music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, teacher certification, and arts-based social programs. Over 500,000 students study its RCM Certificate Program through a network of 30,000 independent music teachers and its over 5 million alumni include Glenn Gould, Oscar Peterson, Shania Twain, Sarah McLachlan, and David Foster.
Learn more at rcmusic.com.
