Reelworld Screen Institute founder Tonya Williams and former Astral Media executive Jacques Parisien are among the newly-announced appointees to the Order of Canada.
A longtime actor and advocate, Williams was named an Officer of the Order. She is the founder, executive and artistic director of the Reelworld Screen Institute and Reelworld Foundation, which work to foster professional development opportunities for racially diverse Canadian talent. Williams is best known for her role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on long-running day time drama, The Young and The Restless from 1990 to 2005, and again from 2007-12.
“She helped build a diverse screen industry and has left an indelible mark on Canadian and international entertainment,” her Order of Canada citation reads.
Appointed as a Member of the Order, Parisien was Executive Vice-President and COO of Astral Media, prior to its acquisition by Bell Media in 2013. Prior to Astral, he worked with Telemedia and has also served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Square Victoria Communications Group Inc. and Gesca ltée.
“He helped steer the growth of Astral Media’s radio division, positioning the company as one of the largest media enterprises in Canada,” his citation reads. “A dedicated philanthropist, he has supported several cultural, educational and community organizations, including the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts and the Pointe-à-Callière Museum.”
Other inductees include Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Greg Wells, Mixed Martial Arts champion Georges St-Pierre, former Buffalo Sabres head coach Ted Nolan, Montreal-based cartoonist Michel Rabagliati, the “father of Canadian blues music” and The Blues Brothers inspiration Donnie Walsh, writer Miriam Toews, B.C. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry, and Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Theresa Tam. Former Liberal cabinet minister John Manley received a promotion within the Order to Companion.
