Well-known Canadian hockey figure Don Cherry has been named among 30 new appointees to the Order of Ontario for 2025. Photo: The Don Cherry’s Grapevine Podcast
Well-known Canadian hockey figure Don Cherry has been named among 30 new appointees to the Order of Ontario for 2025.
Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced these appointments on Tuesday.
At 92 years old, Cherry is recognized for his impactful coaching career, distinctive broadcasting style, and lifelong commitment to hockey, according to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. After leading the Boston Bruins as a coach, he became a key voice on Hockey Night in Canada through Coach’s Corner.
Cherry is also known for his extensive charitable work, supporting military personnel and police forces, youth sports initiatives, and animal welfare through Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation.
In the late 1990s, he played a vital role in bringing junior hockey to Mississauga as part-owner of the Ice Dogs franchise. He coached this team during his final year with them in 2001-02.
He established Rose Cherry’s Home for Kids and advocates strongly for organ donation. In 2004, CBC ranked him as the seventh-greatest Canadian in its series The Greatest Canadian.
Cherry was let go by Sportsnet in 2019 after making comments on air that seemed to blame newcomers to Canada for not honoring traditions like wearing poppies on Remembrance Day. He continued his broadcasting journey with his podcast Grapevine alongside his son Tim. The last episode of Don Cherry’s Grapevine aired in June 2025.
An additional Mississauga resident honored with an appointment is Ahmad Attia.
A leader in global public affairs and communications, Ahmad Attia has worked tirelessly to promote inclusive public policy, human rights, and civic trust both in Canada and worldwide.
Ahmad Attia from Mississauga is a leader in global public affairs and communications whose efforts have advanced inclusive public policy, human rights, and civic trust both domestically and abroad.
As CEO of Gestalt Communications, he advises various entities including governments and non-profits on governance issues, accountability measures, humanitarian diplomacy practices, and countering misinformation.
A strong advocate within Ontario communities through board service at Trillium Health Partners, Human Rights Watch Canada, and Peel Police Services Board has helped strengthen community confidence during his tenure.
A recipient of a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award, Attia is celebrated for his leadership in policy-making and engaging the public while reinforcing democratic institutions.
“I dedicate this great honour to my late father, Dr. El-Tantawy Attia, who devoted his life to strengthening communities and public institutions across this province,” Attia stated. “This recognition reinforces my responsibility to continue advancing community well-being, human rights , and strengthening institutions that serve the public good , whether through my work at Gestalt Communications or through public service.”
Savoring this moment meaningfully aligns with Attia’s faith tradition which encourages responding to blessings with acts of charity. He plans to support his mother’s fundraiser aimed at rebuilding Muneeba Centre (Deen Support Services), creating a permanent accessible home for young Muslims living with disabilities in Mississauga.
The Order of Ontario honors those whose dedicated service has significantly contributed toward building a stronger Ontario and Canada overall. Members come from diverse backgrounds representing various fields such as public service , skilled trades , business , technology , mining , sports , arts , health care , science among many others.
“The 2025 Order of Ontario appointees represent the very best of our province,” Dumont commented. “Through their exceptional dedication and achievements , they have made profound contributions that have touched lives across Ontario and beyond. May their remarkable examples continue to inspire us all to work together for greater good.”
Additional Greater Toronto Area residents who received appointments include Cameron Bailey (CEO of Toronto International Film Festival), diplomat David Mac Naughton along with broadcaster Tracy Moore known widely as an advocate co-created Citytv’s award-winning special Ending Racism: What Will it Take?
The individuals appointed will be invested during a ceremony set for Toronto in 2026.
The full list includes:
Ahmad Attia Cameron Bailey Arron Barberian Major-General (Retd) Jean-Robert Bernier OMM CD John B. W. Carmichael Jamaica Cass Don Cherry Donette Chin-Loy Chang Robert James Cusimano Philip J. Devereaux Morris Freedman Jacques Frémont Kathleen Gartke Amanda Grzyb Zabeen Hirji MSM Shirley Horn Bernard Lawless Nathan Leipciger CM David Mac Naughton Joe Mancinelli Claudette Mc Gowan CM Tracy Moore Edward Rogers Richard Rooney John L. Semple Nancy Mei Chun Siew Stephen J. R. Smith The Honourable George Strathy J. David Wake KC Mary Wells INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
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Cherry was let go by Sportsnet in 2019 after making comments on air that seemed to blame newcomers to Canada for not honoring traditions like wearing poppies on Remembrance Day. He continued his broadcasting journey with his podcast Grapevine alongside his son Tim. The last episode of Don Cherry’s Grapevine aired in June 2025.
An additional Mississauga resident honored with an appointment is Ahmad Attia.
A leader in global public affairs and communications, Ahmad Attia has worked tirelessly to promote inclusive public policy, human rights, and civic trust both in Canada and worldwide.
Ahmad Attia from Mississauga is a leader in global public affairs and communications whose efforts have advanced inclusive public policy, human rights, and civic trust both domestically and abroad.
As CEO of Gestalt Communications, he advises various entities including governments and non-profits on governance issues, accountability measures, humanitarian diplomacy practices, and countering misinformation.
A strong advocate within Ontario communities through board service at Trillium Health Partners, Human Rights Watch Canada, and Peel Police Services Board has helped strengthen community confidence during his tenure.
A recipient of a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award, Attia is celebrated for his leadership in policy-making and engaging the public while reinforcing democratic institutions.
“I dedicate this great honour to my late father, Dr. El-Tantawy Attia, who devoted his life to strengthening communities and public institutions across this province,” Attia stated. “This recognition reinforces my responsibility to continue advancing community well-being, human rights , and strengthening institutions that serve the public good , whether through my work at Gestalt Communications or through public service.”
Savoring this moment meaningfully aligns with Attia’s faith tradition which encourages responding to blessings with acts of charity. He plans to support his mother’s fundraiser aimed at rebuilding Muneeba Centre (Deen Support Services), creating a permanent accessible home for young Muslims living with disabilities in Mississauga.
The Order of Ontario honors those whose dedicated service has significantly contributed toward building a stronger Ontario and Canada overall. Members come from diverse backgrounds representing various fields such as public service , skilled trades , business , technology , mining , sports , arts , health care , science among many others.
“The 2025 Order of Ontario appointees represent the very best of our province,” Dumont commented. “Through their exceptional dedication and achievements , they have made profound contributions that have touched lives across Ontario and beyond. May their remarkable examples continue to inspire us all to work together for greater good.”
Additional Greater Toronto Area residents who received appointments include Cameron Bailey (CEO of Toronto International Film Festival), diplomat David Mac Naughton along with broadcaster Tracy Moore known widely as an advocate co-created Citytv’s award-winning special Ending Racism: What Will it Take?
The individuals appointed will be invested during a ceremony set for Toronto in 2026.
The full list includes:
Ahmad Attia Cameron Bailey Arron Barberian Major-General (Retd) Jean-Robert Bernier OMM CD John B. W. Carmichael Jamaica Cass Don Cherry Donette Chin-Loy Chang Robert James Cusimano Philip J. Devereaux Morris Freedman Jacques Frémont Kathleen Gartke Amanda Grzyb Zabeen Hirji MSM Shirley Horn Bernard Lawless Nathan Leipciger CM David Mac Naughton Joe Mancinelli Claudette Mc Gowan CM Tracy Moore Edward Rogers Richard Rooney John L. Semple Nancy Mei Chun Siew Stephen J. R. Smith The Honourable George Strathy J. David Wake KC Mary Wells INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 66，057 Votes
All Time :1，228，626 Votes2494 VOTES
