Famous Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry is among 30 new members of the Order of Ontario for 2025. Photo: The Don Cherry’s Grapevine Podcast
Famous Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry is among 30 new members of the Order of Ontario for 2025.
Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, shared the news about these new appointments on Tuesday.
Cherry, at age 92, has made a mark with his impactful coaching career, distinctive broadcasting style, and many years devoted to hockey, according to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. After his time coaching the Boston Bruins, he became a well-known figure on Hockey Night in Canada through Coach’s Corner.
Cherry is also known for his charitable work, supporting military personnel and police officers as well as youth sports and animal welfare through Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation.
In the late 1990s, he played a role in bringing junior hockey to Mississauga as part-owner of the Ice Dogs franchise, where he coached during his last year with the team 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 their series The Greatest Canadian.
Cherry was let go by Sportsnet in 2019 after making comments on-air that appeared to criticize newcomers to Canada for not honoring Remembrance Day by wearing poppies. 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 who received an appointment is Ahmad Attia.
Ahmad Attia is a leader in global public affairs and communications whose efforts have helped advance inclusive public policy, human rights, and civic trust both within Canada and globally.
Ahmad Attia from Mississauga is recognized as a leader in global public affairs and communications whose work has pushed forward inclusive public policy, human rights, and civic confidence both nationally and internationally.
As CEO of Gestalt Communications, he provides advice to governments and NGOs alike on governance issues, accountability matters, humanitarian diplomacy efforts, and tackling disinformation campaigns.
In Ontario specifically, he has worked to boost community confidence through board roles with Trillium Health Partners, Human Rights Watch Canada, and the Peel Police Services Board.
A recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award, he has been acknowledged for his leadership in policy development and public involvement that support democratic values.
“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.”
Attia mentioned that he’s celebrating this moment meaningfully by adhering to his faith tradition which emphasizes responding to blessings with acts of charity. He will assist with his mother’s fundraiser aimed at rebuilding Muneeba Centre (Deen Support Services), a permanent accessible home dedicated to young Muslims living with disabilities in Mississauga.
The Order of Ontario honors individuals whose exceptional contributions have helped create a stronger Ontario as well as Canada overall. Members hail from various backgrounds representing diverse sectors including public service; skilled trades; business; technology; mining; sports; arts; health care; science; among others.
“The appointees for the 2025 Order of Ontario embody our province’s finest,” said Dumont. “Through their extraordinary commitment and achievements they have made significant impacts that resonate across Ontario-and beyond-may their inspiring examples motivate us all toward collective progress.”
Other residents from Greater Toronto Area appointed include Cameron Bailey who serves as CEO for Toronto International Film Festival along with diplomat David Mac Naughton plus Tracy Moore-a renowned broadcaster who co-created Citytv’s award-winning special Ending Racism: What Will it Take?
The official investiture ceremony for those appointed will take place in Toronto during 2026.
The list includes those named to the Order of Ontario for 2025:
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: 32 ,770 Votes
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Cherry was let go by Sportsnet in 2019 after making comments on-air that appeared to criticize newcomers to Canada for not honoring Remembrance Day by wearing poppies. 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 who received an appointment is Ahmad Attia.
Ahmad Attia is a leader in global public affairs and communications whose efforts have helped advance inclusive public policy, human rights, and civic trust both within Canada and globally.
Ahmad Attia from Mississauga is recognized as a leader in global public affairs and communications whose work has pushed forward inclusive public policy, human rights, and civic confidence both nationally and internationally.
As CEO of Gestalt Communications, he provides advice to governments and NGOs alike on governance issues, accountability matters, humanitarian diplomacy efforts, and tackling disinformation campaigns.
In Ontario specifically, he has worked to boost community confidence through board roles with Trillium Health Partners, Human Rights Watch Canada, and the Peel Police Services Board.
A recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award, he has been acknowledged for his leadership in policy development and public involvement that support democratic values.
“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.”
Attia mentioned that he’s celebrating this moment meaningfully by adhering to his faith tradition which emphasizes responding to blessings with acts of charity. He will assist with his mother’s fundraiser aimed at rebuilding Muneeba Centre (Deen Support Services), a permanent accessible home dedicated to young Muslims living with disabilities in Mississauga.
The Order of Ontario honors individuals whose exceptional contributions have helped create a stronger Ontario as well as Canada overall. Members hail from various backgrounds representing diverse sectors including public service; skilled trades; business; technology; mining; sports; arts; health care; science; among others.
“The appointees for the 2025 Order of Ontario embody our province’s finest,” said Dumont. “Through their extraordinary commitment and achievements they have made significant impacts that resonate across Ontario-and beyond-may their inspiring examples motivate us all toward collective progress.”
Other residents from Greater Toronto Area appointed include Cameron Bailey who serves as CEO for Toronto International Film Festival along with diplomat David Mac Naughton plus Tracy Moore-a renowned broadcaster who co-created Citytv’s award-winning special Ending Racism: What Will it Take?
The official investiture ceremony for those appointed will take place in Toronto during 2026.
The list includes those named to the Order of Ontario for 2025:
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: 32 ,770 Votes
All Time: 1 ,260 ,713 Votes1749 VOTES
Source link
