15 British Columbians receiving Order of BC
Posted May 31, 2019 8:19 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – After 209 nominations, the list of those receiving British Columbia’s highest honour has been narrowed down to 15. The newest members of the Order of BC were announced on May 31, and NEWS 1130 spoke with some of the recipients.
Vancouver’s Carl Walters is a retired fisheries professor, trying to pass on what he’s learned to others.
“I still go into my UBC office every day and pester the last couple of students that I have, and enjoy the work as much as I can,” he says. “I try to help out with some fisheries policy, especially about how to bring the salmon back to the Georgia Strait.”
Pat Carney says in her career as a journalist and a politician, it’s amazing to see how much our province has changed. Her message?
“Keep on trying and keep on contributing, and if you’re lucky like me, you’ll be recognized for it in addition to the pleasure you get from helping other people.”
Vancity’s Tamara Vrooman lives in Vancouver and says she still has plenty of work to do.
“I think we need to ensure that this is a place where people can afford to live, that this is a place that is sustainable from an environmental point of view, and it’s a place that’s welcoming to people from all backgrounds,” she says. “Accessibility and creating employment opportunities for people with diverse abilities is a big priority for me, personally.”
Concert pianist Jane Coop, also of Vancouver, says the acknowledgement is an important one for B.C.’s music scene.
“If people are being honoured who are in the arts, I think it send the message that the province does treasure them,” she says. “If we didn’t have the arts, we’d be much the poorer.”
They and eleven others will be presented with their awards on Friday, June 28 at a ceremony taking place at Government House in Victoria.
