Actor Ryan Reynolds (left) and Dr. Penny Ballem are among 14 people awarded B.C.'s highest honour in 2023. (Photo credit: Wikipedia (Reynolds) Province of B.C. (Ballem)

By Pete McIntyre

highest honour

Actor and Covid vaccine leader top list of 2023 Order of B.C. recipients

Aug 7, 2023 | 6:30 AM

Actor Ryan Reynolds and Dr. Penny Ballam are among 14 people who have been appointed to the Order of British Columbia.

The province’s highest honour is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding provincial, national or international impact.

The latest recipients were unveiled on B.C. Day, Aug. 7.

Reynolds is the Vancouver-born A-list actor who also gives back to his home province.

“While Reynolds’ acting talent is impressive, his philanthropic efforts and support for various charitable causes off-screen are even more awe-inspiring. He is a leading man who leads from the heart,” the province stated.

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Dr. Penny Ballem is known as the leader of B.C.’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

“This remarkable achievement is the most recent in Ballem’s long history of taking on complex challenges, building outstanding teams, working harder than most people would believe is possible and delivering an impressive result,” the province said of the Montreal-raised Ballem.

The physician’s career of service also included several years as the city manager of Vancouver and came in addition to her role as a parent, and having a wide network of family and friends.

“Whether taking the time to discuss someone’s urgent health issues, showing up to help stop a basement from flooding or mending someone’s socks, Ballem never said she did not have time to help,” the province said.

Appointed to the Order for 2023 are:

• Dr. Penny J. Ballem of Vancouver
• Evanna Brennan of Vancouver
• Dr. Jane Buxton of Vancouver
• Pieter R. Cullis, OC, of Vancouver
• Samuel L. Feldman of Vancouver
• Gordon J. Fyfe of Saanich
• Susan Giles of Vancouver
• Byng Giraud of Winlaw
• Chief Councillor Harold Leighton of Prince Rupert
• Susan E. Paish, KC, of North Vancouver
• George C. Reifel, MGC, of Vancouver
• Ryan Reynolds of New York, N.Y.
• Daljit Thind of Vancouver
• Patricia Woroch of Surrey

Biographies of the recipients can be found here.

B.C.’s lieutenant governor Janet Austin welcomed the 14 members.

“This honour is a mark of excellence, reflected in the service and achievements of these incredible British Columbians,” Austin said. “Their accomplishments have left an indelible mark on their communities, and ensuing legacies will impact our province to the benefit of future generations.”

Austin said 224 British Columbians were nominated this year, and the new additions bring the total membership of the Order of B.C. to 503.

“While they are not officially part of the Marvel Universe, these 14 remarkable individuals are superheroes,” Premier David Eby said. “They have contributed in unique and profound ways to our province, our nation and beyond, through leadership, selflessness and generosity.”

An independent advisory council selects members of the Order of B.C., chaired by Robert J. Bauman, chief justice of British Columbia.