Margaret Atwood, C.C.

Margaret Atwood is one of the most celebrated authors in Canadian history. Having published over 50 books, translated into more than 45 languages, her work has shaped global discourse on democracy, power, and the environment.

Edward Burtynsky, O.C.

Edward Burtynsky is among the world’s most acclaimed contemporary photographers. His large-scale images, which are held in over 80 major museums, have sparked global conversations on sustainability, climate, and industry.

Robert Lepage, C.C.

Robert Lepage is a globally renowned Québécois playwright, actor, and director, known for revolutionizing stagecraft through multimedia storytelling. In 1994, he founded Ex Machina, a multidisciplinary company that has brought Canadian theatre to the world stage.

Sarah McLachlan, O.C.

Sarah McLachlan is one of Canada’s most beloved musical icons and the creator of the groundbreaking Lilith Fair tour, which showcased female musicians and raised over $7 million for local and national women’s charities. A committed philanthropist, she founded the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, which offers free, high-quality music education to at-risk and underserved children and youth facing barriers to access.

Kent Monkman, O.C.

Kent Monkman is a groundbreaking Cree artist whose interventions into Western art history explore colonization, sexuality, and resilience. His gender-fluid alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, reclaims space for Indigenous narratives and identities.