February 21, 2019
Province Appoints Three New Members to Order of Manitoba Advisory Council
The Manitoba government has appointed three new members to the Order of Manitoba Advisory Council, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.
“I am pleased to welcome three distinguished Manitobans – Yvon Dumont, James Spencer and Susan Thompson – to the Order of Manitoba Advisory Council,” said Pallister. “They will play a key role in recommending nominees for the Order of Manitoba, our province’s highest honour.”
Yvon Dumont is a former lieutenant-governor of Manitoba and the first Métis person in Canadian history to hold a vice-regal office. Born and raised in St. Laurent, he is a former municipal councillor for the community, as well as an entrepreneur and small business owner. He was a founding member of the Native Council of Canada (1972), and has held several senior positions within the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), the Native Council of Canada (now the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples) and the Métis National Council (MNC). He has served on the University of Manitoba’s board of governors, and has received several prestigious awards including the Manitoba Metis Federation Award (1993), the National Aboriginal Achievement Award (1996), and the Order of Manitoba (2001).
James (Jim) Spencer is currently an independent consultant, after retiring from MLT Aikins LLP as a project manager and chief operating officer. Spencer’s past work experience includes being a former general manager of Red River Co-op and a former president of the Winnipeg Convention Centre. His extensive volunteer experience includes serving as a board member of the Manitoba Museum, Tourism Winnipeg and the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.
Susan Thompson was the first woman to serve as mayor of Winnipeg, serving two terms from 1992 to 1998. This was among many firsts for Thompson. She was the first woman to own her family business, Birt Saddlery, in downtown Winnipeg. She was the first woman rotarian in Manitoba, the first woman consul general at the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis, the first president of the Urban Idea Centre in Winnipeg and the founding president and CEO of the University of Winnipeg Foundation. Thompson is also a proud lifetime sponsor of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg.
The Order of Manitoba recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour benefiting in an outstanding manner the social, cultural or economic well-being of Manitoba and its residents.
A 10-member advisory council evaluates all nominations and recommends candidates to the lieutenant-governor of Manitoba, who serves as the chancellor of the order.
The premier thanked outgoing members whose terms have expired for their commitment and contribution to the advisory council. These appointments are part of the Manitoba government’s efforts to continue to refresh the agencies, boards and commissions of the province, ensuring that Manitobans continue to be represented in these important positions by highly qualified and enthusiastic individuals, he added.
- 30 -