June 30, 2025
On June 30, 2025, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, has made 83 new appointments to the Order of Canada.
The Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System. Since its creation in 1967, more than 8 200 people from all sectors of society have been appointed to the Order. The contributions of these trailblazers are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country.
This recent announcement honoured three individuals with Canadian-Caribbean roots for their outstanding contributions.
The three honourees, and the description of their contributions, are:
Tonya Williams, O.C.
Toronto, Ontario and Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Tonya Williams is an esteemed actor and passionate advocate for greater access and inclusion of racialized people in film and media. Founder, executive and artistic director of Reelworld Screen Institute and Reelworld Foundation, she helped build a diverse screen industry and has left an indelible mark on Canadian and international entertainment.
For more information on Tonya Williams see this link.
Claudette McGowan, C.M.
Aurora, Ontario
Claudette McGowan is a visionary leader in information technology. Notably, she is the founder and CEOof Protexxa, a Canadian-based cybersecurity company with international reach. She is an equally driven advocate for women and for the promotion of digital human rights within the technology industry and, more broadly, across global communities.
For more information on Claudette McGowan, see this link.
Ebonnie Rowe, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Ebonnie Rowe has been shaping the Canadian music industry for 30 years by supporting emerging female artists through her non-profit multicultural, multi-genre development program. An esteemed mentor in her field, she provides artists with performance and educational opportunities, as well as a safe space to be vulnerable and build confidence.