Montreal, April 10 2024 - Montréal’s Executive Committee today ratified the nomination of 17 prominent Montrealers to receive the Ordre de Montréal this coming May 16th. The Ordre de Montréal is the city's highest honour, paying tribute to Montrealers who strive for the community and make an outstanding contribution to the city's development and renown.   

“I am very proud to announce the 2024 recipients of the Ordre de Montréal. Once again, it’s my pleasure to pay tribute to 17 Montrealers, who share a remarkable determination to build a better world. I invite you to learn more about these caring, courageous and talented people, from diverse backgrounds and origins, who stand out in a variety of fields. Each of them contributes to the well-being of our communities, inspires our young people, and has a positive impact on our society. Their commitment and their actions help to shape a stronger, more united and more inclusive metropolis,” said Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante. 

The 2024 recipients  

The title of Commander, the highest rank in the Order, will be awarded to:   

• Denis Claude Roy, haematologist in cell and gene therapy and full professor at Université de Montréal;  
• Anik Shooner, architect, co-founder and president of Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes;  
• Monique Simard, cultural executive, board chair of the Partenariat du Quartier des Spectacles.  

The title of Officer will be awarded to:  

• Line Chamberland, sociologist, professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal and founder of the Research Chair on Homophobia;  
• Marguerite Mendell, co-founder of the Karl Polanyi Institute and the Montréal Community Loan Association, professor emerita at Concordia University; 
• Luc Provost, creator of personality Mado Lamotte, a colourful pillar of the Montréal scene;  
• Norman Steinberg, philanthropist, vice-chair of BFL Canada; 
• J. Sebastian van Berkom, philanthropist, founder and partner, chairman and CEO of Van Berkom Global Asset Management; 
• Dorothy Williams, historian, specialist in Black history in Canada, author of The Road to Now: A History of Blacks in Montreal.  

Finally, the title of Knight will be awarded to:   

• Louise Bessette, concert pianist and teacher at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal;    
• Isabelle Boissé, executive director of the Institut Pacifique;    
• Mario Fortin, former executive director of the Beaubien, du Parc and du Musée cinemas;  
• Véronique Lacroix, conductor and founder of the Ensemble contemporain de Montréal;    
• Anne-Marie Mes-Masson, researcher and full professor, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal;  
• Menka Nagrani, choreographer, director and multidisciplinary artist, founding director of Les Productions des pieds des mains;    
• Nancy Neamtan, co-founder and former CEO of the Chantier de l'économie sociale;    
• Gabor Szilasi, photographer of Montréal life, mentor and professor.    

The Ordre de Montréal’s Advisory Council  

The Advisory Council of the Ordre de Montréal reviews the nominations received, makes recommendations for admission to the Order, and awards a rank (Commander, Officer, Knight) to each selected profile, based on the scope, originality and collective impact of his or her achievements. 

The order's advisory council is composed of the two co-chairs, Isabelle Hudon and Frantz Saintellemy, along with members working in various fields: Cadleen Désir, Steve Foster, Monika Ille, Emilie Nicolas, Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski and Louise Roy. 

About the Ordre de Montréal  

The Ordre de Montréal was created as city's highest honour, marking Montréal's 375th anniversary, and to complement the municipal symbols of the coat of arms (adopted in 1833) and the flag (adopted in 1938). This honorary distinction recognizes the merits of Montrealers who have distinguished themselves by either: 

• The eminence of their contribution to the city’s development 
• The prominence of their contribution to its local and international influence 
• The exemplary nature of their commitment to serving their fellow citizens 
• The remarkable quality of their professional achievements. 

For more information on the Ordre de Montréal, or to nominate an inspiring individual at any time, visit ville.montreal.qc.ca/ordre.