(OTTAWA) Comedian and screenwriter Marc Messier is one of 85 Canadians, including ten Quebecers, named or promoted Friday to the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor in the country.
“I who have spent my life playing roles in movies, television series and acting in theater, listen, I’m honored to receive this. It makes me happy,” Marc Messier said in an interview with La Presse Canadienne.
His feats of arms are described in a less modest way in a document transmitted by the Office of the Governor General in which it is indicated that the distinction is awarded to him “for his remarkable contributions to the artistic and cultural landscape of Quebec, on stage and in the ‘screen “.
Marc Messier, who was appointed to the rank of officer, said he did not expect this honor. “Well, my tax return has a problem or something,” he said to himself, seeing the area code associated with Ottawa moments before being informed that he will be decorated.
The 75-year-old artist is well known for creating and performing, with his companions Michel Côté and Marcel Gauthier, Broue, a hugely successful humorous play with more than 3,300 performances. On screen, he notably distinguished himself in the soap operas Lance et compte, where he played Marc Gagnon, and La petite vie, where he played the role of Réjean. Marc Messier also played in the film Les Boys.
The Order of Canada announced only one promotion in its ranks on Friday, that of Toronto researcher Alan Bernstein, who goes from officer to companion, the highest rank.
Two other Canadians were made a companion: former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Clément Gascon, for his “exceptional contribution” to Canadian law and his tireless fight against the prejudices surrounding mental illness, and the former international president of the United Steelworkers Leo Gerard for his “vast and influential action” in defense of workers.
The other decorated Quebecers are entrepreneur Johnny N. Adams, child and youth worker Thomas Fredric Garfat, marine mammal researcher Robert Michaud, lawyer Peter O’Brien, patent specialist Robert E. Mitchell, entrepreneur and philanthropist Evan Price, farmer Gérard Trudeau and ethicist and philosopher Daniel Marc Weinstock.
In a press release, the governor general, Mary Simon, considered that the honorary distinctions do not sufficiently reflect the diversity of the population. She therefore asks Canadians to nominate “people who truly reflect who we are and who we want to be”.
“The nominations still do not sufficiently represent the excellence of women, Francophones, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds,” she writes. We also want to learn more about the contributions of Indigenous Peoples, Black communities, and 2SLGBTQIA communities so that we can fully recognize the richness of our country. »
The Order of Canada aims to recognize the “extraordinary” contribution of Canadians to their country. It was established in 1967 and has the motto “They desire a better country”.
