Nine members of the York University community have been honoured with the Order of Canada. The announcement was made on December 31, 2025 by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.
Recognized as one of the country’s highest honours, the Order of Canada acknowledges Canadians whose contributions, service and dedication has made a meaningful difference to the nation.
Order of Canada appointees
COMPANIONS
The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella (LL.D ’91), honorary degree recipient
Rosalie Silberman Abella is best known for becoming Canada’s youngest judge at the age of 29 with her appointment to the Ontario Family Court and the first Jewish woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. During her tenure, she’s made significant contributions to Canadian law, including developing the concept of “employment equity” and shaping the first decision made under the 1989 Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
OFFICERS
Roseann Runte, former faculty member
Roseann Runte is an author, former university professor and former president and vice-chancellor. She was the first woman to be named president of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Roseann is recognized for her leadership in strengthening Canada’s research capacity as Head of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. She also served as Glendon College’s principal from 1989 – 1994 where she led the implementation of several progressive programs.
MEMBERS
Kim Ruth Brooks (LL.M ’00), alumni
Kim Ruth Brooks is a tax lawyer, professor, human rights advocate and president of Dalhousie University. She’s recognized for advancing equity, accessibility and freedom of gender expression in higher education. As a leading voice for inclusive leadership, transformative education and research, Kim is inspiring change across the country.
Rosanna Caira (BA ’80), alumni
Rosanna Caira is a journalist, podcast host and mentor who has played pivotal role in empowering women to take on leadership roles in male-dominated sectors. As editor and publisher of Foodservice and Hospitality and Hotelier magazines, Rosanna directs the editorial and graphic content and is responsible for the editorial vision of the magazines, its five websites and varied tertiary products. A trailblazer in the hospitality and culinary industry, Rosanna also co-founded the Women in Tourism & Hospitality Summit to address the gender leadership gap and support women through networking, mentoring, training, education and financing.
Jane Laurine Darville (BAS ’89), alumni
Jane Laurine Darville is a health care administrator and community health specialist who has dedicated her career to supporting vulnerable populations through compassionate leadership. She was the founding board member and executive director of Toronto’s Casey House HIV/AIDS hospital, Canada’s only stand-alone HIV/AIDS specialty hospital with outpatient programming. Jane also served as the executive director of Vancouver’s Canuk Place Children’s Hospice, one of the world’s leading pediatric palliative care organizations.
Reesa Greenberg, former adjunct professor
Reesa Greenberg is an independent scholar and art historian recognized for her innovations in art history and museology. Her research focuses on exhibitions and display, and her work focuses on national, gendered, and ethnic identities; the contemporary artworld and war; and the production of historical consciousness in current museum practices. Reesa has also been central to advancing digital documentation of Canadian art and restoring Canada’s Pavilion in Venice.
James C. Hathaway (LL.B ’79), alumni, former faculty member
James C. Hathway is an internationally recognized scholar, author and former professor with a focus on international human rights law, international queer rights and international refugee law. Through his research, teaching and advocacy, he has helped transform global refugee protection and has had a lasting impact on refugee law. He is also a professor emeritus at the University of Michigan Law School and a former professor of law at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Charles A. Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability
Charles A. Hopkins is an internationally recognized leader in Education for Sustainable Development. His work has contributed significantly to placing sustainability as a core principle of education. In 1999, Charles assumed the role of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair at York where he collaborated with UNESCO, United Nations University, higher education institutions, various ministries of education in Asia, Europe and the Americas in the fields of education and sustainability. As Chair, Charles has also led efforts to integrate sustainable practices into both the curricula and operations of York University.
John Mark Willinsky (LL.D ’89), honorary degree recipient
John Mark Willinsky is an educator, researcher and activist who transformed equitable access to research. While he was a professor, he founded the Public Knowledge Project to increase access to scholarly research. The initiative is now the world’s most widely deployed scholarly publishing platform to publish freely accessible research. In 1989, John received an honorary degree from York for his contributions as a critical education scholar, for public engagement in educational and social issues, for original scholarship and for his passion for the intellectual life.
For more information about the Order of Canada program and to view the full list of appointments, visit https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/canadian-honours/order-canada.