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Victoria’s Jim Munro among 12 in B.C. named to Order of Canada

A total of 12 British Columbians have been named to the Order of Canada, including Victoria's Jim Munro for his "championship of countless Canadian writers and for his sustained community engagement as an independent bookseller," mining pioneer Norma
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Artist and native designer Dorothy Grant at her Vancouver store in 2010.

A total of 12 British Columbians have been named to the Order of Canada, including Victoria's Jim Munro for his "championship of countless Canadian writers and for his sustained community engagement as an independent bookseller," mining pioneer Norman Keevil, jazz vocalist Eleanor Collins and Haida fashion icon Dorothy Grant.

The 12 recipients were among 86 new appointments to the Order of Canada announced by Governor General David Johnston. They will be invited to a ceremony at a later date to accept their insignia.

Keevil, who was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, is a mining industry pioneer, entrepreneur, builder and philanthropist in B.C. who helped grow Teck into a major resource company.

He also donated generously to educational institutions and made a significant contribution to the development of the Mining Association of Canada's Environmental Policy.

Born in 1919, Collins, who was named a Member of the Order of Canada and is often called 'Vancouver's First Lady of Jazz,' performed in the city for many decades both on the CBC and at variety shows and clubs.

Collins, who was often compared to jazz great Lena Horne, is not only known for her pioneering achievements as a jazz vocalist. She is also being honoured for breaking down barriers and fostering race relations in the mid-20th century.

Grant, also named a Member of the Order of Canada, is being honoured for her contributions to the fashion industry as a Haida artist, designer and mentor.

She built an international following for her Haida-infused couture clothing and accessories lines.

Other British Columbians named Members of the Order of Canada were: Kim Baird, Tsawwassen, for her contributions to the social and economic well-being of her people, notably in securing a historic urban treaty; Marcia Ann Boyd, Vancouver, for her contributions to the field of dentistry and for her stewardship of the profession; Vickie Cammack and Allan B. Etmanski, both of Surrey, for their success in empowering persons with disabilities to participate in and contribute to Canadian society; Antony Holland, Gabriola Island, for his achievements as an actor and teacher, notably for founding Langara College's Studio 58 to cultivate the next generation of Canadian performers; Roy Shephard, Brackendale, for his pioneering work in the field of exercise science and for promoting the health benefits of physical activity to Canadians; Karl Siegler, Powell River, for his tireless promotion of Canada's small publishing houses and for his efforts to safeguard their interests and welfare; and Alan Robert Twigg, Vancouver, for his countless contributions to the promotion of British Columbian literature and publishing.

Established in 1967, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to Canada. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society and 6,000 people in total have been invested in the Order.